What/Where/When Do You Start Buying For Christmas?

[ReneeQ]

Well, I don't have children, so I don't have any BIG gifts to get. I shop all year long, for all occasions. I don't "go out" shopping, but if I'm out for something else, and see a great deal, I will pick it up. For instance, I was at Sam's Club last night to get protein bars, and they had the Wolfgang Puck roaster (large rectangle pan, with a rack that fits in it, large enough for a turkey), regularly $29.99, on clearance for $9.81. So I got one. I might give it to my MIL, or I might use it as my $10 "Dirty Santa" gift at my DH's family party. Or I might keep it for myself!

I do go out the day after Christmas for a few things. I started my MIL on some Lenox Christmas china about 10 years ago, and a department store here puts all their Christmas at 75% the day after Christmas, including the serving pieces to her Christmas china. I always get something and save it for the next year for part of her gift. I got the $90 platter for $23, and the $100 chip and dip for $25! I also have a nephew that collects nutcrackers, so I usually get a $40 one there for $10 and save it to the next year.

I used to hit the January and July Target toy sales, but have about stopped that, as the nieces and nephews are getting too old for "toys."

What saves me is I use the closet in our home office strictly as a gift closet. DH put shelves in there, floor to ceiling, and it's nothing but gifts. A shelf for Christmas, a shelf for BDs, a shelf for other, etc. I also have a spreadsheet on my computer for BDs and one for Christmas. Everyone we give to is listed, and as I buy things, I enter it by their name, and what I have spent. Once I'm done, I note that on my sheet. That way I don't overspend, or forget what I've bought.

 

[disneysnowflake]

Right after Christmas we purchased those Totes digital coin banks on clearance for next year. We've used ours for several years, and I think the kids in the family will have fun counting their change in the bank. They'll get the bank with batteries, a $10 bill and 4 quarters to put in their bank. That solved 6 Christmas gifts for 2013.

 

[Traveliz]

I start the day after Christmas which is my very favorite shopping day of the year. I have a book (5 x 7) with red cover that says NICE on it that I got at Michael's a few years ago that I use as my Christmas shopping "bible" I list all of the people I am shopping for along with ideas, I double check when the item has been wrapped. I have a craft room with a couple of closets where I can store items and I also wrap (horrors I know) year round and then we take boxes of the wrapped items to the attic. For stocking stuffers I use an individual bath and body bag (that smallish size) and throw things in there as I get them.

I get many/much of my items when I am out mystery shopping or bargain shopping (CVS great for the stocking stuffers and, etc). I also accumulate gift cards from my points and e-rewards, viggle and coke rewards to use a gifts throughout the year.

I start (for the most part) with peripherals (those are the people I get gifts for that are not in my family) and often do the same thing for several of them.

I think the most important thing is to listen to what people say all year round and then choose gifts appropriate to the person and their wants/needs.

I am sure I am sounding wayyy too organized on this but I really like to be done with Christmas by Halloween (never am) or Tday SO (and here is the important part) that I can enjoy the Christmas Season. I HATE it when people can't attend parties, plays, shows, church events etc because they have to go shopping. I love to sit down and really enjoy the movies, music, tree and special activities...that said pretty much every other year I am at Walgreens on the 24th for stocking stuffers BUT NOT THIS YEAR I TELL YA!

Oh and when the Facebook posts start about why all the Christmas stuff out now I remind them all that come December when they are driving round and round in circles complaining at that mall that they can't find a parking place; they can thank me when they finally get that parking spot because I will be home watching movies and drinking hot chocolate.

Liz

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

These ideas are AWESOME! I love the Christmas Bible... the see through bag to store stocking stuffers... all of these ideas!!!

One idea that I did this past year for our daycare workers that watch my kids... I took a bag of popcorn, a packet of SBux hot chocolate, and some redbox codes and wrapped them up... was a very cheap gift for a stay at home movie night. Who doesn't love Redbox, right? I think next year I'll give the little Yankee Candle car freshener and a car wash certificate... something that generally isn't first on someone's "to do" list but would be appreciated.

I also have a craft room and I'm going to start a little gift stash... I am stalking the Valentine's mark down at Walmart because they had packs of 7 (I think) character lip glosses... they are half off now and I'm waiting for them to go lower so I can snag them up for Christmas gifts for the daycare class of my yougest... they had Hello Kitty, Disney Princess, Spiderman, and Marvel Superheroes... add a few pieces of candy and a cute ribbon and viola!

