Have you started your holiday shopping?

[ashlend]

Have you started your holiday shopping? I want to know. Are you a crazy early shopper or a procrastinator?

I started in mid-September but I'm crazy like that. This year I am DETERMINED to have everything bought and wrapped by Thanksgiving. Determined I tell you!

I am a little less than halfway done now. :pibo:

[SomebodyElse]

Yes, I've got a few things for my niece, but she's only two-and-a-half, and I buy things for her all the time anyway. :o

[Veggily]

I've gotten 10% done so far. I always end up doing last minute shopping.

[mazikeen]

I've started thinking about my Christmas presents and buying some of them for about a month now. I'm planning on making some of them myself, so it's essential I plan ahead for those. I definitely prefer being prepared, since I like giving thoughtful gifts, and trying to decide at the last minute can compromise that.

[dani_cat]

My family doesn't buy presents anymore. We just have a family gathering at somebodies house or at a restaurant.

[MrFalafel]

Xmas shopping takes me 20 minutes now. Amazon gift certificates for everyone in the post in December :lol:

[karenlovessnow]

I've 'started', but I use the word lightly....I am going shopping this weekend, however, and plan on getting at least half of it done. I, too, like to be done before Thanksgiving. At least with the bulk of it. I enjoy walking through the stores the week before Christmas, just for the atmosphere.

Not that I have that much to buy anyway. Basically it's my three adult children and two step-grandchildren. I actually love to shop, except for the times when money is real tight. That takes a little of the joy out of it for me. But then, again, it forces me to be more creative. :)

[ICU]

I shop year round. If I see something perfect for a friend or family member, I buy it and save it for Christmas or birthdays.

[*AHIMSA*]

There will be no holiday presents purchased.

[jenni-anti-fur]

I shop all year round:pibo::pibo:...

[kraftykraft]

I have not started yet, but I decided that this is going to be the year of the gift card for me. I have a TON of people to buy for this year and I only have so much space in my little noggin to process everything. I may do a few actual gifts for my immediate family, but I am trying to keep things as low stress on myself as possible so I can actually enjoy the season. I may also try and make some gifts this year, but that will be easier said than done. Good luck everyone!!

[karenlovessnow]

http://www.greenbabies.com/cgi-bin/db.pl?T-100JPEA

I bought this for Josh at Whole Foods yesterday. :)

[sunshinegal]

Started in September and am about 60% done. With every pay check I go out and buy some gifts so I don't go into credit card debt over Christmas. I have a huge family and my fiances birthday is Nov 21st. He is totally spoiled between his birthday and christmas since they are so close together!

[Nonna]

Have you started your holiday shopping? I want to know. Are you a crazy early shopper or a procrastinator?

I started in mid-September but I'm crazy like that. This year I am DETERMINED to have everything bought and wrapped by Thanksgiving. Determined I tell you!

I am a little less than halfway done now. :pibo:

I'm with you...I'm about done , the older I get the worse I hate the crowds. It seems the closer it gets to Christmas the meaner people get.. Soooooo I always try to have it done early..

[Skylark]

I shop year-round as well because the best yard sales and auctions are in the summer. This year, though, I think my main gifts will be veg chili and cornbread mixes.

[nwysca]

Am I the only one who hasn't started thinking about Christmas gifts yet?! I don't have much money so I have to start thinking creatively! Any suggestions??

[mazikeen]

Am I the only one who hasn't started thinking about Christmas gifts yet?! I don't have much money so I have to start thinking creatively! Any suggestions??

We've had a few threads on homemade gifts on VB. You could make cocoa or spice mixes, soaps, candles, Christmas decorations, and lots more.

Link to the previous one: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1767103

[ashlend]

Started in September and am about 60% done. With every pay check I go out and buy some gifts so I don't go into credit card debt over Christmas. I have a huge family and my fiances birthday is Nov 21st. He is totally spoiled between his birthday and christmas since they are so close together!

My husband's birthday is Jan. 11! Argh. By the time we get there I'm always like... I have no idea what to get you now. This year it's his 30th so I'm going to have to plan something special in advance.

[Brandon]

Am I the only one who hasn't started thinking about Christmas gifts yet?!

Nope, you're not. I haven't even given it one second's thought.
My family is drawing one name apiece and we have a $25 cap on the cost.
I'm so relieved, because in the past I've never been able to buy something for everyone and I always felt bad.

[sunshinegal]

My husband's birthday is Jan. 11! Argh. By the time we get there I'm always like... I have no idea what to get you now. This year it's his 30th so I'm going to have to plan something special in advance.

Well luckily my fiance never has any trouble coming up with things I can get him. He is so spoiled! The hit to the pocket book of his birthday and christmas being so close together is just crazythrough. I am sure you understand. :p

[TigerLover]

Usually I start in early November, but since I am unemployed, I may not be doing it at all if I don't find work soon. :confused:

However, it doesn't stop me from looking. I have limited money to spend this year if I don't find a job, so I'll wait for closer to Xmas hoping to catch some sales. But, yeah, usually it's November for gifts but sometimes will buy decorations earlier. If I do see something I MUST buy than I have bought things as early as September, but usually big Xmas shopping starts in November. I have to wait for the spirit to lasso me. LOL!

[animallover7249]

I do most of my shopping online, and I try to catch sales. I have a limited about of money to spend, so if I can get things cheap, I can get more gifts for people. I havn't done a lot of shopping yet, though.
3 things for my sister, 1 for my brother in law, 1 for my dad, 1 for my mom, 1 for my grandmother.
I have a few more things picked out that I'm ordering soon, though.

[LadyFaile]

i got my mom's gift like 2 months ago cause a store was closing and everything was on sale. as for everyone else, i have a ton of stuff on hold at work, i just have to pay for it. but most of my gifts are figured out and on hold, the only ones i don't have planned out already are my friends in NC and my brother's girlfriend. oh and my baby nephew but he'll be easy to shop for :D

[animallover7249]

I have some gifts planned in my amazon shopping cart waiting for me to buy as I get money!

[LadyFaile]

oh yeah i forgot, we started a new tradition on my husband's side this year. the family is getting big and most of us are on a tight budget this year so we drew names and only have to buy for that one person. i got my sister in law who is very easy to shop for. funny thing is she drew my name too so we're buying for each other. works out well, we have similar tastes. i know she likes handmade stuff and she's been saying she wants a tree this year and has no ornaments so she's just going to borrow some from her mom. i am going to make some for her. we have a $50 cap for our person so i do plan on buying some things but i want to make some stuff so she'll have more under the tree to open.

i'm sorta competitive with my gift giving, i always want to give the 'perfect' gift that everyone ooh's and ahh's over and i always have to overdo the wrapping so it stands out and everyone wants to shake it etc lol. i like to do themes and collections. like for wedding gifts i'll get all bathroom themed stuff and pack it nicely into a hamper, that sort of thing. at christmas i like to get lots of little goodies and do little stockings. i even like attaching candy canes to gifts with ribbon (not so much now that we have a dog lol)
i put a lot of thought into my gifts and get really upset if i can't come up with a good gift for someone and am not sure if they'll like what i got. so cutting down on how many people i have to shop for sort of takes away some of my fun but it also takes away a lot of stress lol