Having a hard time stockpiling gifts....

[skip323]

Add me in on this! I usually have gifts hidden all over the place!! Plus I have a dd with a bday in August and I have maybe one thing for her. It has been a tough year! DH is out of work and he was our major source of income. We are lucky that we have been able to keep up, for the most part, with bills. House isn't in danger or anything but I am worried about just getting some basic gifts. It doesn't have to be much but I would like a couple of great things for each kiddo! Tough times!

 

[lucyanna girl]

I have never been one who wanted to give gift cards, it just didn't seem right somehow - like it wasn't worth the effort to search out a gift. This may be the year to give it a try, it seems to be harder and harder to come up with gift ideas. Maybe buy a couple of gift cards each month and put them up. I'll need to research and see if they lose any value over time.

Penny

 

[rumrunnergirl]

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[TheBeadPirate]

I have never been one who wanted to give gift cards, it just didn't seem right somehow - like it wasn't worth the effort to search out a gift. This may be the year to give it a try, it seems to be harder and harder to come up with gift ideas. Maybe buy a couple of gift cards each month and put them up. I'll need to research and see if they lose any value over time.

Penny

My family was of this same mindset. I LOVE to shop and find a deal, but didn't usually have the extra money to do it. So I explained to them that it wasn't just a giftcard they were giving me- it was that complete shopping experience that I probably wouldn't have had otherwise.

Since then I've gotten giftcards for holidays, graduation, birthdays- and can hit the sales and get what I want and it probably goes further than anything else they could have given me.

However, that said, I have a small stash- more like hostess type gifts and secret santa things, and a couple of toys for donation- just so I don't have to go brave the crowds to get them when the time comes.

 

[Colinsmom]

I have quite a bit from the Barnes and Noble $1 toy sale several months back. But last year, the best toy sales were online (mostly amazon) between T'giving and Christmas. By then, I knew what the kids wanted for Christmas and I didn't end up with the stockpile problems that others describe - having too many of the wrong gifts because of buying too far ahead. Not to mention the time and money saved from free shipping! So I'd suggest saving even $10/week starting now and doing your shopping online between T'giving and Christmas!

 

[mickeynminnie08]

We are Always on budget as I only work part time. I would LOVE to say that I start christmas shopping way early, but it just isn't possible. My three children have birthdays in July, August, and September so I cannot even think christmas until after September. Usually every year I start in October (I have 10 neices and nephews, and 3 young cousins) that I feel obligated to buy for so usually I start with them. I have gotten by every year with spending 5-10 on each, but that still adds up. My kids are now older (15,14,11) and the generic gifts just end up unopened and stuffed in a closet. Gift cards are a great idea, but I always feel like they are very impersonal.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I've actually made a decision to try to STOP stockpiling gifts, at least not quite so far in advance.

The problem I have is that the things I buy in June that seem perfect for a Christmas present for someone don't seem perfect anymore by the time December rolls around. I'm talking mainly for kids here - my daughter and my nephews. Then I end up spending yet more money in November/December to get them "perfect" gifts. So the money spent in June/July/August is a waste, no matter how good a deal!

So this year, I plan to purchase early only a few, very carefully considered gifts for my daughter that I am 150% sure will still be right at Christmas, and a few cheap filler-type stocking items (75% off BBW body spray for example) as deals come up. Otherwise, I am holding off this year. But not searching out deals when I know it is "deal" season is just about killing me...

Thanks for pointing this out, that we can sometimes buy gifts that are no longer on a child's list! I think I will just start saving up some $$$ weekly so I will have a stockpile of money for gift buying

 

[Cynt]

Normally by this time of the year I have 75% of presents bought. This year I don't know why but I just haven't. I have 1 gift for dd - an American Girl doll outfit. I feel sick thinking about all the gifts yet to buy! I am going to cut way back this year on the amount of gifts given. For example : Last year I sale shopped and each niece got 10 presents! I spent less than $75 on each but hit Target clearance and Walmart 90% off toy sales! This year I plan on 2 gifts each. DD always get a huge pile. This year she wants more American Girl stuff- praying for good cyber Monday deals!

