Christmas Shopping

[Dark Angel]

I'm just now starting, and am dreading it.

[goldie]

Originally Posted by MacMan

About 5 years ago my family (parents and one sibling) decided... You know what, let's just scrap buying each other gifts that we end up not know what to do with or don't like (and can't remember what we got each other from year to year) and just buy for the young kids in the family, never mind the adults. Besides, we are all adults.. I don't really need anything, they certainly don't need anything... Plus usually when ever we need something we just go and get it! So far it's been working out really great... No hassles shopping... No trying to figure out what everyone would want or like.. No getting caught up in the xmas madness that is over spending for no reason. It's great, it's simpler, and it's back to basics in a way, where we are all just together for the holidays. Except I won't be with them this year

So everyone just saves their money and shops on boxing day or during the week after for the sales lol

This is what we are doing this year for the first time. It is soooo liberating! The cool thing is there are no young kids in my family at the moment and my husband is Jewish!

I see the malls and the stores packed with cars and I have a little chuckle.

I am debating whether or not to even mail Christmas cards out this year.

Having said that, I do respect those who do want to buy gifts and send cards. I am just trying this out this year to see how it feels.

[ragandbone]

Originally Posted by MacMan

About 5 years ago my family (parents and one sibling) decided... You know what, let's just scrap buying each other gifts that we end up not know what to do with or don't like (and can't remember what we got each other from year to year) and just buy for the young kids in the family, never mind the adults. Besides, we are all adults.. I don't really need anything, they certainly don't need anything... Plus usually when ever we need something we just go and get it! So far it's been working out really great... No hassles shopping... No trying to figure out what everyone would want or like.. No getting caught up in the xmas madness that is over spending for no reason. It's great, it's simpler, and it's back to basics in a way, where we are all just together for the holidays. Except I won't be with them this year

So everyone just saves their money and shops on boxing day or during the week after for the sales lol

My husband and I tried to get his family to do this, and his sisters all ended up getting us gifts anyway, which made us feel sort of lame. Last year, we went back to the old method. His family is an unstoppable force of tradition. We are required to sit in silence in front of the tree, watching the candles burn (they put candles on the tree) while the old scratchy record of Vienna choir boys plays Silent Night.
I really think reducing the gift exchange is great idea, though, and I am glad to hear it is working for your family.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

I have a question on propriety.

90% of my firends and family are readers and they love to get books for Birthdays and Holidays.
My new position as book buyer means that I ususally get review copies of most books I need.
If I weren't a buyer, I would be buying these books for gifts anyway, is it bad form that I get them for free and give them away?

I don't think it is bad form at all. I get all kinds of crazy promotional stuff from shows and films, and people are thrilled to get it. I get those kind of gifts as well and it has never bothered me.

[EnchantedSLN]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

I have a question on propriety.

90% of my firends and family are readers and they love to get books for Birthdays and Holidays.
My new position as book buyer means that I ususally get review copies of most books I need.
If I weren't a buyer, I would be buying these books for gifts anyway, is it bad form that I get them for free and give them away?

Nah. It doesn't matter what you spend (or don't spend). It's the thought that counts. If you think the books are something your friends would enjoy, it's not important that you happened to get them for free. The only way I would consider it lame is if you just looked around your house and decided you had a bunch of books to get rid of so you randomly substituted them for actual gifts regardless of whether you thought your friends would be interested in them or not. But you said they're avid readers who enjoy getting books and you'd probably end up buying books for them anyway, so that's different.

I'm assuming your copies would still look new and all, and it's not like books are packaged so they probably wouldn't be able to tell... but if even if they could, if anyone were actually bothered by the thought of getting a used book, they should re-evaluate what the holidays are about .

Jeez, you guys are good. I haven't even started my holiday shopping yet. But I have an idea of what to get most of my friends. It's just my mom, and one of my roommates that are difficult. The roomie will have to wait until after break for hers though... anytime I've had a chance to go shopping lately, she's been with me.

[SuzeQuze]

I'm taking Thursday off to finish my shopping, I only need to get a few things. I did most of my shopping on Target.com and this boutique called Funusual. I had fun shopping this year unlike years past. Now I make a spreadsheet with a budget for each person and really try to stick to it. It has helped me reel in my spending. I'm also going to wind up having spent $500 this year. It would be very difficult to get it lower than that. My cards are waiting to be done, I picked them up last year after Christmas at 50% off.