Do you Christmas shop all year?

[furb & dez]

Wow, that's a bit judgemental ? so in your eyes, the only gift worth getting is one that's expensive and at full price ? seems like you're maybe the immature one.

Perhaps you'd care to point out where I said that? Or how one could even come to that conclusion based on my post? Perhaps I'm not the judgemental one.

 

[MagiKitty]

Breaking your bank to buy "junk" because everyone expects you to do so is pretty immature, really. If you can't afford to give gifts... don't. QUOTE]

I read this as judgemental. You assumed that because some people buy things on sale or on clearance, its "junk". I personally choose to buy things on sale when I find them, not because I can't afford to give gifts, but because its better for my budget and my longterm lifestyle and goals. Or perhaps its better to purchase that fantastic gift when I see it and not try to find something later on.

 

[nunzia]

Good example just today! Went to the mall to see Library's new used book store (which really sucks because now they have jacked up prices to stupid) and so I went into Hallmark to check out clearance which I always do. Jim Shore Snowman, $25, marked down to $15. My best friend really likes Jim Shore and has a Snowman Christmas room so perfectly great gift that I would have bought at full price now $10 cheaper..last week bought some great items from Bath and Body which my DD and DDILs like, then bought some bags from the Thirty-one gifts sale to put them in..more great gifts at big savings..works for me

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

If I see something that I know is perfect for someone, I'll buy it if it's a really good sale. I'm living on a college student's budget, so if I spread everything out, I don't have to pinch pennies as much in December. So, yes, I do shop for Christmas year round. I also plan birthday presents months in advance- I know what I'm getting, and I buy it as soon as its on sale.

 

[Gigi22]

Nope--I have cut my Christmas shopping down to presents for my DNieces and DNephews. No one else gets a Christmas present. Since my youngest DSis and her family all moved to the U.S. last year, I just make a deposit into her bank account and she does all the Christmas shopping. For the older DNiece and DNephew, I mail them both gift cards, because they both seem to have issues with cashing cheques promptly--last year they got gift cards for Best Buy.

 

[jacksmomma]

I ALWAYS shop ahead. It just makes more sense for my budget. I shop ahead for birthdays and Christmas. I have 2 storage totes in my garage that are "present tubs". Any gifts go in there so that nothing is lost. I label the gifts with who it is for and how much I paid. Then when Christmas or the birthday draws near I can pull out the tubs and figure out what else I need to fill it out. I am always done Christmas shopping by Black Friday.

As far as interests changing, that is a hard one. I find, if I buy less trendy things and more "classic interest" or quality name toys, they are always popular. I get things like Melissa and Doug, Lego, Trio, board games, etc.

It also helps to know the markdown cycles of stores in your area so that you can get to the store on the given day and reep the most benefit.

Clearance shopping really is my sport!

 

[sydneysmom]

Perhaps you'd care to point out where I said that? Or how one could even come to that conclusion based on my post? Perhaps I'm not the judgemental one.

sorry, I'm not going to play into this. re-read your post, it's a bit condescending to people on a budget. have a wonderful night !

 

[gracie1]

So for those of you who have started shopping, what are you buying?? Maybe it will help with ideas for everyone!

I have started as well. I cashed in some rewards and have starbucks gift cards and have bought a couple stocking stuffers. I have also bought an electric candle warmer....I fell in love with these and they sell them at Walmart for $15! And I hit a 30% off sale at the pet store and bought my pups quite a few toys for christmas! Their almost done

 

[mom2t]

Bought a lego set with coupon at Kohls that my son wants - he's into star wars and it was pricey 65 without my 30% - It also helps that I earned Kohls cash. I will use it to buy underwear to put back for Christmas a staple gift in stockings from Santa. My son wants a TV for his room so I will be sticking back money. I bought end of the season clothes in Jan and Feb. and look for deals on books that he loves. I watch year round for sales. We exchange every little in my family. We started several years ago before harder financial times. My parents downsized from 2 to 1 house after Thanksgiving and then each had knee replacements in 12 weeks. We decided to only buy for the 3 kids in the family and just spend time together as a family that day. It was the best Christmas. We focused on the real reason for the season. We don't exchange at work and instead take a needy child from a local school our church supports and buy for him instead. I have a 9 year old so we allow him to shop for what the child needs.

 

[mmforme2009]

I buy the generic things all year long because what kids like change as quickly as the direction of the wind....

To keep myself restrained/organized and not over shop, I make a list after Christmas (and birthdays, etc.) thinking ahead for next year. I have a "gift closet" that I use to organize things I pick up when I see a really good sale or even better clearance so I can easily see what I've already picked up, etc. and it works for us especially those last minute things that you didn't plan into your budget.

Also, I'll start picking up gift cards to Wal-Mart, etc. through out the year and when Christmas comes around I'll either give them as gifts to old kids/teens or use them to buy other gift items, etc.

 

[mjantz]

I do. I tend to buy when we are on vacation. I bought my nephews t-shirts from Turkey & my MIL some pottery from there. For my kids, I will only spend 1/2 my budget until about a month before the holiday (birthday or Christmas). This lets me get some cheap 'standards' but also puts back money for those last minute 'I've GOT to have it Mom!!' things. I keep everything in an app on my iPhone so I'm reminded that I only have 'X' budgeted to spend.
I don't buy 'junk' & I don't buy stuff just because its on sale. I actually spent less than I had planned in Turkey because I could not find gifts for a few people.

