Holiday

[carmela soprano]

I like to do a one-size-fits-all type of shopping, which is easy to do for Christmas giving, any time of year :

for example : even in winter.....for Christmas, I buy each family (my 2 children and their families) , a large picnic basket, with a cozy throw. They pack the picnic basket, lay the throw on the living room floor, and have an "indoor" picnic.

[!FitChick!]

I bought outdoor mats with the initial in the middle for my husbands sons and their wives/significant others- I usually get them the Berkshire throws but went another route this year.  I am thinking of getting my nephew the NFL vest and hoodie.  I am trying to pick up things as I see them.

[GCR18]

I always shop early.  I know my audience.  I like to find expensive items on sale.  This year I bought coach leather key chains.  They were originally $30 and I paid $8.  They came in nice boxes.  A couple friends carry coach bags, so they will go nice.

[Spurt]

I've never been a Black Friday Shopper (there are good deals and sales all through the season)....back when we had big gift exchanges I picked up an occasional item or two in October---hard to find movies or a book someone wanted and I ordered them online. The first week of December I would take a few days off from work and get all my shopping done when stores and malls were less crowded....I'd get there bright and early when the stores opened....Then I started wrapping and everything was done early so I could enjoy the Christmas season without worrying when I was going to get all the shopping done and fight all the traffic and crowds at the stores etc etc ......

Now dynamics have changed--many relatives have passed away, and niece and nephews all grown, some have moved out of state, so it's just a few friends that I exchange gifts with and it's just a small token gift or charity donation now.....I still shop early though....The bad thing is sometimes when a friend will BEG me to go with them at the very last minute and help with their shopping for friends/family/co-workers.....so I had to experience everything I was trying to avoid.....that's what happens when one of your friends is a procastinator....LOL!

[Mominohio]

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@Spurt wrote:

I've never been a Black Friday Shopper (there are good deals and sales all through the season)....back when we had big gift exchanges I picked up an occasional item or two in October---hard to find movies or a book someone wanted and I ordered them online. The first week of December I would take a few days off from work and get all my shopping done when stores and malls were less crowded....I'd get there bright and early when the stores opened....Then I started wrapping and everything was done early so I could enjoy the Christmas season without worrying when I was going to get all the shopping done and fight all the traffic and crowds at the stores etc etc ......

Now dynamics have changed--many relatives have passed away, and niece and nephews all grown, some have moved out of state, so it's just a few friends that I exchange gifts with and it's just a small token gift or charity donation now.....I still shop early though....The bad thing is sometimes when a friend will BEG me to go with them at the very last minute and help with their shopping for friends/family/co-workers.....so I had to experience everything I was trying to avoid.....that's what happens when one of your friends is a procastinator....LOL!

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@Spurt

I just enlarged the pic with your nic and simply howled laughing! I have kitties and love that little 'punkin' head'!

And it is a little less painful helping others with their last minute frenzy....simply because it isn't ours!

[HisElk1]

Good for you OP; I'll bet it feels unusually good to have found some nice affordable things for gifts.

Neither DH or I like the shopping crowds, so if one of us sees something while we're out on errands, we tend to buy it.  

We have a very small family so not alot of gifts to purchase.  When I ask my sons what they want, it's usually the same answer - $.  I know it's not very personal, but if that's what they want, who am I to argue?

I really enjoy the Christmas season, but don't enjoy crowds and all of the commercialism which is why we steer clear of the stores.  It gets too crazy out there with how people act for us.

[Spurt]

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@Mominohio wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

I've never been a Black Friday Shopper (there are good deals and sales all through the season)....back when we had big gift exchanges I picked up an occasional item or two in October---hard to find movies or a book someone wanted and I ordered them online. The first week of December I would take a few days off from work and get all my shopping done when stores and malls were less crowded....I'd get there bright and early when the stores opened....Then I started wrapping and everything was done early so I could enjoy the Christmas season without worrying when I was going to get all the shopping done and fight all the traffic and crowds at the stores etc etc ......

Now dynamics have changed--many relatives have passed away, and niece and nephews all grown, some have moved out of state, so it's just a few friends that I exchange gifts with and it's just a small token gift or charity donation now.....I still shop early though....The bad thing is sometimes when a friend will BEG me to go with them at the very last minute and help with their shopping for friends/family/co-workers.....so I had to experience everything I was trying to avoid.....that's what happens when one of your friends is a procastinator....LOL!

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@Spurt

I just enlarged the pic with your nic and simply howled laughing! I have kitties and love that little 'punkin' head'!

And it is a little less painful helping others with their last minute frenzy....simply because it isn't ours!

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@Mominohio

Glad you like the pic.....I could never get my real kitties to wear that punkin head so this is the next best thing LOL!!! 

Yes it is a little different tagging along and helping ---they have to do the hard part coming up with what gifts to get.......

[homedecor1]

I didn't do Christmas present shopping (only buy for GD, everyone else in our family appreciate ca$h) ---BUT something has taken over my "common sense"!

I donated & pared down all my holiday decorations BUT was out yesterday at Hobby Lobby and couldn't resist buying these 2 trees, lighted branches, candle rings & 2 finials. I am keeping receipt just in case my decor idea doesn't work!!!

Today, we went to our new outlet mall -- geez they had lots of stores & I came home empty-handed but in HL, Old Time Pottery, Michaels etc. I have no willpower!!! Lol!

Im thinking this "holiday forum" gets us in the mood! Great job for getting it done early!

[AngelPuppy1]

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@Stormygirl wrote:

@AngelPuppy1 yea am not into the crowd thing either. I was embarrassed last year looking at the trampling and injuries going on (Walmart??) when the doors were opened for the BF sales.. People in USA actually fight over a 2 dollar waffle iron here? Sigh I guess living in a small poor country for a time put my outlook into perpective. I hope that doesnt happen again this year as I do not understand that mindset 1 day after they are supposedly thankful for thier lot in life. ???

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@Stormygirl

It's ridiculous, isn't it?  I am embarassed when I see this stuff on t.v.  

[AngelPuppy1]

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@millieshops wrote:

I've never been a good shopper when there are crowds to contend with, so early is good for me.

I used to love a trip into NYC to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and the windows of the major department stores, and mingling in those croaeds was okay.  We didn't shop on those trips even when we walked into Macys Herald Square which was always beautifully decorated for the season.

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@millieshops

The trip to NYC, etc. sounds lovely and very memorable!  But I would not do much shopping there in the crowds either!