When do you start your Christmas shopping?

How Soon Is Now · 03-11-2014 3:03pm #1

Had friend telling me other day she had all her presents bought since September!

I normally don't start mine till this month but Ive loads coming up in next few weeks so I'm kinda stressing over the taught of it!

Have another mate who ends up doing most of it on Christmas Eve!

Sauve · 03-11-2014 3:09pm

Ive no kids, nieces or nephews, and my extended family and friends never do presents.
So I pretty much have only two presents to buy, it's deadly!

How Soon Is Now · 03-11-2014 3:12pm

Sauve wrote: »

Ive no kids, nieces or nephews, and my extended family and friends never do presents.
So I pretty much have only two presents to buy, it's deadly!

Lol lucky u!

Decided to just go half's with me gf on most the presents this year so I'm hoping that makes things bit easier. Saying that I enjoy going into town before Christmas always good buzz!

Links234 · 03-11-2014 3:14pm

I try to start in September, and pick up a few presents here and there as the weeks go on.

Ruu · 03-11-2014 3:17pm

No children, only really buy for Mam and Dad, so fairly late in the year and the rest of them have too much as it is.

Earthhorse · 03-11-2014 3:23pm

The earlier you can do it the better. We do Kris Kindle now in my family which makes it much easier. Hoping to get it done before December but I usually don't keep my promises.

OldNotWIse · 03-11-2014 3:24pm

When the limiting factor called "finances" allows. Usually later than I would like.

catallus · 03-11-2014 3:25pm

It would be more in your line now to stop worshipping the false gods of consumerism and to tend to the fate of your soul.

:mad:

NormalBob Ubiquitypants · 03-11-2014 3:28pm

catallus wrote: »

It would be more in your line now to stop worshipping the false gods of consumerism and to tend to the fate of your soul.

:mad:

Nah that's too much effort. I say spend.

I usually start mid December, and finish approximately 2 hours later. It is all about timing. You need a weekday when universities and schools are still operating. Then go between 10-3.30. I have actually taken time off work to do this. Saves a load in stress.

Duggy747 · 03-11-2014 3:29pm

Xmas Eve in a panic looking for something that could slightly resemble being called a present.

"Here, some shampoo............Penny's finest!..................I needed to use some for a shower before coming over"

Donkey Oaty · 03-11-2014 3:35pm

catallus wrote: »

It would be more in your line now to stop worshipping the false gods of consumerism and to tend to the fate of your soul.

:mad:

I always leave these things to the last minute, so it will be only on my death bed that I renounce Satan and all his works.

messrs · 03-11-2014 3:37pm

I have 9 nieces/nephews to buy for - I don't have a set time in buying them but if I happen to see something that I think they would like then I buy it regardless of when it is and will keep it for xmas. 5 of out that 9 also have birthdays in October so have to cover that to!! In saying that, I have all the kids presents sorted, also have both my parents covered, just the OH left to get for now and then a couple of close friends.

clappyhappy · 03-11-2014 3:37pm

Got a good bit done online today. We also do Kris Kringle amongst my family. Pick out one person, limit is €150 and we usually write down a few things we would like so it makes it easier to get. Only buy for godchildren not all the nieces and nephews and that's limited to €40. Got OH a few weeks ago, now just our own 3 kids to sort out. No idea what to get them, 5,7 & 10, they have no idea what they want.........

x43r0 · 03-11-2014 3:39pm

I have Amazon Prime free next day delivery so Christmas Shopping is easy mode.

I usually do it all on a lunch break some day mid December

Philo Beddoe · 03-11-2014 3:40pm

Last year I did most of it online, this year I intend to do all of it this way. So basically as soon as I know what I'm buying, I'll do it.

How Soon Is Now · 03-11-2014 3:41pm

Whatever I can get online I will. Sometimes just like seeing things in the flesh!

JupiterKid · 03-11-2014 3:43pm

I won't even be thinking of my Christmas shopping until December 1st.

Fat Christy · 03-11-2014 3:45pm

I like getting bits and pieces as I see them. I don't have that many people to buy for though and no kiddies.

justsomebloke · 03-11-2014 3:47pm

Finished a few weeks ago

KeithM89 · 03-11-2014 3:47pm

Ten minutes on Amazon/Apple done 2 months ago. They even wrap it for ya.

How Soon Is Now · 03-11-2014 3:50pm

I'm looking forward to doing it now haha well kinda :-).

It just reminds me of when was kid used get day off school then go with me ma and brother into see santy then try get all our presents. Used to love it!