10 presents to your nieces!?!?! I would have 10 years worth of presents for each of them at that rate. LOL!!!

 

[Metsfan520]

Thanks for pointing this out, that we can sometimes buy gifts that are no longer on a child's list! I think I will just start saving up some $$$ weekly so I will have a stockpile of money for gift buying

That's a good idea! Kind of like the old fashioned "Christmas Club" banks used to have.

I stopped stockpiling gifts a few years ago. The kids would change their minds, they got bigger so the clothes didn't fit, etc. And now many stores limit the return period. For instance, Toys R Us allows 90 days. So that 'great' bargain I got in June can't be returned in December. And the last few years, I've gotten fantastic deals in November & December.

 

[heatherwillmom]

I only have a few things so far. My kids are now teenagers & make a detailed list but not usually until after DD's birthday Oct 4. I watch for sales & clearance items a lot. I have to admit that I sometimes find items later that I forgot about. We recently moved & I was cleaning out the attic. I have found brand new toys that my kids have long out-grown. I guess I will put them on Ebay. Most 16 y/o's don't want barbie clothes anymore.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

 

[Pigeon]

My kids are getting to the age where stockpiling is difficult because the stuff they like is very specific or doesn't go on sale. I used to be able to do most of their shopping way early with clearance stuff, but that doesn't work anymore. I did buy a VB bag for each of them during the last big sale, but that's about it.

What's helped me most is scaling back the number of adults we exchange gifts with. We stopped with all of dh's siblings and their families (my family does a lottery, which isn't bad) last year, which was great. We both have huge families and none of us need more junk.

I also feel no obligation to give every service person I have contact with a gift for doing their job. I always laugh when reading the threads that go something like:

"What would be a great holiday gifts for the lawn service staff, my hairdresser, the high school cafeteria workers, the guy at the deli counter, my attorney's secretary, the plumber and her assistant, and the entire troop of Boy Scouts that collected my cans and bottles for their annual drive? I don't want it to look cheap, but am trying to keep it under $3.63 per person."

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I stopped stockpiling gifts a couple years ago. Now the only gifts I buy early are things that I know I'm going to buy that are a really great deal, like last year when I bought my 6yo his nintendo ds. This year I have been on the lookout for a good leapster deal for my niece so if I had found that I would have picked it up, but no luck. I already have teacher gifts for this year because after Christmas last year I found a great deal on pyrex baking dishes and holiday oven mitts. Other than that I'll start the rest of my shopping in Sept. after school and birthday shopping is over for the year.

ETA: I also stopped stockpiling because my kids would end up with a bunch of toys that they didn't even play with and would only play with what they really wanted in the first place so that's all I buy now. We went to quality over quantity, they don't get as many gifts, but they love what they get.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Yes we usually do this, I usually start in Aug and I am done before Black Friday even starts (except for DD, I usually wait as she changes the things she likes). But this year our Disney trip is in Aug and we are currently saving/buying things for that.

 

[xbatman]

I've actually made a decision to try to STOP stockpiling gifts, at least not quite so far in advance.

I've decided that this year is my last too. We'll be at WDW for Black Friday this year and the first week of December, so I have bought ahead this year.

I've told DD7 that she won't be getting much from us this year since we'll be at WDW in December and get a few things there. She'll still get a few things that she still wants closer to Christmas (probably DS games since she just got one yesterday for her birthday - I bought it on sale for last Christmas but decided she was getting too much and saved it for her birthday! )

 

[MrsPete]

I definitely stockpile gifts!

I totally agree that it was easier when my kids were younger; for example, I have tucked away a Fisher Price airplane for my nephew (who'll be 2 next Christmas). There's little chance that a boy that age will dislike such a toy, and if it happens to be a duplicate, he can have it for his grandparents' house or his mom can re-gift it.

