topic Re: Christmas shopping in Community Chat

Christmas shopping

Shorty2U — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:37:20 GMT

Is anyone else stuck on what to buy people for Chrstmas? I know for most its early yet, but Im usually finished way before now. Not last year, and not this year. (I am usually very organized and have it all wrapped too by Thanksgiving so I can concentrate on decorating and then relaxing when the rat race starts for others). So I am getting a bit frustrated already. (As my best friend brags shes finished her shopping already! lol).

I guess I am just not into it as much the past years since my grandkids are older.

We buy for immediate family. My kids/grandkids send me lists. I dont have their lists yet but I know my grandkids want gift cards to shop and thats fine. So their gift cards will be their main gift. (I have been getting my kids and grandkids gift cards for a few years). But I like to have some things for them to open too and although they will give me ideas, I like to have something to surprise them.

My husband buys his family at the last minute. (i.e. parents, sisters, brother in laws and their kids, grandkids) I do help him decide. (shopping online).

Well anyway, I used to be the one to get my kids and grandkids the best gifts (their words not mine) and I am in a rut this year. I mostly shop online and have been surfing for weeks to no avail. lol.

Maybe when I get their lists it will be easier. But again, I like to have something cool to surprise them with, something that I think of myself. But my brain isnt leading me to anything special yet!..lol..

Re: Christmas shopping

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:51:27 GMT

Not stuck because I haven't given it much thought. LOL I generally don't buy the bulk of my presents until after Thanksgiving.

I have bought my sister one thing that I got an awesome deal on and I knew she'd love and I picked up a little something for my SIL when I was in NY.

I am thinking about what to buy my DH.

Re: Christmas shopping

LilacTree — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:53:14 GMT

Not even thinking about it.

Re: Christmas shopping

151949 — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:59:39 GMT

My grweat nephews and grandchildren are between 7 and 12 and all any of them want are games for their i pads so I am giving them gift cards to buy the ones they want. Easier for me and they get what they want. I am not even buying the gift cards - i am sending my neice and my stepdaughter the $$$ and they will buy them for me because they know what they want the kids to have acess to. Double easy for me.

Re: Christmas shopping

GCR18 — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:03:29 GMT

I like to have shopping done by thanksgiving too. I usually have to mail the bulk of the presents, so I like to have some wiggle room. This year my list tripled, so it's a little more difficult. I still plan to meet my goal though. My sister and niece love Skinny tees and yesterday they were a lunch time special. I seem to be lucking out like that this year.

Re: Christmas shopping

DiAnne — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:26:43 GMT

I don't enjoy the hassle or stress of last minute shopping (my daughter loves it!). I find I make much better decisions if I think ahead. I buy some items for next year on the after Christmas sales and otherwise I buy all year. Whenever I see something I know someone will love and it is a reasonable price I pick it up. Just checked through the large box and I have everything for this year (plus a couple of extras). I need to mail most of it so I need to start wrapping. I like to get that done before Thanksgiving then all I have to worry about is decorating, the post office and making cookies. Makes the Holidays much more enjoyable.

Re: Christmas shopping

RedTop — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:32:50 GMT

Our family is very small, so buying gifts is a simple process for me. I only select gifts for my daughters, my nephew, and 2 close friends; everyone else wants, and gets gift cards. The only thing I have left to buy is whatever my youngest daughter decides she wants, and at this point she is leaning towards one expensive gift. I am not now, nor have I ever been a shopper, and walking around stores or malls is of no interest to me. I usually only step foot inside the mall once a year, to buy a Hallmark ornament, and literally go straight to that store, and back to the car. This year my daughter saved me that trip, which is even better. If I know my mom needs something specific, I buy that for her, but at 80+, she does not need "things". Since she does not like to get out at all in bad weather, my brothers and I are helping her stock the house with food, so she won't need to worry about shopping.

Re: Christmas shopping

CouponQueen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:35:54 GMT

Any teen girls? They would love Coach scarf or accessories!

Not sure of the budget but UGGS can't go wrong either..and instead of the full fledged boots you can get slip ons that the teens all love.

For the boys - anything North Face works in our family.

Re: Christmas shopping

Stray — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 22:51:52 GMT

I purchased the Amazing Echo for three on my list, one of which is my husband. I think it is great for those who need some control over their environment and are unable to do so. You can program it to put on music, shut off lights etc. it is not only a nifty gift but also quite thoughtful if someone on your list has a disability. It's fun for the whole family, college student or the techy in your life.

