When do you start Christmas shopping?

[i]I don't know really..When I had a job, I used to find time shopping two weeks before Christmas and I love doing it with my Sister...As much as we want it earlier, I do know we are just used to do it December time..hahaha! Now that I am jobless, I am sure I will nto be giving to all of my friends and relatives, only to my Parents, Sister, Hubby, in-laws and close friends and maybe I will start shopping after thanksgiving! I don't like to rely on my hubby's money..LOL! I want to save what I will earn here so that it will be memorable for me and satisfying! LOL![/i]

I usually start Christmas shopping mid-November cos that's when I have enough savings to start buying a few things every week, not necessarily buy everything in one day. This year though, I think I might have to start late, probably early-mid December already, just days before Christmas. I'm starting to save more now and I don't think I'll be able to spend whatever amount I earned to just shopping, I'll have some amount set aside also just in case.

About a month ago, I realized that I needed to start gathering things, especially when there are outrageous sales. A couple of wonderful stores have gone out of business, and that's horrible, but it did allow me to get things I wouldn't have been able to afford. It feels odd, because I've alween a last-minute shopper. It's nice, though, so maybe I'll try to make it a habit.

hello.. for me i would start shoping early, because by the time that there are so many people in the mall and the price is to high even if they have a sale and you dont have the choice to go to another stall or mall or place where the price is a bit lower. for me if i shop early i could save more.

I rarely even celebrate christmas, although when I do I probably shop for it about 2-3 weeks before, where all the sales are in and quite a few other people have probably bought their things. I doubt I'll even buy anything at all this year considering how bad the credit crunch in the UK has become.

Ive been out of work for a while so the cash flow is poor,but im not going to let it get me downif all else fails then I will just make a few things and give them homemade pressies.Christmas is all about the meaning more than the pressies and the rest of the expense that we all go to.

I don't usually start Christmas shopping until December. We are starting to save for this now. I am making my smaller gifts - knitting people dishcloths, etc.

I usually start buying and making things in october, but i'm usually relaxed about it because I figure I've got a head start and plenty of time...then december 20th rolls around and its panic mode because I didn't get much done LOL. So then I'm running like a madwoman for the next few days. And it never fails that hubby is going to be running to the stores for me at least 3 times on the day before christmas eve. But I swear this year will be different....yeah right LOL.

I usually start thinking about presents and draw up a list at October half term. Then whenever I go shopping I buy things that catch my eye. I hate trying to do it all in one go when the shops are really busy. This year I am going to make most of my gifts.

i always start early because money is an issue. in years past when i was working full time i would have all my shopping done by the end of october because i hate shopping in the stores when they are crowded with rude and obnoxious people who forget what the holidays are really all about. i can no longer do that because money is so tight. so far i have gotten my great niece done and bought two things off of my sons list to put away and i have his teachers gift nearly done. other than that i am in a bit of a panic as to how i will afford the other gifts i need to buy. i refuse to put anything on credit cards as we are desperately trying to pay them off and get rid of them for good.

I've already bought a few things. I usually start right after Christmas of the previous year, but I was really sick after Christmas last year and missed most of the sales. I need to start shopping soon to get it all done. I shop for my family as well as my boyfriend's family, so it takes a while. I'm not sure what my plan is for this year. I keep a notebook that I use all year long where I write down ideas for presents or something that they mention they want but know they won't buy themselves(I keep a page for each person in a 3-ring binder). I don't really have a set spending limit per year, but I can already tell two things; I will be spending far less than I will in previous years, and Gather will be a big part of my Christmas budget.

I usually start shopping the week before.. Then the shops are still full with all kinds of stuff.. And you can also do your shopping quiet and relaxed.. Have a nice day..

I have already started mine! I have ordered all of my christmas cards, wrapping paper and gift tags, and I am starting to think about what I am going to give to different people. I don't think it is ever too early. I have a couple of hundred going spare this month, so I just thought that I might as well get a few bits and bobs for Christmas so that I don't have massive financial panic when it comes to December!

i usually start shopping for Christmas at the end of november. i try to save money till then so that i could buy some new clothes and presents for my whole family.i look so forward for christmas..

I should have started already, I told myself this last month so this month I will start getting some toys for the kids. If I get a couple each month now it won't hit me as hard come December. Wow I can't believe how fast the time is going by.

I always do it one or two days before Christmas heh. I'm not planning it ahead but I always make sure to have money for the gifts.

I love Christmas shopping, but I usually wait until December to start shopping. Sometimes, due to not that much money, I wait until right up until the last two weeks. I usually know what I'm buying and I look for the best bargains. And, we usually buy a couple gifts for the grandkids and then give them money. Last year everyone mostly got money to buy what they wanted rather than us trying to figure out what they wanted. I also went out with my daughter and helped them buy - they'd decide what they might like and we would go behind them with another kid and buy what they had tried on. They never even suspected what we were doing! We were very sneaky, even buying something one time while the one she was buying for was trying on something else he liked. She told him she couldn't afford it, but had her daughter take back what she had bought and swap for what he tried on. When Christmas came,he was very surprised. This year, we will probably be buying less unless things pick up or we find some awfully good bargains. But it is still an exciting time just being able to be together.

I usually start in November as well and have the same worries! This year, I may start earlier buying a little at a time. Unfortunately I will not be buying as much as I usually do for everyone, but I'm sure they understand. I know it isn't supposed to be about the gifts or the money, but I enjoy seeing everyones faces light up as they unwrap their gifts. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, more for spending time with family and eating good for days!! :)

i have actually already started my Christmas shopping, and have done about half of it. i usually start at the end of the summer when they have a ton of clearance sales. i have 2 children, my sister has 2, my brother has 6, and my husband's sister has 4, so there are way too many kids in our family to buy everything at full price. i actually ended up getting some great toys and board games this year that were so dirt cheap, mostly at kmart and marshalls. plus i love getting good bargains like that- it makes me feel like such a smart shopper. :)

I used to save it all and do it last minute, but this year & last I've just been buying things when I find them. We both have a good amount of family to buy for, and I buy for a couple close friends of mine. Sometimes I shop for Christmas presents to use it as an excuse to shop :) lol