Holiday Season II

Anonymous

I am going to be doing a lot of Holiday shopping this year. I was at the mall this late morning and there were so many things that piqued my interest, from makeup to perfume to Holiday separates. I have so many ideas of what I want these Holidays to look like. And yes, I was a bit caffeinated when I was at the mall.

I take a few days off work to shop early. It lowers my stress level and makes it so much more fun for me. I usually stop at Starbucks and buy a cup of coffee and a danish. Then I start my shopping.

I start with a list, but I go where the whim leads me. I am not a marathon shopping. Two-to-thee hours and I am pretty much done for the day. With any luck, I'll have all my shopping done prior to Thanksgiving.

My friends criticize me for starting prior to Black Friday, but the crowds and parking and stress of Black Friday is not worth it to me. I would prefer to get done early and then enjoy the festivities during December.

8 years ago

Off Topic

9 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

Anonymous

You're smart to start early; it's hell to shop under pressure. Don't forget -- for every three presents you buy, you get to get one for yourself!

8 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I think it is wonderful that you are doing what suits you, so you enjoy the process.

I am not so organised - I have a couple of purchases made but will leave the bulk of it til December. I don't have a lot to do and our family is getting leaner and leaner on presents every year.

I do make gifts for neighbours - edible. It can be fudge or marinated olives or shortbread....I also make three Christmas fruit cakes for family gifts. So a lot of my time goes into this.

8 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

Oh, I agree - do it before the rush.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Sally. I am buying fewer presents these days as well because my family is also getting leaner. But also it seems my family doesn't want to exchange gifts as much as we used to do years ago. We spend time together and cook massive dinners instead. I'm certainly ok with more eating.

And Xtabay, I do buy gifts for myself as well. I almost have to because I am at the mall so much in November and it is impossible to not get caught up in the Holiday season of gift giving. I tend to buy one for family/friends and one for me. I won't go near the mall in December (it is a parking thing). I go crazy looking for a parking spot at our mall and I circle and circle (and pray that someone will leave soon).

8 years ago

Anonymous

Do you buy much online? That's pretty much how I do all my holiday shopping, except for small last-minute things, like stocking-stuffers. Sure beats the parking and traffic hassles.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Xtabay

In the past I shopped entirely at the mall. I have Family all over the country (mostly in the Minnesota and Washington) and my goal was always to make my purchases, wrap the gifts, and ship them so that the would be under the tree at Christmas time. I had a date that I wanted to "ship by" but I don't remember what that date was any more.

The Internet changed my shopping habits. I started buying gifts online, having them wrapped, and then shipped directly to their houses. I can't tell you how much stress that relieved. The problem was that once the merchandiser had their address, they started mailing catalogues to those addresses. My parents immediately looked up how much I paid for their gifts and called to tell me why I spent too much. So that didn't work as well as I had hoped.

Today I send Christmas cards and gifts cards. Everyone seems to like that best.

I buy gifts for local Friends. I shop both on the internet and at the mall for those gifts. For some reason, buying those gifts is not stressful and I thoroughly enjoy it.

Somehow I end up at the mall a lot during November. The parking is not that bad prior to Thanksgiving.

My mall is GREAT. The problem is that it is an older mall and they never accounted for the traffic that the mall would bring. There is very limited parking. I have actually parked in nearby neighborhoods and walked. That was not fun because I ended up carrying lots of packages (heavy).

Now I have rules in place. Never shop after Thanksgiving. Just don't.

8 years ago

Helen11

Veteran

I think starting early is a great idea. My problem is that I need reminding that I have presents for the kids already, and not get caught up in the rush later on.
We certainly have fewer gifts for the adults in the family, I hope this can trickle down to the kids as well. Maybe, like Sally, I can make some edible gifts.
Enjoy those gifts for yourself, Sterling!

8 years ago

Anonymous

Sterling, you are the ultimate Christmas elf! I'm sure you bring so much happiness to your friends and family with your finely-honed shopping skills, and I'm glad you've found ways to make it easier on yourself.

We have a lot of local artist shows around my area at Christmas and I love to go to those to buy unique presents and support the artists. It's probably my favorite part of holiday shopping. Of course, a few of these items usually end up with my name on them (especially if they're jewelry)!

8 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Wow-- I need to start thinking about the holidays and didn't until today. Usually I have my shopping done online and early. I've heard that it is very hard to park at the local mall (new town for me this year) in December, so I will probably shop online again. I have no idea what I'm doing for most folks. This is my first holiday not spent with family (new job means I haven't earned enough leave to make the 10+ hour trek home during winter storm season). We will be spending the holidays with the SOs family, which will be a first as well-- shopping for them is going to be a challenge unless the SO insists on doing what he normally does and purchases gift cards (9 people there + 5 family members at home + 10 or more new co-workers).

8 years ago

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