My annual Holiday shopping frenzy is typically triggered by the arrival of pumpkins and scarecrows, and fueled by my trick-or-treat loot. I know many people like to get started on their shopping lists in March, but I find that Holiday excitement mixed with Holiday anxiety makes for a very productive adrenalin cocktail, while the endless last minute additions to my list truly test my Holiday Spirit. Do you wait for Thanksgiving or do you get an earlier start?
Every year I try to pretend that it is just not true. The the holidays creep up once again and I debate if I am going to buy gifts or not. What then happens is I spend a day the sat. before christmas buying things. I go to the local shops rather than the mass chains and somehow that makes me feel better about the ridiculousness of it all.
10.26.2007
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I used to be really good about buying throughout the year. It reduces holiday stress and it also spreads out the spending, so I wasn't dead broke by Christmas morning. IN recent years, I have gotten kind-of slack about my summer Christmas shopping. The good news is that in my family, we adults have quit exchanging with each other. That cuts down on the stress considerably; buying for children is fun!
10.26.2007
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I buy throughout the year, whenever I see something that I love for a person. I put everything away with a note for who it's for. It's a little obsessive, I know, but I don't end up with huge holiday expenditures. It also allows me to bargain hunt and not make choices that may not be right just because I'm in a rush.
10.26.2007
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I try to buy things when I see them, but often I don't begin until December. I come from a large family, so am hoping people will stop the giftgiving chaos and only buy toys or books for the nieces and nephews. I don't really need anything. Or I may suggest we give money in a siblings' name to their favorite charity or nonprofit.
10.25.2007
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I usually start around the first of Decmeber. Some people like to do it early to avoid the crowds, but I do most of my shopping online...I go to the stores because I like the hustle and bustle holiday feel.
10.25.2007
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Usually a week and a half before Christmas but if I see something somewhere that would make a perfect Christmas present for someone I just grab it.
10.25.2007
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I usually stick around in procrastination station until about December 23rd, when the immense pressure finally jolts me into some sort of action. And, hopefully by that time I've opened something I can conveniently regift and not have to shop at all.
10.25.2007
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Whenever I see something that makes sense for someone.
10.25.2007
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If I travel to a foreign land, I try to do it then. But this year, I'm hoping I get the short straw and that I only have to buy a few. If that's the case, then it's the last minute linger for everything that nobody needs. Read: I'm not much of a shopper. :-)
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