Ghee Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I love shopping for Christmas presents starting about July :) While we've been on vacation I've bought: YDS a mama and baby Schleich camel set at the Natural History Museum, this will go in his stocking. DD a Van Gogh finger puppet and mug that has a "disappearing ear" when you add hot liquid. She is all about Van Gogh after seeing the Dr Who episode LOL ODS found this thing called a Pop Phone, and fell in love using the "try me" one that they had out with his iPod. They wanted $36 for it, but I quickly checked Amazon and found it for $18 with free shipping. Much better, I'll order it next time I have an order. I also bought my cousin, who is in his first year of law school, a sticky note set. It comes with little sticky flags that say "sign here", "initial here", "notarize", and "idiot". We share my uncle's warped sense of humor, so I know he'll get a laugh out of it. Anybody else squirrel things back all year? I didn't last year, and then couldn't get in the mood to shop once the season hit. I'm hoping I'll avoid that this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EducationX2 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I haven't started shopping, but I have started making my homemade list. I'm hoping to do some more homemade gifts this year. Last year I had a couple good ideas but... I *may* have waited too long to start and ran out of time. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Not shopping yet, but starting to plan stuff I need to make. Apparently I can't start making things after Thanksgiving and get it all done. :glare: And I really, really, really, really, really want to try homemade soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 oh, it's six months to christmas isn't it. does it count that I bid on an ornamnet on ebay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I bought DS one present because it was a buy-one-get-one 50% deal. He was with me and buying something with his money, so I got 50% off on the other thing for him for Christmas. I also bought a Taylor Swift CD for DD because I needed to spend a couple more dollars before getting free shipping on Amazon. It was on her list. I made a blanket for DD which I posted this week on here, and one for my son is about 1/4 of the way done. I have money set aside for Christmas shopping so I really should start. There are a couple things they want that might sell out around Christmas, like that Lego Friends house DD has been asking for non-stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I bought one thing for DH at Target last weekend, a Star Wars glassware set. It's stashed at my mom's house until December. I was worried they'd stop carrying them if I waited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I haven't officially bought anything....but I did pre-order something that should be releasing around November. I don't want it to sell out before I get it because I know that both DD's really want it for Christmas (it's the Skylanders Giants game). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 :blink: Um, it's July. I haven't even planned my school year, and then there's my oldest's 13th birthday, Halloween, my youngest's 10th birthday, Thanksgiving and THEN Christmas. So I guess the answer is, no.:lol: Blessings! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabrizia Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I'm making lists for the holidays already, but I haven't bought anything yet. That being said I have a bunch of stuff that I bought last year or a few years ago, that I may finally give to one or the other this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisel_le Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I love Christmas shopping all year! I find that when I wait until Nov, I stress out over the cost of everything. If I spread it out over the year, it doesn't affect me. :tongue_smilie: I have finished for all 4 nieces, 4 siblings, 1 nephew, and 3 sets of parents. I still have 1 sibling and 2 nephews left, plus my own kiddos and dh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live2Ride Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) We are doing a mostly homemade Christmas this year. There are some large repairs we need done on the house and a shed we want to build (small house=need storage space for larger stuff elsewhere:tongue_smilie:). I have started a pinterest page for myself on gifts I want to make the kids and DH. I have some cute fun things that I can't wait to start making I did do up a large amount of jars of spiced fig jam that I plan to give as gifts. I made the recipe up and it is so yummy! Edited July 20, 2012 by CountryGirl2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danybug Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I was just thinking about this the other day. I normally finish early, but I think I want to spread the expense out a little more this year. Once I am done this school years final purchases I will probably begin picking up little things here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 I haven't started shopping, but I have started making my homemade list. I'm hoping to do some more homemade gifts this year. Last year I had a couple good ideas but... I *may* have waited too long to start and ran out of time. :lol: I'm going to try to do some homemade things this year, too. I need to get started or it'll be the week before Christmas and I'll be thinking "Oh, I was going to make..." I bought one thing for DH at Target last weekend, a Star Wars glassware set. It's stashed at my mom's house until December. I was worried they'd stop carrying them if I waited. I saw that! My ODS said "We should buy that for Dad." I guess I really should go get it and put it back :D He has a set that I found in cleaning out the house, I think Burger King sold them at one time? We aren't allowed to USE those, though, as they might be "worth something someday" :glare: I also have a ST tee and phone case on the list for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaleidoscope Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Yep, started picking up little things. The plan this year is to only do stockings. Yikes! It's going to be hard to not buy more! So I'm picking up little treasures as I find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 