 

[peanut12392]

I shop all year. I dont really plan to do it, but if something is a good price that I know someone will want, I go ahead and get it. I have already picked up the itunes cards that were 15% off at best buy, and a 4000 point xbox card that was 0nly 39.99. I have also purchased ipad 1s for my teens. They were at an excellent price because the ipad2s came out. My teens will be very happy to get these, and once thses are sold out, they will no longer be available! I also LOVE to be in the stores at Christmas time, but it is nice just to take my time and enjoy the decorations, without the pressure of having to find certain things!

 

[figment3258]

I don't shop all year but this month American girl had some great clearance stuff that my girls wanted so I bought it a tucked it away for Christmas and birthdays.

 

[21hearts]

I try to pick up things here and there through out the year for Christmas (and birthdays). Like last month Zhu Zhu Pets were on sale at Target for $4 so I picked up one for each of my kids, then I got home and realized that my 2nd cousins sons birthday is in November and he loved them as well. So I picked up one for him. The next week I went back & the play sets were on sale so I got a small one for my 2nd cousins son & one medium sized one for both of my kids. I probably spent $30 total on all of it.

 

[gracie1]

Wow, you guys have gotten some great deals already! I am so glad that I am already ahead. I feel way less pressured. I have a ton of Staples rewards so I am trying to figure out what I would like to purchase from there. By August I will probably have enough for a new computer.....so thinking that may be my moms gift this year.
My dad wants a scanner....and I have amazon rewards so I am more than likely going to purchase him that.

Anyone have any knowledge in scanners?? The police scanners....not computer scanners

 

[sk!mom]

Well, now that many stores are strict about returns, I don't like to buy stuff too far in advance. If something's broken, or doesn't fit & I bought it in March to give to someone for Christmas, many stores won't let you return or exchange it. and like others have noted, kids change their minds a lot. So I'd rather put money aside & shop closer to the holidays.

This is also why I do not shop ahead. I would hate to give someone something and if it needed to be returned they couldn't because it was 6 months to a year old.

When my kids were young, I would sometimes buy a few things ahead for them if I found a great deal on something that I was sure they would love but it wasn't a decision to start shopping it was normally just stumbling across something. I rarely do that anymore. Now they tend to want expensive electronics and it would be a disaster if I'd had something too long to return it if it was defective. DD15 is very into fashion so I wait until the last minute as you never know what she will decide, "she's always wanted."

Honestly, the last few years the deals close to Christmas have been so great that I don't think I would have saved much by shopping early. As far as time goes, I do probably 90% online in my pj's anyway. We take a few trips to the shopping areas just to get into the spirit not to do much actual shopping.

 

[Traveliz]

So for those of you who have started shopping, what are you buying?? Maybe it will help with ideas for everyone!

I have started as well. I cashed in some rewards and have starbucks gift cards and have bought a couple stocking stuffers. I have also bought an electric candle warmer....I fell in love with these and they sell them at Walmart for $15! And I hit a 30% off sale at the pet store and bought my pups quite a few toys for christmas! Their almost done

I have a just out of college daughter that wanted new luggage last year - but it didn't work out. Today there was a set on sale until 1 at Macy's for 59.99. I had the ten off coupon but it was a super buy so shouldn't count but there had been a long delay at the cash register so they gave me ten off anyway. So I got a set of luggage for 54.00. Its great but not super great - but she only goes on overnights or trips home so it should be perfect!

Liz

 

[S. C.]

Always!

 

[arthur06]

My DS10 is really into his Xbox right now. He is already saving his money and saying what he wants for Christmas.

He has already asked for a new TV, mini-fridge for his room, Kinect, and more memory for his Xbox.

He will get a gift card from my mom for Christmas and maybe the Kinect from my in-laws.

We are waiting for the back to school sales for the mini fridge.

My other boys are into other things (they are 4,2) so, we just wait on them. They don't really ask for anything that might break the bank.

 

[MomToOne]

I buy gifts for adults whenever I stumble across a good gift for that person at a good price. Adult's interests don't change that quickly, so something that is great for them in March is usually still great for them in December. I already have something for my mother, and I have plans to add a photo book of pictures from our cruise this summer (and I already have a get-it-free coupon for that ). I also have my eye on something for our sibling "gag gift" exchange, and for my brother's mother and father in-law (LONG story, but there are reasons I give to them as well) - when I see a good deal on those come up, I will hit the purchase button.

Kids are a bit more challenging. I pick up small gifts for a few friend's children here and there as I find something I think is good. I don't know these kids that well, so I have to go with gifts that are generally good for kids of their ages. I have most of those gifts already bought, although I haven't found anything I am happy with for 2 of them yet, so my eyes are still peeled. I also pick up a few things for my DD11 here and there - esp. stocking stuffers - but I hold the bulk of the purchasing for her "Santa List" (no, she doesn't believe anymore but we still call it that ). I hold off on my nephews too until I hear what is on their lists, although I may very well chose to go "off list" if I think of something else well-suited for them.

My daughter also does a craft-type gift for everyone in our family every year. We are starting to think about just what that might be this year. Figuring it out early gives me time to catch whatever supplies we will need at a good price.