Keep the ideas coming! I love it!

 

[dreamin_disney]

My mind was set on buying stuff throughout the year but I've changed my mind. I'm so into paying off debt, doing the weekly saving challenge and setting aside for xmas fund acct. I decided I will only buy stuffing stockers for dd and dh only if it a limited item or a great deal.

I started late last year like after Dec 15th. This year I will start in Nov and have a list. Thanks to someone on this board that suggested iphone app called santas bag. I will use that to keep track of list and budget.

 

[gracie1]

My mind was set on buying stuff throughout the year but I've changed my mind. I'm so into paying off debt, doing the weekly saving challenge and setting aside for xmas fund acct. I decided I will only buy stuffing stockers for dd and dh only if it a limited item or a great deal.

I started late last year like after Dec 15th. This year I will start in Nov and have a list. Thanks to someone on this board that suggested iphone app called santas bag. I will use that to keep track of list and budget.

I love having the iphone app, because if I'm out with someone and they mention something they like, I can just type it in there. And keep track of the spending and prices. I use the gift free app. Plus I can see what I purchased them last year so I don't duplicate it again

 

[4 Ears]

Stopped at DH store a few days ago and he said look what I bought for OFS for Christmas! I couldn't believe it! So, we have started lol

 

[DAISYDUCKRN]

I am muslim so we dont celebrate christmas we celebrate eid-ul-fitr at the end of ramadan

I have not heard of this celebration. Can you please explain how this event/holiday is celebrated. Do you give gifts. If I may ask, how do you handle the Christmas season with young children (sorry, not sure if you have any children at all)
Thanks, I like to learn about other culture/religion holidays and traditions.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I've started already, just a couple of items and will wrap them shortly too, just haven't found the time yet. A handmade Apron as she loves to bake cupcakes, she's going to be a teacher, so books for her classroom in a great tote, items that I know they will love, but not just "stuff". I also have all my wrapping paper that I bought at Target at the end of the season for cheap so that's helpful to keep all the gifts hidden. All my shopping so far is for my oldest DD19, the two littles ones don't have anything yet and neither does DH.

I love shopping throughout the year and it also doesn't feel like its a job for me it a way of just constantly thinking about them.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I am muslim so we dont celebrate christmas we celebrate eid-ul-fitr at the end of ramadan

Super, enjoy your Holiday.

Do you exchange gifts? If so when do you start purchasing?

OP ~ I again made the mistake of too much stuff buy shopping early. And it's so fun to shop for DD I feel I have to find stuff for DS.

This year I'm thinking of visiting San Diego *leave Cmas day or the day after and spend a few days in S CA! My kids have so much, I'm sick of the stuff. Might even ring in the New Year at DLR!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I usually do most of my shopping online and I wait for Black Friday sales. I don't buy things too far in advance because your window for returning things is usually 30 days. Also now that our kids are teens a lot of what we buy are electronics and the warranty period begins at purchase.

 

[Pesky]

I have just gotten to a point where I managed to clear out my "gift closet" to a reasonable level. I would go crazy picking out things early on and let me tell you, REGRET! Then I had to wait and find some poor unsuspecting soul on which to pawn it off. Anywho, learned my lesson. Do I still buy ahead? YES! But I buy things like fun PJs and dress-up clothes that I know will go to use or be easily gifted. I will pick up steals (like when that Target Princess doll set went on mark-down to $9 from $30, I picked up 3 knowing that DS would be invited to at least 3 bday parties for girls). Also, when I buy something, I ask the critical question -- if I cannot gift it to someone I know, would I be happy to donate it? If not, then I have to make sure I have a particular person in mind when I buy. Like pps said, the minute you start buying, start writing it down along with the dollar amount. Also think hard because I have often found myself regretting buying something earlier on and using up the money when I could have gotten something I thought was a better "fit" later.

Sales at big stores tend to happen regularly. FWIW, I know Disney has a 25% off sale again in October or November. I also tend to pick up dress-up items on clearance after Halloween.

I start saving early and just use my personal savings account which is not there for much else as I keep my serious ER money in other accounts that bear more interest. I hide stuff in a gift closet for now. I'm lucky that the kids don't paw through it yet. Eventually will likely load up luggage or stash in unmarked boxes and storage bins.

 

[jacksmom]

I am always on the look out for bargains! But, I usually start shopping for sure in Aug!