CHRISTMAS Shopping - When do you start?

I alwasy start a few weeks before halloween getting some of the big ticket items for my sons and a few things for other family member and save the little things and gifts for friends for around thanksgiving, but I susaly try to get all of my shopping done beforedecember so I don't have to fight any of the crowds when I go shopping.

I haven't had much luck with early Christmas shopping the past few years. Last year I had the baby November 13th and then he got sick in the middle of December. I think I finally did my shopping a few days before Christmas. The year before we were having car problems. Two years ago we were all really sick one after another from Thanksgiving on but I managed to go out the day before Christmas Eve. This year I wanted to start a month or so ago but things happened and I still haven't. Right now I'm just concentrating on the big 1st birthday and will probably start with Christmas stuff with the next paycheck.

"One year I started my shopping in Sept and was done by November, it was great being done, but I felt like I missed out on the "Christmas shopping season""

LOL oddly enough this yr, for the first time ever, I know exactly what you mean:-/ I will be done all my Xmas shopping within a week or so and I can honestly say that I feel like its going to be a let down cause I'll be missing all that crazy holiday shopping...whats stranger still though is the fact that I do most of my shopping online so its not like I go to the mall anyway LOL AND I'm not even a fan of Xmas in the first damn place LOL

I usually start in January. But this year I am so behind. Due to lack of funds.

when my husband was making better money I would buy things year round when things were on sale, and it was great, it took the pressure off me for last minute shopping.

Now I'm doing my shopping, but looking for sales and deals, and buying online if I can.

I just bought my second gift yesterday, off ebay, and am looking at my 3rd one already to purchase this week.

I think the more I can do online and not battle stores the happier I'll be, and if I can get things offline, and save a bit of money, I'll be even happier.

Like the camera I bought last night for 60.00 6.1 mp camera for my daughter for Christmas which saved me about 30.00 and was a slightly better camera, she doesn't need a fancy schmancy camera, but I also let her play with mine as well which is a better camera, but only slightly more resolution.

But i couldn't justify buying her a 'toy' camera.

Mooch

Mooch

i do my christmas shopping all through the year. if i see something that is good for someone, i generally buy it then and store it away.
there was a large warehouse sale at a very hip store that i knew my daughter would love (she is 14) and i bought her some clothes )they had 5 things for $20 - how could you go wrong?
this was back in july!

when my husband had a better job, I have to say that I started in Jan when all the sales were going on, and I could do that...now I'm lucky to start in Sept, and I end up spending a lot less on everyone.

And my kids are older, and harder to buy for.....ages 10 to 15...

actually my girls are really easy to buy for, and my boys are getting harder and harder to buy for.

but I'll manage.

Mooch

I try to at leat go check all the price and where I will buy things in november. After that I will only need to pick up things in december and I will only go in hours that have less people lol.
This year I don,t really have time in november, but starting the first week of december I will only work 4h a week and I will finish at dinner time. it will be easy to shop at that time:)

ill start by the end of this month (NOv.) because i really wanted my gifts to be unique and well think of. i dont want to buy in a rush. Godbless you

it usualy best to start early with christmas shopping to try to prevent the crowds. i usually buy mine early like september or october. but i still do the thanksgiving sale, for any last minute list, i do it maybe early december. just in case i forgot somebody.