What, are you and Ellie neighbors? Double torture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) Not only have I started - I'm done :tongue_smilie: All the big stores in Australia have huge Christmas toy sales in July - you put everything on layaway till Dec 24th and they let you have 6 months to pay it off. It's great because you don't have to store a single toy in your house till Christmas Eve which is great for my little sneaker who always figures out what she is getting before the event :glare: Edited July 20, 2012 by sewingmama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Goodness gracious, no. But now I feel like I am behind!:tongue_smilie: I bought one thing for DH at Target last weekend, a Star Wars glassware set. It's stashed at my mom's house until December. I was worried they'd stop carrying them if I waited. I saw those...totally cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2denj Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Haven't even started thinking about Christmas yet!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I bought several things for cousin after Christmas last year. They are in the closet with. Names on them already. I do that every year, because I only spend $10 a kid, so in order to get them something cool I have to buy ahead lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Yep, started picking up little things. The plan this year is to only do stockings. Yikes! It's going to be hard to not buy more! So I'm picking up little treasures as I find them. We cut back quite a bit last Christmas. We are cutting even more this year, I think. I'd love to do just stockings and a trip as a gift for everyone. I don't know that that would fly though. After my house cleaning spree, though, we are NOT buying junk just to unwrap something!! What, are you and Ellie neighbors? Double torture. Did she have a Christmas thread? I missed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 We just jump on a plane and go far away. No stress. Ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I just can't shop that far in advance. The thing my kid (or my husband) wants today may not still be on the list come November. Or it may have been purchased already. And, if I shop early, I just end up spending more, because I have to buy the newly-desired things in addition to the things I purchased six months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowstorm84 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 My kids are ready to make their Christmas lists...but we told them they needed to wait until Fall. Too many other things to plan and do before thinking about Christmas gifts. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 We just jump on a plane and go far away. No stress. Ever. Wow. You're living my dream. Tell me more.:bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I just can't shop that far in advance. The thing my kid (or my husband) wants today may not still be on the list come November. Or it may have been purchased already. And, if I shop early, I just end up spending more, because I have to buy the newly-desired things in addition to the things I purchased six months ago. I do the same thing! and what makes it even worse, I can never remember where I put the thing I bought 6mos earlier and so I end up stressing over what to buy and how can I be such a nut to lose what I bought earlier and I want off off! OFF! the Christmas crazy train! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 We just jump on a plane and go far away. No stress. Ever. I wish. Someday :) I just can't shop that far in advance. The thing my kid (or my husband) wants today may not still be on the list come November. Or it may have been purchased already. And, if I shop early, I just end up spending more, because I have to buy the newly-desired things in addition to the things I purchased six months ago. I don't buy the "BIG" gift. Or even really anything that is on their list (although sometimes the stars align, and that is nice!) I just most get stocking stuffers. Dds mug and puppet will either be a small gift or a large stocking stuffer. Probably a large stocking stuffer, she's my easy to buy for kid. The boys...not so much. I can't quite find my groove on boy shopping lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 In July? Never crossed my mind, but really, more power to you! That sounds quite organized & thoughtful! I will need to ponder this 'thinking ahead"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundAbout Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Yes, I bought the Playmobil Egyptian bundle that is on clearance at their website. I never by stuff in advance for Christmas but $50 or so for five sets that coincide with SOTW 1 was too fabulous to pass up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EducationX2 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I just can't shop that far in advance. The thing my kid (or my husband) wants today may not still be on the list come November. Or it may have been purchased already. And, if I shop early, I just end up spending more, because I have to buy the newly-desired things in addition to the things I purchased six months ago. :iagree:The homemade things I am doing are of the sort that I'm sure DD will still enjoy in 6 months. Some knitted things, jewelry, some keepsake type things. But as far as store-bought gifts, DD will definitely want something different in 6 months!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 no xmas shopping here. We are hitting birthday season. Next week starts us off and in a 6 week period all 4 of my kids have their birthdays. Once we get through all of that, THEN I can think about xmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 oh, it's six months to christmas isn't it. does it count that I bid on an ornamnet on ebay? Closer to five months, actually... :leaving: But who's counting?? :lol: No, I haven't started shopping yet. But I have started trying to help DS whittle down his "big gift" idea. He has a few in mind, naturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I haven't bought anything yet, just planned out the homemade stuff and started a bit of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Nope, I don't start this early any more. My kids interests change and they will all have birthdays between now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 No. I'm pretty sure that there is not one thing that anybody needs (or deserve most days :glare:) in this house, so I'm having a really hard time coming up with ideas of what to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly1730 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I thought I was doing well having a plan for b-days in August and September! I haven't given one thought to any Christmas plans for this year. See me in September, I may consider it then.