Does anyone do all their xmas shopping online?

[Frog253]

Seems as if I will have very few shopping opportunites in the run up to Christmas. So I've ordered the food (same as always) and books, DVDs are of course easy. However not sure that I can manage every present without looking at it first. Also clothes can be tricky to get right online.
If you do manage to avoid the Christmas crowds how do you manage the volume of deliveries and potential returns (worst bit of internet shopping imo) associated with the internet?
Also do you feel as if you miss out on last minute Christmas bargains?

[knittedbreast]

I dont shop online at all really. I feel it takes the fun out of it.

also shipping issues, returns, warehouse issues, logistics, delivery company problems are too much of a risk for me anyway!

[shesparkles]

I've done the bulk of my xmas shopping online for years as I really can't stand the crowds.
Deliveries are relatively easy because although I do work, my shift pattern allows me to have a lot of time at home. I can't think that I've ever had to return more than a couple of things over the years, so it's never really been an issue.
I'm not worried about missing bargains as I tend to stick to a list, and once I've got what's on the list I don't look again!
The one thing I would say is to start early though, as there's less chance of things being out of stock, but then that's the same online or offline

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

Yes, every single last bit of it. I might pick up the odd bit of I happen to be out, but actually going to the shops in November/December to to Christmas shopping? My idea of hell.

I do very occasionally miss out on internet bargains but on the flip side have been able to make the most of any vouchers doing the rounds and the moment (there's a 20% off at ELC this half term, so taking full advantage of that for the many children I need to buy for for xmas)

Don't do it in dribs and drabs - do it in 3 or 4 large chunks so that you don't have a contant stream of parcels in the run up to xmas. I also get it delivered to work, but then I'm the person who signs for deliveries so it's fine for me (other people are banned, arf)

Amazon is great for returns, so if you can get a large amount of it from there for the same price, then that's that bit sorted (make sure it's amazon sellers though, not 3rd party sellers)

..and most importantly - finish it all my 30th November. For the last 2 years Royal Mail have been totally overwhelmed by parcels in December (and obviously last years snow didn't help)

[Frog253]

You see I am including clothes as well and tried to order a Boden dress for a couple of dos and perhaps the day itself...but a 9 week wait for it. I didn't think that I would have so little time to go to the shops, dh's work pattern has changed and has impacted my plans.

[gregssausageroll]

Yes, pretty much all of it. I do love the shops at Christmas but I hate the pressure of buying so I shop online and have a wonder if non emergency essentials in the shops,.

[Frog253]

Jareth thanks for the tips. Couldn't get stuff delivered to work but I'm only there three days a week and I have very helpful neighbours.
Going to try and avoid the shops until we have a free morning BUT don't want to overload my precious few hours in the shops searching for too much.

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

Our local post office have already started hoarding the parcels and only bringing things round once a week , so we always get a big haul on Mondays. Not sure why they feel the need to start doing this in October

[girlywhirly]

My DH was so upset by his Amazon order getting delayed by snow last year, (it only just arrived Christmas eve!) that he bought presents from them last week! I'm impressed, he was always a late Christmas shopper previously.

[Becaroooo]

The vast majority of them, yes.

Had some good bargains from the amazon, boots and debenhams sale this year. Have picked up a few stocking fillers from the local supermarkets when I have been in, but 95% done online.

PIL and my parents are getting theatre vouchers this year (as requested) and my SIL has asked for money towards a lamp.

Only 2 more cousins dc left to buy for now and will wait til I get my tesco vouchers to get theirs and little extras.

[suburbandream]

I did most of it online last year because I broke my arm at the beginning of December when we had the awful snow. However, said snow also meant some things got delayed and/or didn't turn up (only to arrive after Xmas!) so I would advise doing it asap. I don't buy clothes because of the potential for things having to be returned due to size/quality. By the way, if you are shopping online, everyone please don't forget sites such as TheGivingMachine and EasyFundraising, where you log on to them first, nominate a charity and then their website directs you to the store you want, eg Amazon. The charity gets a % donation at no cost to you

[wheredidiputit]

I do most of it online. But I make sure I have it done by the end of the first week in November.

I also go through Quidco so i get cashback as well.

[pissedrightoff]

I've done ALL my shopping online and am adding food & drink bits and bobs to the weekly online shop to put away for Christmas.

The only thing I will go proper shopping for is wrapping paper and Christmas jammies nearer the time, just so I feel Christmassy.

[StoneSoup]

I have done almost all of it online for the past 5 years. I buy everything on my list (plus book an online food shop nearer the time), and in the last few days before Xmas I pop out and get any little additions. Very relaxing.

[Frog253]

Well, have made a start! Want to get a fair bit done this month, spreading the cost and so on. I have even ordered gift bags from ebay for my nieces pressies to go in. Not feeling quite so overwhelmed with it all now and will try and get the majority done before mid-November.

[LordOfTheFlies]

DH does alot of shopping via Amazon. 2 years ago we searched for 'Rabbids Go Home'.It was sold out everywhere but we managed to get in on Amazon, delivered 24th Dec.

I buy from QVC (alot)
I don't do food shopping online as a rule (except when I had no car last month).

DH and I do a child-free shopping day in November.He carries the bags, I treat him to lunch.

Other than that,I like searching out the little stocking gifts.They are the most tricky.Not to spend alot but to buy nice,fun,useful things for DC

[STIDW]

I have mobility problems and do virtually all of my shopping online, although I do go into shops to browse before buying. Normally I don't buy anything for Christmas until at least the middle of November. By then I've a pretty good idea what I'm getting and don't need to return very much.

[Shinyshoes1]

This is the first year i've done most of mine online.

No particular reason , the prices from Amazon and Play etc, isn't that far off the high street stores and with free delivery I might as well get it delivered saves traipsing the very hot shops.

I will probably do this from now on as long as the internet store prices stay the same as high st shops.

[Shinyshoes1]

Plus I only work 3 days a week so I'm here mainly when they will be delivered , also my neighbours will take stuff in for me.

I have done what a previous poster has said I do it in 3 or 4 big chunks

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Have always done mine online, its cheaper and easier and can do bulk loads without having to worry about carrying it all. Picked up a lot in the sales and had all my paper, cards and ribbon in the jan sales for very little. Never had to return any presents as I dont tend to buy people clothes.

Food shopping will be booked online and i'll only venture to town if friends want to go and I fancy picking up a few extras.

[FlossieFromCrapstonVillas]

Yes! John Lewis & Amazon all the way.

[KinkyandGhoulishDorito]

The vast majority of it is online. I do it early (already have all of DCs presents bought and wrapped) so I don't need to worry about snow affecting delivery. I work full time, but royal mail will redeliver on a Saturday, or occasionally I have to drive to a depot to pick up bits. It is cheaper and there is more choice. I'm buying a lot of toys, which is harder to do on the high street now and places like Toys R Us charge a lot more, unless you are lucky to hit a deal weekend (and don't mind the fight with everyone else). Another thing I do is reserve things in store at Argos using their website, so I just pop down and pick them up.

The downside for me is self-control. Everything is bought, but I still find myself having a little browse... I started to use Ebay properly to buy this year. Fatal. [hgrin]

[hophophippidtyhop]

i do all mine online except food. last year i got most of it delivered to dp at work so dd1 didn't see it arrive, but she's at school this year and dd2 is only 14 months, so not a problem. Get much more choice than if i went to the shops, can browse for an eternity without wearing my feet out, and don't have to lug it home!

[Frog253]

Done a big M and S order - includes clothes for the DCs and a couple of toys. Also a top for me [hsmile]. Less and less for me to get from the shops....