Witchie · 03-11-2014 4:00pm

I start usually a few days after Christmas when things are on sale. Pick up a few things that I know someone will appreciate and things like stocking fillers for my sons. Then throughout the year if I see something that I think will work for someone I buy it. I have my sons main presents to get yet, 2 more kids to buy for and my Kris Kindle (my dad who is impossible to buy for) left and then am done. I bought some of my friends gifts (some beautiful guess jewellery on sale in Century 21 in New Jersey and some unusual pieces on street market off Times Square) when was in the States in September.

I love planning ahead and picking up things, only problem is I usually then end up going over the top coz see so many things that I want to buy for people!

Witchie · 03-11-2014 4:00pm

I start usually a few days after Christmas when things are on sale. Pick up a few things that I know someone will appreciate and things like stocking fillers for my sons. Then throughout the year if I see something that I think will work for someone I buy it. I have my sons main presents to get yet, 2 more kids to buy for and my Kris Kindle (my dad who is impossible to buy for) left and then am done. I bought some of my friends gifts (some beautiful guess jewellery on sale in Century 21 in New Jersey and some unusual pieces on street market off Times Square) when was in the States in September.

I love planning ahead and picking up things, only problem is I usually then end up going over the top coz see so many things that I want to buy for people!

Witchie · 03-11-2014 4:08pm

I start usually a few days after Christmas when things are on sale. Pick up a few things that I know someone will appreciate and things like stocking fillers for my sons. Then throughout the year if I see something that I think will work for someone I buy it. I have my sons main presents to get yet, 2 more kids to buy for and my Kris Kindle (my dad who is impossible to buy for) left and then am done. I bought some of my friends gifts (some beautiful guess jewellery on sale in Century 21 in New Jersey and some unusual pieces on street market off Times Square) when was in the States in September.

I love planning ahead and picking up things, only problem is I usually then end up going over the top coz see so many things that I want to buy for people!

Sinister Kid · 03-11-2014 4:09pm

I've been picking up bits since mid September, I'm about 80% done at this stage... Feeling mega organised! But I will more than likely put off wrapping them and they sit in the back of the wardrobe forgotten about till Christmas eve night when I will have to try wrap them after coming in from the pub drunk as a skunk!

_Brian · 03-11-2014 4:11pm

Santa shopping done today.
Hope to have rest done by end of the month.

MattD1349 · 03-11-2014 4:13pm

Have all mine done since July bar one or two. Just the missus & the mother (can't forget the mammy can we?) to buy for. Got the 2 kids sorted in July when things are cheaper because I don't see the point in paying over the odds for presents in late November/early December. Would love to do it online but money's tight at the best of times what with reduced wages etc. do Kris Kringle with siblings & since they only buy ****e presents then I reciprocate. Not a huge fan of Xmas but herself & the kids are so that's me all snookered! ðŸ˜†

Crumpets · 03-11-2014 4:14pm

I'm not doing presents this year, Christmas is all about the food for me

whiskeyman · 03-11-2014 4:18pm

Crumpets wrote: »

I'm not doing presents this year, Christmas is all about the food for me

Apt username is apt...

catallus · 03-11-2014 4:20pm

Crumpets wrote: »

I'm not doing presents this year, Christmas is all about the food for me

You mean the spiritual food provided by the birth of Christ, obviously.

jelenka · 03-11-2014 4:23pm

Done with all the kids ptesents in September when they had 3 for 2 in argos. Just oh and parents left but I pretty much know what I need so shouldn't take more than an hour to get. Working in retail, hate shopping anyway especially around xmas time when it's crazy around the shops.

Miaireland · 03-11-2014 4:26pm

I normally do mine Mid-November or the start of December. I normally have planned exactly what I am going to buy for who before that though.

Donald73 · 03-11-2014 4:43pm

I always start towards the end of August after my son's birthday and our holiday if we have one. I'm a single mum and money can be tight so it just makes sense to me. I have my little boy's main presents from Santa bought and wrapped - he wants Disney Infinity Marvel Heroes and another game and a surprise. He never asks for very much as he knows Santa can only carry so much per child but I always get a few extra bits and pieces. All I have left to get is stocking fillers,one game and a couple characters for the Infinity.

I also have to get a couple presents for me (the hardship! lol) as he got very upset a couple years ago that Santa brought me nothing but yet I'd been 'a good mammy' in his words so now Santa puts a few bits in a stocking for me, nothing expensive just a nail varnish or two and maybe some chocs or whatever.

I have 10 nephews and nieces to buy for too - this is a total pain as never know what to get them or that they'd like. Also some of them wilfully break every thing they are given so would not be wanting to get them expensive items even if I could afford it.Will get these nearer the time probably - we as a family have discussed not buying for each other's kids as there are too many and all find money tight as it is but there's always one who insists we buy.

