I know people who do all of their Christmas shopping Christmas Eve, while others take advantage of "Black Friday" (the day after Thanksgiving, when stores open 5 a.m.) to start their Christmas and Hanukkah shopping. When do you start getting ready for all of the madness? This season is probably the one that speeds up on us the fastest.

this year im hoping to get everything done before the insane xmas stuff goes on hopefully before thanksgiving but that never seems to happen.

Until the last two years, I have typically always been the Christmas Eve shopper (or the 23rd). 

That shopping did create some favorite Holiday memories, especially when done with family.

WOO, I got a JOLT of reality last year and it just is too stressful with a little guy to shop like that...

Now the new style has formed, same strategy as I use for everything - the dreaded LIST.  I only say dreaded because I made so much fun of my mom and her lists when I was a teen, yet, now I live by them.  If I did not have my lists I think I would be far more scattered than I am and that is a very scary thought.

I will start picking up a few things each time I am out, if I find something. 

I am a pick up as I go sort of lady.  I make my list before Thanksgiving and through the weeks of being out at whatever stores, I pick things up that I've decided on.  I could never be a christmas eve shopper or I would be a nervous wreck!!!  I like to have everything wrapped and under the tree a week before christmas....

We are just buying for our kids this year.  Or so that was what the family decided, they better stick to it. LOL!  Anyway, their one big gift is already purchased, so I need one small gift for each child. I have nephews, the are all getting money.  Piece of cake.

 

When I was pregnant with Olivia I developed my strategy, She was due the 7th of December which would have been shopping time.... who wants to go out with new born and toddler in tow.... I started shopping in October just to make sure I was done before she arrived.

And I have been doing that ever since... nieces and nephews get $$$ here too... Moms and dads get gift certificates usually to favorite restaurant and Jess and I always get our siblings cool shirts and a movie or cd

Jesse is the Christmas eve shopper that a way we dont have time to snoop ... I'm notorious for that. Last Christmas he got me my kick ass camera, which I ask to open first so I could use to take pics of the kids he looked so sad when he found out I knew what I got... .silly guy left the receipt out on the table next to is wallet.

I actually did start shopping already too!!  I have quite a few things stocked up.  I picked up some toys and books for elliott at yard sales in the summer too.  I figure why pay $50.00 when I can pay $1.00 and all he usually doesn't play with it for long anyway!!! LOL!!!

But BLACK FRIDAY is my favorite day!!!  My mom and my aunt and I have gone out every year since I was young.  I LOVE IT!!!  We go of course at 5 am!!!  and always stop for a big lunch!!! Even if we don't buy much it is soooo much fun being with my mom!!!  A few years ago I invited my good friend to go with us and now she is an addict too!!!

Well this year is going to be different. I am going to start here in about a week to do our Christmas Shopping. Usally by now I am just about done with it. But we bought our house in January. So makes money a little tight. But hubby starts over time tomorrow. So that will make things a little easier on us. I have so many people to buy for that I think I am going to go crazy. I am not even sure that we will buy for everyone. Some might have to wait intill after christmas.lol

Hello   As long as  I have been shopping   I start out getting  some things  ,then as Season begins   I get few more cause dont like what I got anymore and list just grows and rows each year  by time Christmas arrives     mailed stuff usually arrives  day late!!!!!! At least a day lol   and finish few days after Christmas w last min lol     Bleack Friday is for certain items only

I love Black Friday but I never seems to have enough money that weekend to do too much shopping. I still go out though, because it's fun to rush around and see what the big deal is this year.

I would love to be one of those people that have it all done before the season starts...it certainly would make the season brighter. My siblings and I often bring up how much more fun Christmas was when we were little and didn't have to worry about gifts. The stress starts the day after Halloween, because the time seems to fly as soon as it's over.

My mother-in-law was one of those people who get things throughout the year and by December she has an attic full of things. But I never get a chance to do that with all of the other birthdays and stuff.

I start around Black Friday and am super stressed right up until Christmas Eve. I also love the idea of JUST buying for the kids, but that would never fly in my family. Somehow Christmas turns into a competition with my sibs and I about who's getting Mom the best gift. My brother usually wins, since he makes as much money as my hubby and he has only himself to support.

I think you've all just inspired me to start now...I miss the joy of the holiday season.

i buy 1 to 2 presents a month starting with sept-oct that way money is spread and we dont have a huge bill

I hate Black Friday.  To me, the money you save isn't worth the hassle of dealing with all the people.  I never go shopping that day.  I try to do most of my shopping on-line.  You can usually catch good sales there too.