12 days till christmas, how's your christmas shopping going?

[charlie and algernon]

Me: I'm about half way done, got a bunch done over the weekend and I hope to finish it by this coming weekend. I'd REALLY like to avoid having to go shopping the actual week of christmas.

[Broken_Hero]

1. I'm almost done,

Got to get my MIL some slippers, and son some hot wheels...and I think I'm all set. Plus, some stocking stuffers....

[Bertha Venation]

2. I am buying only one gift, and I'll buy it online on Wednesday.

:shrug:

[rurallib]

3. Thinking mighty hard about starting.

[Kali]

8. ...

:patriot:

[safeinOhio]

4. I'm done

but, I have no friends or family.

[MorningGlow]

5. Almost done, but stalled--tapped out financially till payday (Friday)

Plus I have no idea what to buy my SIL and niece. Once I get some hints, I'll be back at it next week.

[Tom_Foolery]

6. I finished my Xmas shopping fours years ago...

I don't do it anymore.

[Systematic Chaos]

7. My wife and I will have a communal gift of some pinball simulation tables for the XBox 360.

And a couple of $1 indie downloadable games. Total cost, $22. And we really can't even afford that, but you can't go wrong with the hours of cheap entertainment for the money.

[Kali]

9. GET OFF MY FUCKING BACK!

I CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE!





:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Iggo]

10. Shoulda got it all done on Black Friday like I did.

Jealous?

[Kali]

12. read my recent vehicle-related posts

I think I'm gonna skip the whole thing this year. Well I have had the ribeye roast int eh freezer for a while, we will eat but the rest? MEH!:P

[madmom]

28. Basically done, two more to come in the mail. I am still making home made gifts though,

crochet slippers and hats etc.

ooops sorry this was intended for a reply to the original op:hi:

[elocs]

11. It's too early. Proper Christmas shopping can only be done under pressure,

otherwise it's too easy.

[hamsterjill]

26. At last! Someone who understands!!!

I tell everyone that I work better under pressure! I'll be out on the 23rd, and I'll be creative!

[femmocrat]

13. I finished on Saturday.

I knew I was done when I couldn't stand it for one more minute. So I quit.

[1gobluedem]

14. Chipping away at it

I've got two birthdays on the 17th to get through first, though.

[kentauros]

15. I'll do the shopping this week.

For ingredients :)

[tigereye]

16. done some - also sent some $ to the food bank

I order stuff online more than I used to.

[murielm99]

17. DONE.

The baking is done and in the freezer. The decorating is done, too, except for a couple of odds and ends. Now I can relax and have fun when my family arrives.

[femmocrat]

29. I hate you.

Just kidding, of course! Good for you for being so well-organized. I'm always down to the wire, doing things at the last minute.

:hi:

[sohndrsmith]

18. Christmas shopping? What's that? : ) I network instead....

I used to shop when I had the financial means for it (and still do in a limited way, but I do it throughout the year when I see something small that I know someone I love will love - and I can afford it. So I get it and set it aside).

What I do now more than anything is work as a go-between for the gift-givers and the kids or helped the kids manage their cash gifts (even save them up!) to get something they really want. It seems to work for everyone and while I can only give symbolic, personal, creative, non-$$ gifts... oddly enough the kids remember, even appreciate these as much or more - I can help make everyone feel satisfied in a way that a direct "I want" call to Grandma is both difficult and awkward - so I make stuff work. And do research. And find the best deals. And even go buy, ship, order, call about, etc. on things that are hard or tiresome.

A few years ago, my daughter wanted a laptop, which no one could give her outright and wouldn't have known what to give her anyway. I played town crier telling family members she wanted funds towards this, and when she got them I kept the cash for her - until her birthday when she received the balance to get the computer she wanted (that I researched) and she still seems to think "I" got it for her... : ).

My other daughter wanted a Northface (a couple of years ago they were the 'holy grail' of sorts in her age group) but there was no way I could buy her one. I looked for a year at the local thrift stores and FINALLY found her a Northface. Sort of. It was a NF windbreaker, but it had the logo (and it was extremely well made). But it was red and it was not fleece. But it was a Northface! I got it for a dollar. She doesn't wear it a lot (it's a red windbreaker after all) but it's value (to her) is in how hard and long I tried to find what she wanted, or close to it, knowing I could not afford the brand new item.

Research, thrift stores, creativity, detente and giving time/energy to make things work - are how I 'shop'.

Ensuring one or two (at minimum) ridiculous/memorable/silly holiday moments also seem to be my charge, and these are the things that everyone talks about and enjoys reminiscing over year after year...

That's my job. If it paid, I could afford the glossy high-end electronics because it seems to be what I do best... : )

[grasswire]

22. there is a lot of satisfaction in being the "hunter-gatherer" for the family

I've done that for years. I always scout out the best bargains and find just the right things. They often turn their shopping over to me.

As far as gifts go...one time long ago I read that the best approach to gift giving is to find something that affirms the recipient's thoughts about himself/herself. Something that shows you know who they think they are. It works well.

And this year's shopping? Aside from vintage and antique things picked up over the year, nothing yet.

[hobbit709]

19. Taking my package to the UPS store when it opens.

I'm done. Of course it was easy, some goodies for my mother and one brother, some gift cards for my sister and nieces.
My other brother got his a couple of weeks ago when he got a rebuilt computer.

[bigwillq]

20. Pretty much done.

Still have to buy a gift for the man, but I know what I'm getting him and I can pick it up at anytime. It's not something I need to rush out for.

[Hayabusa]

21. I'm done

went out and bought my mom the Daughtry cd she wanted and at the same time, bought my grandmother a Hank Williams Sr. collection. I think that they'll both like them.

[tabbycat31]

23. don't remind me

I got my main gifts for people ages ago (they're wrapped and ready to go) but I still have to do stocking stuffers. What is not helping is that I am being forced home for Christmas and I really don't want to deal with my parents/sister/BIL then because in that crowd I do not feel welcome (I had the same issue at Thanksgiving).

[Arkansas Granny]

24. I've got most of mine done. I just need to fill in a few gaps and pick up

a few things for the goody bags that I fix up for the adults on my list. I usually include a pair of flannel pj bottoms, some fuzzy socks for around the house and some sort of little treat that they would ordinarily not buy for themselves.

[Dulcinea]

25. Done.

I finished it the week after Thanksgiving. I shop online as much as possible, & then take one day to get stocking stuffers, things for the kids, etc. that need to be bought at stores. I loathe Christmas shopping. I endeavor to get it over with a quickly as possible.

[siligut]

27. HAVE to get it done soon, have to mail most of them

Oh gods, why didn't I just buy those gift baskets from Costco when I was there last week? Who wouldn't want a tower of candy and cookies? My SIL would balk at the licorice, but I don't like her anyway. . . OK, I am off to Costco.

[tekisui]

30. Haven"t bought or made a single thing.

My wife and I are poor grad students living on loans. I am giving hugs this year.