I'm Finished with My Christmas Shopping and Wrapping!
@DeborahDiane (40060)
Laguna Woods, California
November 8, 2015 10:22pm CST
Yes, for all practical purposes, I am done shopping for Christmas and all the gifts are wrapped. Actually, I will probably buy one or two more little gifts, but that is pretty much it.
I have already started filling one of the two boxes that I have to mail this week. The other box I don't need to mail until early December, but everything is ready to go.
It makes me feel so good to have everything ready for the holidays. I always feel so much less stress when I have finished my shopping early.
What about you? How are you doing on your holiday preparations? 
26 people like this
34 responses
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
@jstory07 - That is wonderful! You sound a lot like me!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
That is wonderful that you see all of your family for Christmas. Ours is too spread out, so some things always have to be mailed.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
@JudyEv - I totally understand that. If you don't have many to buy for, things are much easier.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
9 Nov 15
nicely organized - I still have a few to go plus many cards to write and send
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79884)
• United States
9 Nov 15
Gosh I haven't even thought about cards. Guess I should be getting them soon
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
@arthurchappel and @JudyEv - the cards are more of a problem for me this year. I always put a photo of everyone in the family on mine. This year, I am waiting on the birth of my next grandson so his photo will be included!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326101)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Nov 15
I haven't started on my cards yet. I'll wait till late in November.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane
I don't like waiting to the last minute as some things will be out of stock.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
10 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane I've no small children to buy for, and I just buy my own grown-up children their travel insurance for the year, and there's only bits and pieces after that. So not a lot to do.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
I know a lot of "last minuters" and they seem to enjoy Christmas just fine! LOL
2 people like this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
9 Nov 15
I have mailed some gifts that have to go abroad. I've got more to do.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Nov 15
@Sheilamarie78
I only send a couple of Christmas cards overseas the rest are sent on the internet.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
I need to mail the gifts that will go back East and some that will go to Northern California. That is the only major project I still have left ... other than the Christmas cards!
2 people like this
@wetnosedogs (1533)
• United States
9 Nov 15
I like to get done early too. I still have to get the grandkids something, but that will be done on amazon.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
We will be seeing a couple of our youngest grandkids over Thanksgiving, so I thought I would just take them to Target or Toys R Us and let them pick something out. That will be fun, and I won't have to buy them anything in advance.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
@JudyEv - Amazon is a wonderful way to send gifts to people in other countries ... or even to the other side of our country!
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
9 Nov 15
I'm making my lists and checking them twice still..hahah..i buy here and there and feel no rush..i like to be in the Holiday spirit as I shop and right now just waiting..
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
I can understand why you would want to wait until you are in the spirit! :)
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47104)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
15 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane I prefer focus on my daughter's birthday first, which is the 18th of November. Then I focus on Christmas. To me, this makes most sense.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
I you have family birthdays this time of year, I can see why you wait to start your Christmas shopping.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
15 Nov 15
@dodo19 - I agree that makes a lot of sense!
@celticeagle (159318)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Nov 15
I have a couple of things left to get but that is all. It's great to be on the other side of it isn't it?
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159318)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane ....and now do you start baking pies or what?
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
Yes!! I love having it finished. It is such a relief.
2 people like this
@much2say (53945)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane With the whole gift shopping out of the way, at least you can be relaxed and actually enjoy the holiday season!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
@much2say - That's my plan ... to enjoy December!
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
I'm sure I will find plenty of other things to keep me busy in December! LOL
2 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51535)
• Philippines
9 Nov 15
I used to do that when I was younger and when my nephews and nieces were a lot younger. but as time goes by their demands became higher that I've decided to forget about this wrapping and giving gifts knowing I won't be able to give the one they wanted.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
For my college age granddaughters, I just bought some little make-up kits and I am writing them checks. Makes everyone happier.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48482)
• Canada
9 Nov 15
I like to leave my wrapping until about 10 days before the holiday, to really put me into the spirit and to make me visually take stock of what I've bought and if there are any other items that I need to add. This year the biggest gift that we are purchasing will be a snow blower for our son, so there won't be any wrapping for that, just a bow. And they don't have any in stock in the stores yet, so we'll have to wait another couple of weeks to make that purchase.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48482)
• Canada
10 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane But, normally I finish in early November, so for me not to be done as of yet is out of character. I'll rest better when everything has been crossed off of my list. And I'm changing the way that I do stockings, I'm giving each half a dozen smaller gift cards, and I'll roll up a couple of fifty dollar bills, then just the usual, socks and chocolates. There are so many things that they need when they are young and starting out that they can put cash or gift cards towards in January.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
I am sure the snow blower will be a great gift. A ribbon will be a perfect presentation!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
9 Nov 15
we don't do Christmas 'xcept fer the young'uns 'n i tend to wait til closer to time coz their wants seem to change purty drastic. congrats'n yer accomplishment though! i'd be doin' me a big sigh 'f relief.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Nov 15
@crazyhorseladycx - I totally understand that. With our two youngest grandsons, I am just going to take them to Target or Toys R Us when I see them over Thanksgiving. That will be fun ... and less stressful than trying to find what they want.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
9 Nov 15
I bought all my 2015 gifts the day after Christmas last year. I don't just mean Christmas gifts either. I bought birthday presents too. This saved me lots of money, of course, because everything was on sale. But it also made this year so much more peaceful all around. I set alerts on my iPad to remind me when to ship presents and send birthday and Valentine's day cards too. Life is good.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79884)
• United States
9 Nov 15
You're way too organized for me Elizabeth LOL
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
@Marilynda1225 and @ElizabethWallace - I can understand completely why Elizabeth does this. I have simplified my Christmas shopping, as a result. It does help to be organized!
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
9 Nov 15
@Marilynda1225 I found that the amount of time and money I was spending on others kept increasing each year, but the number of gifts, cards, phone calls and emails I received in return were decreasing at an alarming rate. This made me mad enough to do something about it.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Nov 15
I only have a few things bought but I saw in a magazine an offer for Omaha Steaks and think I will order 2 of those to be sent to my sons and their family out of state. I still and not sure what to buy my other two sons and my daughter in-law but I do know what I will buy my dogs.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
14 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane
I have never bought from there before but it sounds like a good deal, a little bit for everyone.
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
Omaha Steaks is a great idea!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
I am sure you will be buying gifts soon!
1 person likes this
Will probably start shopping this weekend. 
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
Good luck with your shopping!
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
14 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane the wrappers are here maybe by next I will start to wrap those. :)
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
If you are done with the shopping, you are halfway there!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
13 Nov 15
I only buy something for Pretty. Since I usually let her pick it out, I usually only buy a cheap gift before Christmas and she gets to spend more money on whatever she wants the day after Christmas!
Basically, I am done, too.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
That is a good system. I am sure Pretty enjoys buying something after Christmas!
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
14 Nov 15
@JudyEv - I agree that is a very good idea to "draw names" or buy for just one person each year. That worked very well with my father's family.
@DeborahDiane (40060)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Nov 15
We have a very large family ... four daughters, three son-in-laws, seven grandkids. It can be overwhelming!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326101)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane My son married into a large family and the first year it nearly broke them trying to buy to people's expectations. Luckily the family as a whole have since thought better of such expense and just buy for one person each. That isn't suggesting in any way at all that others should do it! 
1 person likes this
