My christmas shopping is turning into a nightmare. (vent, vent)

[luvmarypoppins]

First of all let me say I only shop for the 3 ds as almost all our family is deceased. I just bought our prison fellowship angel boy his wish list stuff last sun. I planned on doing the ds shopping this week. I did no black friday shopping because I was at the er, then we left for a week in disney, then I had 4 days of co chair and prep and participating in the christmas store at ds school. Then this week one ds was sick so there went a day at dr, pharmacy etc. So yest. I finally got to go shopping and my car breaks to the point where it is dangerous and I only take the back roads home. The steering wheel will barely turn, the air bag light is going off, the horn is going off for no reason etc. Now today I am stuck home while dh has my car in the shop. I cant stand shopping with the crowds on the week end. I dont even know if they have in stock what the ds want. They asked for some video games. I did manage to get to 2 stores and get them some clothes. I told them, sorry but dont expect too much because of everything that has been happening. I am really not a big fan of online shopping but looks like I might have to consider this. Well I did manage to get 4 bags of toys for dh to take to his work toy drive but they were already in the house. All I want to do is shop for the ds and get it over with and I am running out of time. Tomm. is their bowling league so there goes a huge chunk of time etc. By this time I should be done. Oh well, thanks for letting me vent. This is definetely not a Mary Poppins moment, because nothing is going perfect for sure.

 

[floridafam]

I do 90% of my shopping online and I LOVE it! It's so easy and it gets delivered right to your door.

I'm sorry for everything that has happened. I hope everything works out.

 

[C.Ann]

Two hints.. Go out at dinner time - between 5 and 7 - I've ALWAYS found the stores close to empty then.. Second hint - look for the stores in your area that are open 24 hours during the Christmas season.. 11 p.m. seems to be a good time..

 

[clh2]

I know you mentioned that online shopping is not your favorite thing to do, but I will admit, but for me, it takes the stress out of Christmas shopping.

Good luck if you decide to hit the shopping areas tomorrow! Is there any chance you could do any of this early next week? I know some of the malls open at 8:00 am around my neck of the woods. And at that hour of the day, parking is easy, and the salespeople are helpful, and the crowds just aren't there yet.

 

[Lady Belle]

If you know what you want to buy him, try calling around to the stores to make sure they have it/them in stock before you drive out. You may even be able to but some things on hold, so you can just stop at the service desk and pick up your items!

Also, if you can't avoid shopping this weekend, try going out 1st thing in the morning, as soon as the store/mall opens. You'll get a better parking spot, it (hopefully) won't be as crowded, and with any luck, you'll be home before 12 noon and it won't feel like you blew the whole day shoping!

Hope your car feels better soon (and that it won't cost too much)!

 

[ChristmasElf]

TARGET. they will no doubt let you at leasy put a BIG dent into your shopping!! They open at 8 am and I believe they will be opening even earlier this weekend.

 

[mudnuri]

Two hints.. Go out at dinner time - between 5 and 7 - I've ALWAYS found the stores close to empty then.. Second hint - look for the stores in your area that are open 24 hours during the Christmas season.. 11 p.m. seems to be a good time..

I agree! DBF and I were at walmart at 1130 last saturday night, and I think other than the people stocking the shelves, we were the only people in the store! It was great!

Brandy

 

[cats mom]

If you MUST go this weekend I agree that you either need to be there 1st thing in the morning or wait and go late at night. Most stores have extended hours.

We got to Dillards last night at about 8:30pm (they were open until 10pm) It was almost desserted then, although the saleslady said it had been crazy-busy most of the day.

Good thing too... since DD needed a dress for winter formal tonight.
Not sure I could have dealt with that whole process and the crowds too!

Good Luck to you, I hope you find the perfect gifts!

 

[ilovepcot]

Not sure I understand what a "prison fellowship angel boy" is. (Thought only men were in prison.) Really am confused but I somehow feel you've done something noble here. Did you not see anything at all for your DS's when you purchased for the "angel boy" last Sunday?????

 

[powellrj]

Not sure I understand what a "prison fellowship angel boy" is. (Thought only men were in prison.) Really am confused but I somehow feel you've done something noble here. Did you not see anything at all for your DS's when you purchased for the "angel boy" last Sunday?????

I am not the OP, but our church does prison fellowship angel trees and what it means is you get gifts for the inmates children so they don't go without gifts at christmas.

 

[JCJRSmith]

Two hints.. Go out at dinner time - between 5 and 7 - I've ALWAYS found the stores close to empty then.. Second hint - look for the stores in your area that are open 24 hours during the Christmas season.. 11 p.m. seems to be a good time..

Just don't go into Wal*Mart at 3 a.m. You see some REALLY scary stuff then

 

[ilovepcot]

Just don't go into Wal*Mart at 3 a.m. You see some REALLY scary stuff then

That must have been *ME* you saw at 3 a.m. I was having a good time trying on all the santa hats and putting stockings on my feet! And DH's friend was pushing him in a buggy! Oh yes, LOTS of fun! We do it every year and I imagine the cameras stay on us the entire time.

And thanks POWELLRJ for the explanation about the "angel boy".

 

[Marseeya]

DH and I are planning on doing all our shopping Christmas Eve day. That's the only time we'll really have to do anything with the funeral coming up and us being out of town.

 

[EthansMom]

I dislike shopping under normal circumstances and absolutely HATE shopping in December. I agree with others that you should give on-line shopping a try. Stick with reputable companies (Amazon, J.C. Penney's, etc. -- same one's you'd shop at the stores IRL) and check for delivery dates for shipped items and you should be fine. If you shop online at websites with real-life stores, then returns can be taken directly to the stores instead of paying for return shipping.

If your boys are older, you may want to consider gift cards or cash so they can pick out whatever they want.

 

[diznygirl]

ON-LINE SHOPPING - it's the way to go! Shop in your jammies after the kids are asleep, things arrive at your house in a box to hide in the closet.

Next year I may actually pay extra for the gift wrap - totally decadent!

 

[DMRick]

Next year I may actually pay extra for the gift wrap - totally decadent!

Just don't pay extra for it in British Pounds! I did my sons shopping on Amazon.UK, and whew..that 3.85L to wrap each item was cheap, until I did the conversion (after I hit confirm, of course), added the s/h to the wrapping (and I might ask why, do they charge s/h on wrapping?), and the 21% VAT tax (their version of sales tax). Man, I could have practically bought airline tickets for him to come home from Ireland for Christmas, for what those gifts ended up costing LOL. When we visit him in February, I'm going around and buying different gift cards, to mail for their birthdays and anniversarys and next years Christmas gifts (once I make sure they don't depriciate or expire within a year)!