Novella · 03-11-2014 5:04pm

donna35 wrote: »

I also have to get a couple presents for me (the hardship! lol) as he got very upset a couple years ago that Santa brought me nothing but yet I'd been 'a good mammy' in his words so now Santa puts a few bits in a stocking for me, nothing expensive just a nail varnish or two and maybe some chocs or whatever.

That is very sweet. Your son sounds adorable.

Donald73 · 03-11-2014 5:11pm

Novella wrote: »

That is very sweet. Your son sounds adorable.

Thank you he is - for now lol. Will probably hate me when he's a teenager though x

padd b1975 · 03-11-2014 5:17pm

Present for my mother, Kris Kindle with my sisters and vouchers for nieces and nephews.

Easy.

Witchie · 03-11-2014 5:23pm

Novella wrote: »

That is very sweet. Your son sounds adorable.

I used to do that too. Santa would bring me a wee piece of costume jewellery or something nice that I had wanted to buy anyway and my boys loved that mammy had been a good girl too!

Donald73 · 03-11-2014 7:59pm

Witchie wrote: »

I used to do that too. Santa would bring me a wee piece of costume jewellery or something nice that I had wanted to buy anyway and my boys loved that mammy had been a good girl too!

It is nice to get a pressie too, even though we're buying them for ourselves haha. I think I'll be doing a stocking for my mam from Santa too this year as we're back living at home for the minute and he'll be upset if she gets nothing from Santa too.

myshirt · 03-11-2014 8:10pm

I start my Christmas shopping on the same day the majority of men start. Christmas eve.

So whatever is in Topaz that afternoon, that's what she's getting.

Nearly worked a charm last year. Gave the wife a car air freshener and some L plates. She was so happy, jumping for joy, kissed me; and then ran out to the driveway for some strange reason. Whatever happened after that, I don't know, but the mood dropped.

Suppose you can't please everyone.

ShadowHearth · 03-11-2014 8:17pm

I don't have any family and I got single recently. So far the only person I will buy gift is going to be me. December most likely.

rainbow kirby · 03-11-2014 8:23pm

Will probably start this month - order stuff from Amazon and get it delivered to my mam's in Dublin.

boobar · 03-11-2014 8:23pm

Going to start this week.

I've one daughter and a godson to splash out on.

For the Mrs, I give her money so she can get what she likes. I know to many this may sound unromantic, but she says that's what she prefers, so who am I to argue.

Ilyana 2.0 · 03-11-2014 8:31pm

I'm hoping to get shopping pretty soon. There are only four of us in the family, and normally we just exchange wishlists and everyone's happy. For once I've got all my saving done, so for the first year ever I'm chomping at the bit to get hold of the lists and get everything bought.

I have a few ideas for my boyfriend's gift but his birthday is soon so I've to get that out of the way first.

I love Christmas shopping though; it makes me so happy

Frigga_92 · 03-11-2014 8:49pm

In my head I started back in September and have a good few stocking filler presents bought as well as one or two of the big ones.
In reality it'll all be the first 2 weeks of December like it is every year.

Tar.Aldarion · 03-11-2014 9:14pm

Usually have it done by now but this year I have nothing. I only have one thing picked out but that's been picked out ages.

Heisenberg88 · 03-11-2014 9:20pm

Feck buying presents for others. More presents for me! And yes I'm serious!

cripesonfriday · 03-11-2014 9:33pm

Christmas eve, it's become a tradition.

I get up, go and have breakfast in a cafe, then buy presents for wife and family, two,maybe three hours and done, then a pub lunch and two pints, then home and wrap them.

My wife is in charge of the Santa presents, which are being bought over the next month or so.

tomwaterford · 03-11-2014 9:41pm

usually the last Friday before xmas....why rush in sooner...its not like I know what im gonna get??

Sam Kade · 03-11-2014 9:43pm

Presents are the bane of humanity.

liz lemoncello · 03-11-2014 9:53pm

NormalBob Ubiquitypants wrote: »

Nah that's too much effort. I say spend.

I usually start mid December, and finish approximately 2 hours later. It is all about timing. You need a weekday when universities and schools are still operating. Then go between 10-3.30. I have actually taken time off work to do this. Saves a load in stress.

Except for the mid-December part, this is also my M.O. I have a very specific list, arrange my trips(s) according to location, then choose the best day or days, depending on the number of locations required. Ideally I do some of it on a snowy day. I love walking home in the snow, carrying my shopping bags, then having a cup of tea as soon as I get in the door.

Uriel. · 03-11-2014 9:55pm

I've started mine since about 3 weeks ago. I love Christmas and the whole run up to it but like to have the stress of finding the "right" present finalised so I can enjoy the spirit of Christmas

When do you start your Christmas shopping?

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