My girls are teens now, so their wants are quite different, but I can still pick up things throughout the year: necklaces or watches, art supplies, lotions . . . those are all going to be appreciated. I tend to find lots of little things for stockings throughout the year: air freshener for the car, fancy pencils, an umbrella that folds up to nothing, fancy socks. Even if you knock out stockings through clearance items, that's time and money that you don't have to expend at Christmas time (and I'm not sure which is harder to find in December, time or money!). Oh, and books; I know their taste, so I love to get them books -- often brand-new from ebay. And board games. That kind of thing isn't hard to choose ahead of time.

As for clothing, I buy when I see it on clearance, and I don't worry too much about whether it'll be on their list. Every present doesn't have to be exactly THE THING for which they were hoping. I tend to stick to fairly classic things, so a plain blue sweater, or a scarf/gloves set, or a pair of PJs -- they may not turn out to be THE PRESENT, but they'll still use them and enjoy them. I haven't raised them to think that every Christmas means getting everything they want!

I don't tend to buy things like CDs or video games (although my girls love those things) ahead of time because I don't want to end up with duplicate items, and those are the things that my teens might buy for themselves throughout the year. Also, I can remember that I bought a blue sweater . . . I can't remember which Jonas Brothers CD my girls wanted (or which one I bought for a birthday). That may just be me.

For my own kids, I do always wait 'til December and try hard to get them the 1-2 items that they really, really want. Although every item doesn't have to be a bell-ringer, I do want to try to have those couple special items.

Even for birthdays, I don't have a problem stockpiling things. Now that my girls are teens, I look for things like bracelets and earings on clearance. They're smaller to store than the Fisher Price airplane, and I always have something (that looks nicer than its pricetag) when my girls are invited to a birthday party.

As for it being harder to stockpile these days: I think this is true for two reasons. The first is obvious. We all are living on less these days. Whether you've been hit by rising insurance prices, job loss, or just general inflation, we're all in the same boat. The second reason is that stores seem to have less for clearance these days. I think they're ordering more conservatively. In years past, they'd order oodles of this-and-that, not wanting to run out, and if they clearanced some . . . oh, well. Now they seem to be ordering less because there's considerably less left after each holiday. They seem to be more concerned with being able to see as much as possible at full-price (or minor sale), and they'd rather tell a few people, "Sorry, we're out" rather than have 100 boxes that are marked down 75%.

If you're trying to stockpile, I think the answer is the same as it's always been: Budget a little bit for gifts each month, and buy when you find a good deal. If it's less than in the past, then it's less . . . but putting aside something now will make a difference in December.

What's helped me most is scaling back the number of adults we exchange gifts with. We stopped with all of dh's siblings and their families (my family does a lottery, which isn't bad) last year, which was great. We both have huge families and none of us need more junk.

I also feel no obligation to give every service person I have contact with a gift for doing their job. I always laugh when reading the threads that go something like:

I couldn't agree more! Christmas shouldn't be stressful, and we make it that way when we pressure ourselves to give the perfect gift and/or to give to everyone. Giving less allows more time for focusing on family time and Christ's birth.

If you feel that you must gift to every teacher, the bus driver, the scout leader, etc, etc, etc, I think the best idea is to make homemade goodies (everyone loves them) and DUPLICATE the items. If you're making cinamon bread, make it a whole Saturday and make loads of loaves. Don't try to make chocolate chip cookies AND gingerbread houses AND soup mix . . . pick one thing and repeat it.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I just bought a ton of toys today from Kmart's website - they are having an additional 30% off select clearance. also, if you buy more than $50, use KMART5OFF50 for $5 off. - I got 14 items for $99! And 8 kids done!

 

[HeatherC]

Not stockpiling gifts, but rather cash! I have my direct deposit ING account that I use for Christmas. I have found that as the kids get older, they don't really tell me what they want until right before the holidays or change their minds. So this way I just take the money and shop right beforehand.