Re: Christmas shopping

pattypeep — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:07:43 GMT

I love Christmas and Christmas shopping. Depending on how you look at it, I'm lucky that I don't have many gifts to buy and unlucky in that I have no grandchildren to spoil. Parents and siblings are gone as well. Our three grown children live in different states and it didn't take long to figure out that I could send them visa cards for more money if I didn't mail packages and pay $25-$40 for postage. Probably for things that they wouldn't care for anyway. Everybody loves receiving money. I used to when I was younger as well. I have what shopping I chose to do already done except for my dh. He usually gets stocking stuffers because he goes out and buys whatever he wants whenever he wants. We both do. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays as much as I do~just being grateful for health and each day we are blessed with.

Re: Christmas shopping

gidgetgh — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:07:32 GMT

I've been doing great on my shopping this year. I started really early when I found gifts for the friends I exchange with. Got that done and they're wrapped and the out of town boxes (4) are all packed and ready to send in late November.

I need to finish my sister and dad and shop for my brother in law and my sister's kids (grown). I always do all that the day after Thanksgiving. I've ordered a few food gifts from QVC for December delivery to give to the neighbors. No baking for me this year.

We we bought my stepson's little boy's gifts yesterday and I wrapped them last night.

I always shop early but am really glad I did this year. My father has been very ill and I've barely had time to see if I'm even wearing matching shoes for the last two and a half months. But things have calmed down a little now, thankfully, and I hope to finish on time. I found Christmas cards that I liked about a month ago- just happened upon them, so I bought those and got my holiday stamps a few weeks ago.

Re: Christmas shopping

Burnsite — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:11:21 GMT

Hi, shorty, I am behind this year, too. I expect to have a bit of an opportunity b/c I will be in London in early December, but I really shouldn't leave everything til then. I am watching the Q sales and Lunchtime specials but haven't seen much so far. The later it gets, the less good the price is, so it may carry over to London, when I have some work-related things to do but scheduled a few days for shopping as well.

Re: Christmas shopping

brii — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:58:33 GMT

I really don't think about it until after Thanksgiving.

I'm not in the mood to shop for Christmas until then.

Re: Christmas shopping

mima — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:03:32 GMT

@Greenhouse wrote:
I purchased the Amazing Echo for three on my list, one of which is my husband. I think it is great for those who need some control over their environment and are unable to do so. You can program it to put on music, shut off lights etc. it is not only a nifty gift but also quite thoughtful if someone on your list has a disability. It's fun for the whole family, college student or the techy in your life.

Yay for you! Anyone and I mean anyone would love the Echo. I have one at home and one at work. I not only use them for fun, but they are super functional. They aren't cheap though. Great if it is in your price range for those on your list.

This gift fits almost every age as long as they have wifi. It's THE perfect gift.

Re: Christmas shopping

mima — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:06:38 GMT

I only have two gifts so far. I got 2 frisbees for free (promotion) and I am going to wrap them up and give them to my mom's dog. LOL

If you have anyone to shop for that loves kitchen gadgets, I absolutely LOVE my Hamilton Beech McMuffin maker (not exact name). I have the one that makes 2 sandwiches and we love it! Great gift for a non-cooker. I've used it a bunch!

Re: Christmas shopping

brii — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:12:26 GMT

What does the Echo do? How does it work? I've seen a commercial for it, but I don't know what it is. LOL

Re: Christmas shopping

Lucky Charm — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:35:33 GMT

My sister and I shopped all day today. Gone almost 8 hours. Dog tired!

Re: Christmas shopping

Allegheny — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:36:00 GMT

@brii wrote:
What does the Echo do? How does it work? I've seen a commercial for it, but I don't know what it is. LOL

I'd like to know also. Could be a gift for my husband. Do you need anything special to work it?

Re: Christmas shopping

Allegheny — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:42:24 GMT

Shorty2U, I am in the same boat. I remember many decade ago when I had many more people to buy for it seemed so easy. Now I only have 5 people and it is just darned hard. Two of them get money so that is easy, it's my husband, my brother and his girlfriend that I am agonizing over. I want to get it over with, because I know time goes fast and I will get caught up with other things, like Thanksgiving prep, giving the house an entire cleaning for holidays and the decorating and baking.

Re: Christmas shopping

Stray — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:44:25 GMT

@brii wrote:
What does the Echo do? How does it work? I've seen a commercial for it, but I don't know what it is. LOL

Echo is kind of like Siri ...you wake it up and ask questions, weather, football scores...you can ask it to put items on your shopping list, play certain music...you can also program it to put on the lights and appliances if you have the devices to do so; I don't use that function...if you go on Amazon, there is a description and examples of use...just put Amazing Echo in search...it looks like a speaker and a small footprint..