I like to start mid-November, about this time, actually. I can't stand the crowds, and I like to shop by myself. I'm more efficient that way for some reason.

Day before. I only have to buy for two people and if all else fails I can give them cash. :)

I have far too much time on my hands at the moment so I have already started even though I only have 4-5 people to buy for. Usually I would start 1-2 weeks before.

I'm actually getting a fair chunk of it done tonight at work as it's "associate appreciation night" meaning the store is open an extra 3 hours for the associates, their families, and friends. We get an extra discount, in addition to the discount we already get, too.

I hate the crowds so I try to get it done as early as possible. Or I shop online.

Day before. I only have to buy for two people and if all else fails I can give them cash. :)

if you want a extra person to

i'm more than willing to volunteer for being a third person

:-/

I don't buy a lot for Christmas for anyone, so I can do it on 1 afternoon the beginning of December.

This year, due to the sick cats and the problems with my work charity, no one will be getting gifts :-/

I usually start in the fall, but thats more just my general tendency to buy things for people whne I see things they'd like, and when it gets closer to Christmas, I buy them and hold them til Christmas, and I think fall counts as "closer."

So far, I've bought my sister an either birthday or christmas present (her bday is the day after), I've ordered my mom one present, and got one present for her (i usually get her a few), I have no idea what to get my brother or his girlfriend, my dad is also a challenge. Other than that, I don't really buy a lot of presents. I give cookies to my friends at work and stuff....

We have a small family, so it doesn't take long, and the kids always just want money.

Usually i start christmas shopping in early to mid december. But I finish christmas shopping in late december... I don't buy all the gifts at once.

I usually start mid November and have it all done by mid December since I still have to ship it to everyone. Except for Tim's gifts. I start buying for him earlier. If I see something he likes in late October I'll buy it and wrap it that early. Then I hide it until we put up our tree. This year, I'm buying Tim one present and I'll probably get the animals a little something, but other than that there wont be a tree or presents.
Oh, and I celebrate a few days early for Yule.

I usually buy most the present in the week before christmas. But sometimes I buy a few things before then :) Since I'm working leading up to christmas, I might buy alot at work and around the mall :)

Usually in early to mid December. Other than presents for the kids (including the furry ones!), we usually only buy a few gift certificates for our parents, so there's not much to buy. I hate shopping in stores, so if I can order it online that's usually how I shop. :)

i start stocking stuffers for my daughter the day after easter (and easter basket stuff --NO CANDY--the day after christmas) and then i buy for family and friends as i see stuff all year (yea i'm anal....) but i still have to run out 2 weeks before and buy more...

I don't buy gifts because I hate the commercialization of "christ"mas. I refuse to step foot in a mall in December.
For my family and a few friends I make gifts, like perogies, or painted fungus, or crocheted things.

One year I started in September or October and was finished by Thangskiving. That was awesome. This year, I only have 3 out of probably 15 gifts. The problem is that I have no idea what to get most of the people, so I'll probably end up getting a lot of gift cards.

My Christmas shopping comes at about December 25th at 5:58pm in a store that's due to close at 6:00pm... :D

Yea, I usually wait until the dead last minute to do any kind of Christmas shopping. Every year, I run around in a total frinzy trying to buy for all 6,277 relatives (it's really not that many, but it sure feels like it) and every year I say to myself "I'm not doing this s**t next year" but yet, I always do.

Last year, I got everyone gift certificates which was great. Easy to buy, cheap to ship and everyone loved them.

I may do that again this year, but I won't decide for sure until December 25th at around 5:58pm... :D

I almost always go on December 19. I just love that day, I suppose, and I really enjoy running around stressing out over something fun like presents -- gives me a serious rush. :)

I start a couple of weeks before christmas, but not normally in November.
I have to buy 9 presents @ about $20 a present, Well closer family gets more.
I almost have enough money to start shopping!
Wahoo!

Start the day after Christmas for the next season when things go on sale. That's usually when I buy all my Christmas lights etc. Always 50 -80 percent off.

I've given up shopping for Christmas. I realized I was a trained rat in a capitalist maze.

That said, I still accept gifts. I don't want to upset anyone that put in all that hard work finding me the perfect present (i.e., a gift certificate or cash).

Cards, everyone gets cards. They're easy, cheap, and I can give 20 people the same card and chances are, none will be the wiser.

I start in January if I see something on clearance. But usually I start in June because it's wise to spread the expense. Otherwise December is too much about spending money rather than enjoying the feelings from friends and family.