Crazy or smart? Holiday shopping.

mcclan03 · July 2014

So it occurred to me during a recent awake-at-4am episode that this baby is going to arrive not too long before the holidays get into full swing (EDD 10/31). This wasn't a huge epiphany, but then I thought, what about Christmas shopping?? How am I going to fit that in?

I am usually a pretty big procrastinator, but I'm thinking of trying to get my Christmas shopping done, well, now, or over the next few months. I don't have a ton of gifts to buy, but it's enough so that it would stress me out trying to shop in November, like I usually do.

Is this overkill? Or a stroke of genius? And while we're at it, any other ideas for keeping yourself sane during the holidays this year?

Raesofsunshine1 · July 2014

Theres nothing wrong with buying them now IMO, but could you shop online? The deals are usually better then.

SusieBW · July 2014

I was on maternity leave with DD during this same time frame, and I did more for Christmas that year than any other year of my life. DD and I went out shopping all the time, and when we were home, she slept a lot, so I made a million cookies and fudge and everything else for cookie trays that year, too. I've never done cookie trays before or since that year.

But I see nothing wrong with starting to shop now. Hell, my MIL is probably already done with her Christmas shopping. And there is always online. Amazon is pretty awesome.

cshade07 · July 2014

I started my Christmas shopping a month ago. Haha I have my lists made out of who to buy for and what to get this year.. I've been tracking good sales & I'm hoping to have a lot accomplished by the time baby boy comes along so I can enjoy as many snuggles as possible and not be stressed over shopping! Plus I'm one of those crazies that always has her tree up first thing in November.... Lol we love the holidays around here a bit too much..

DaniGrace89 · July 2014

Actually a fantastic idea.

Not sure about sending my hubby out to buy gifts and taking the little bean with may be too chaotic.

There is always amazon.

yella726 · July 2014

SMART! I thought about this and the idea of having everything done (and even possibly wrapped) before LO arrives is SOOO enticing!

Now to actually do it...

caranichole · July 2014

My mom has stuff on her closet that she bought last Christmas time to give this Christmas lol 3-4 mths to me seems pretty normal.

[Deleted User] · July 2014

I was thinking about the same thing! I won't be getting paid for most of my maternity leave, and won't be able to afford to buy gifts then. I might start early too.

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

I started doing this already as well. I figured it wouldn't hurt to start now. I am not usually one to shop this early but as I come across things, I might as well. Also helping me to spread out the expense rather than everything at once.

atraveller · July 2014

Christmas is huge in DH's family, so it's always a big to do with the gifts. (My family is Jewish and we don't make a big deal of Hannukah at all). I think your idea is perfect, in fact I was planning the same. I told DH we needed to start planning gifts next month and have it at least partially done by September. He is not thrilled but tended to agree. We do shop a bunch online, but there is a lot of personalization and planning that goes into every gift bought, so we discussed if not buying, at least having the list of what we're going to get mostly completed before Lo comes. We also talked about downgrading our budgets for each other to save money for baby stuff, so we will go smaller in that area.

SusieBW - LOL - my MIL probably has most of her Xmas shopping done already too. She starts like a month after January.

wildflower75 · July 2014

I want to take new born photos with Christmas outfits that I can use for personalized ornaments. Now we just have to see if it actually happens! I also want to order some jewelry for my mom and grandmother and MIL with the birthstones of all of their children and now grandchildren! I'll have to wait for LO to be born since I'm borderline between an Oct birth and a Nov birth!

MorganWP · July 2014

My auntie pretty much does all her shopping on Boxing Day. (The 26th in Canada is a big sale day, similar to black friday)

I'll probably go shopping a week or two before like every year. It'll be hectic but ah well.

Emerald27 · July 2014

Totally a stroke of genius!!

DH and I like to make Christmas gifts for family and friends (thoughtful and inexpensive...usually edible), and this year we are planning to make preserves of some sort and bake shortbread cookies to send with the jars of preserves. I've already bought the jars and fabric to make squares for the jar lids, so all I need is labels and to make the preserves.

This is a great gift because it can be (mostly...minus the cookies) made so far in advance. It's one of the "projects" on my list for September.

vrj0522 · July 2014

I think it's a great idea! Go for it! I know there's tons of people who get Christmas shopping done early for no real reason so doing it as a preventative measure is a great idea!

ariel06 · July 2014

I buy all year round when I find good deals or a gift I think someone would love. Ideally, I'd love to wrap whatever I already have and know what we still need to get before baby is here. DS1 and DS2 will both be in school in the mornings, so I'll have plenty of time to work on stuff starting in September.

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

I'm all for starting early, but I also think after a month or so being inside is going to get old and we will all be out spending our days at Target or the mall (yes, I know...flu season...it will happen though). So I wouldn't kill myself trying to get it all done now, I spent a ridiculous amount of time (and money) at Target while on maternity leave with DD and she is a Chicago born February baby!

Although...this time...with two...who knows!

KariAnnM 23 · July 2014

@jalara48 I love your photo in a nice frame gift idea!

BreandMikewedding · July 2014

I plan on doing my shopping like I always do, on black Friday. I always find amazing deals and since I'm not looking for the super cheap electronics like everyone else, I get in and out fast! We don't have space to store presents for long and the clutter would drive me so crazy that I would probably return it all if I bought it now. Lol

Babies r us always has boxes of their diapers and wipes for cheap on black Friday. We buy the max we can (I think it's a limit of 4 boxes per person) and then use them all year. I actually haven't bought wipes for ds since last black Friday and still have a ton left!

KariAnnM 23 · July 2014

@BreandMikewedding‌ Thanks for letting us know about BRU Black Friday diapers!!!

andrieya · July 2014

Genius! There have been two years where I had all of my shopping done before November--it makes for a much more enjoyable and stress-free season! And you'll certainly not want one more thing on your plate! ....unless it's more pumpkin pie. :P

Waterlilly11 · July 2014

I was thinking of this too.. I am just keeping my eyes open for anything that really stands out. I'd like to get as much as possible done but I'm not going to stress over it either. Worse case, I will prob just go online.

MrsL2B · July 2014

@jalara48 has the right idea. Baby photos for everyone!

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