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I don't buy the "BIG" gift. Or even really anything that is on their list (although sometimes the stars align, and that is nice!) I just most get stocking stuffers. We do themes for stockings, and stuffers are often the last things that get bought around here, because it's a chance to incorporate last-minute ideas. And our kids have never made lists. Our routine is that my husband and I each start making separate lists of ideas for the kids sometime in October. Around the first of November, we sit down and compare notes and agree on a general outline. We exchage e-mails every day or two while he's at work with updates. We try to be done with the shopping part before Thanksgiving, although we sometimes still order things online or pick up stocking stuffers through mid-December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5wolfcubs Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I just can't shop that far in advance. The thing my kid (or my husband) wants today may not still be on the list come November. Or it may have been purchased already. And, if I shop early, I just end up spending more, because I have to buy the newly-desired things in addition to the things I purchased six months ago. I'm sending you a pre-Christmas craft/shopping hug right now! :grouphug: As for Christmas, I have not started. I have not even shopped for my ds who has a birthday next week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 So I mentioned this thread to my DH. He gave me the look. :toetap05: I told him "nevermind." :tongue_smilie: I'm not cut out for buying early gifts. I'd find some reason to give them to the kids well before the holidays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Yep. Bought a bunch of playmobile on sale for my youngest, who also has a Jan bday. We have 4 August/Sept birthdays to get through first, along with curriculum to purchase so that's probably all I'll be thinking about Xmas for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 no xmas shopping here. We are hitting birthday season. Next week starts us off and in a 6 week period all 4 of my kids have their birthdays. Once we get through all of that, THEN I can think about xmas You too? My four kids all have their birthdays between early October and the end of November. But, like other posters, I can't buy in advance because tastes change too quickly or things get purchased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 no xmas shopping here. We are hitting birthday season. Next week starts us off and in a 6 week period all 4 of my kids have their birthdays. Once we get through all of that, THEN I can think about xmas Hmmm. Maybe that's why I start mid July.... Dh, myself, and the two oldest all have bdays late April to mid July. The youngest is in November, but he's the only straggler lol So, we are basically done with bdays for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Not yet, on vacation this week. However, we do have 4 grandkids birthdays happening and all 4 of my DD/DILs birthday happening in the next couple of months, so I am making lists and will get started as soon as I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I, too, have started shopping later in the year as my dc have gotten older. It has gotten harder to determine what the right gift would be. Dd is younger and is still easy to shop for. She loves everything! That said, I did actually make one Christmas purchase yesterday. My 14yo has begged me for . . . socks! And he even convinced me it was a good time to get them because I had a Kohls coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase. Now I just have to figure out how to creatively wrap them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Does anyone know if the price of Lego Mindstorms typically rises closer to Christmas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 You too? My four kids all have their birthdays between early October and the end of November. But, like other posters, I can't buy in advance because tastes change too quickly or things get purchased. Yup, all 4 of mine are from the end of July to mid Sept. If I buy presents early I end up giving them as birthday gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 no xmas shopping here. We are hitting birthday season. Next week starts us off and in a 6 week period all 4 of my kids have their birthdays. Once we get through all of that, THEN I can think about xmas Do you ever wonder about that? This time of year, I say to myself, "Dorinda? Couldn't you have planned a little better? Couldn't you have had one of these kids in the spring?" And then I remember I didn't REALLY plan on one of the girls;) and I go back to my regularly scheduled, mass chaos fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Michelle* Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I haven't started shopping yet, but I've started putting lists together so I can make sure our monthly budgeted amount will cover what we'd like to get for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessed3x Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Only 3 things so far, but it is a start. Best Buy emails their 'deal of the day'. Last week was a $49.99 PC game for $7.99. Score! I bought it for my oldest's fiance. Target has some toys 50-65% off so I got a nephew's gift there yesterday. Today Groupon had the Buckey Balls on sale (best price otherwise is double) and ds 10 had asked for another set, so I just ordered one of them. In case anyone else is interested: http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-buckyballs-buckycubes?c=all&p=1 I enjoy shopping during the holidays, but getting some of the smaller items as I find them certainly does help the budget. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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