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csziggy

(34,120 posts)
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 12:47 AM Nov 2018

Finished my Christmas shopping today!

Well, almost. All the shopping for adults is done. The kids will get gift cards to bookstores so that part is easy.

My family gave up exchanging gifts in 2001 after GW Bush advised us to go shopping. MY husband's family went to drawing names but a couple of years ago they decided to do a"dirty Santa" exchange. Everyone brings one present wrapped. The first picks one and opens it. The second can take that present or pick another wrapped present. If your present is taken, you get to select another but each present can be selected only three times (once originally, then "stolen" twice). It's funnier than it sounds.

I picked out a Cuisinart stick blender that comes with a whisk attachment and a mini chopper. I've had one for several years and it is very handy. My husband needed a new atomic clock with exterior temperature gauge so he bought two - one for us and one to gift.

Yeah! Halfway done with the holidays!

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Finished my Christmas shopping today! (Original Post) csziggy Nov 2018 OP
Don't tell me True Dough Nov 2018 #1
This year we did all the shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond locally csziggy Nov 2018 #8
I did last week underpants Nov 2018 #2
I'm almost done and haven't started. Rorey Nov 2018 #3
Same here. We are secular. Laffy Kat Nov 2018 #13
good for you.... chillfactor Nov 2018 #4
I wish we could share our holiday with you csziggy Nov 2018 #9
I hear you. llmart Nov 2018 #12
I am not only almost done but it's all wrapped Freddie Nov 2018 #5
Wrapping is throwing the boxes into gift bags csziggy Nov 2018 #11
Nowadays TlalocW Nov 2018 #6
Yes - that is what my family decided csziggy Nov 2018 #10
Sounds like a Yankee Swap? smirkymonkey Nov 2018 #7

True Dough

(17,095 posts)
1. Don't tell me
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 12:49 AM
Nov 2018

what I'm getting. I like a surprise!



Is all your shopping done in the bricks and mortar stores or online or a combination?

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
8. This year we did all the shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond locally
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 10:50 AM
Nov 2018

Various reasons - the only place that carries the atomic clock/weather station and we had a coupon.

I generally prefer buying locally. I used to go in and select books for the kids but now I am not as in touch with children's book trends or the kids themselves (we're now working on our great nephews).

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
3. I'm almost done and haven't started.
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 01:17 AM
Nov 2018


I don't do much shopping, really. I give the kids and grandkids mostly money. I've picked up some toys throughout the year that I'll be giving to some little girls who otherwise wouldn't get much. I do like the idea of your "Dirty Santa" thing, but it's unlikely that we'll do it this year. Too much family drama.

Laffy Kat

(16,356 posts)
13. Same here. We are secular.
Sun Nov 18, 2018, 08:23 PM
Nov 2018

I may or may not put up a few lights. It's mostly just about the togetherness and food nowadays and it's so less stressful. I guess I'll give each kid a check, too, because they need the money, LOL.

chillfactor

(7,566 posts)
4. good for you....
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 01:24 AM
Nov 2018

I live on social security so I have no money for Christmas presents. My kids are all living in other states far away so I spend Christmas alone watching movies on Hallmark.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
9. I wish we could share our holiday with you
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 10:53 AM
Nov 2018

I hope you will have a good time even alone.

Some years I just want to stay home and not spend time with my in-laws. My family does not get together any more, especially now that my Mom is gone. I had no kids so we do like to see (some of) our nieces and nephews and now the great nephews. But I get worn out with the exuberance of the children!

llmart

(15,501 posts)
12. I hear you.
Sun Nov 18, 2018, 07:09 PM
Nov 2018

I live on a fixed income also and I have two grown children who both make a boatload of money and go out and buy just about anything they want, so it seems ludicrous for me to try to get them anything. Once in awhile I'll find something smallish that they would never think to buy for themselves and they are thrilled with it. I have only one grandchild who's three and she has so many people who buy for her that if she never got another toy, she'd be happy. I did get her two small presents that my daughter said she knows she'll like and that's about it for me.

When you get older so many people from the past are gone and the holidays can be difficult for some of us. Also, many of my friends and family are into downsizing as am I, so the last thing they want is more stuff! I've never been a big fan of most holidays, except for Thanksgiving. It's the one holiday they haven't co-opted with commercialism. I hate being told I have to buy something on a particular day or do something on a particular day. I've never been a mainstream sort of person.

Freddie

(9,232 posts)
5. I am not only almost done but it's all wrapped
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 01:26 AM
Nov 2018

Just 3 more little things yet to arrive on the porch or mailbox. Plus a bottle of wine for my brother, and something for each of the extended family pets (6 cats and my granddog), which I get at the supermarket. I usually get the shopping done before Thanksgiving but put off the wrapping til the last minute.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
11. Wrapping is throwing the boxes into gift bags
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 10:57 AM
Nov 2018

Yes, there is wrapping paper up in the attic but since gift bags have become common we just use them. If they are gently treated, we'll re-use the bags we get for the next year. And they give an easy way to carry stuff home.

TlalocW

(15,359 posts)
6. Nowadays
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 02:11 AM
Nov 2018

We just buy for the kids. The adults used to draw names, but we kept the price on gifts under $25, and I made the observation that as adults, we pretty much able to buy whatever we want when it's under $25 so we ditched it. We might give one another a little something that caught our eye that we think the person would like, but no one feels slighted if they don't have gifts.

TlalocW

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
10. Yes - that is what my family decided
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 10:55 AM
Nov 2018

My husband's family is more into Christmas so they like seeing people open presents. Drawing names was a hassle since we seldom see many of his family members and have no idea what they like or need. The swap thing is more fun and everybody gets involved.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
7. Sounds like a Yankee Swap?
Sat Nov 17, 2018, 02:29 AM
Nov 2018

sounds much easier than shopping for everyone. I am thinking of telling people this year that they don't have to get me anything and I won't get them anything. I don't think it will go over well, but I am tired of going into debt just to get gifts for people they don't want and to receive gifts that I don't want. It all seems kind of pointless.

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