How do you 'do' your Christmas shopping?

[PenguinBear]

Today was my first proper shopping day for Christmas. I usually don't even think about it till November but work is pretty hectic this term and we have building work at home so I wanted to get a head start.

I have a mental list in my head that I wrote this morning.
I've bought some bits to go with a doll she wanted and have got a Furby Boom. I think these will be a big seller this year so got in quick so I could get the right pattern.

Anyone recommend any shops I can get reasonably good stuff at a low price?

Thanks :)

I do a spreadsheet too, the same tabs too lol
I use colours, though red for needs to be ordered, orange it's ordered but not physical then green when I've got it.
It's got a cost bit that totals it too - that's the scary bit.
Must add my letterbox stuff!

i buy bargains throughout the year, I will only buy things that are heavily discounted early though (got a load of happyland in February at 50% off and used a voucher to get an extra 20% off at checkout).

use online to research where to get the presents I want at the best prices, but tend to buy in store if I can to avoid delivery charges.

am I the only one who buys high street gift vouchers? I pay for them monthly and get them early November to do the bulk of what's left to buy, usually go and do a kids shop and another day doing a grown up shop (and then spend what's left on the kids) love spending them!

Happy you can have several wishlists on amazon - maybe make a separate one for each person and move the items onto them instead? I've done that in the past.

Christ(mas) on a Bike I just totted up my wishlist totals, 776

Admittedly there are lots of duplicates/different options to choose from etc and loads that will never be bought, but still... Time for a cull!

Glad I'm not on my own, Damnautocorrect. :)

I've been shopping on and off since DD2's birthday.

Basically i add things to te girls amazon lists (under mine) and then keep an eye on the price. When it drops super low i buy.

i also use www.hotukdeals.com, amazon todays deals, play.com preloved.

and now i've started buying i have a word document with a table in for each DD

i also have a separate one with other peoples presents on just to keep an eye to what i've bought

I'm going to have to go out this week and get the Christmas Jumpers before they go.

I've decided to buy all the things I need to shop for (as in physically go to the shops) in October.
Then I can spent November and December just browsing and have it mainly done.
Tinterweb shopping in Nov/early December.

I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of everything.
First column lists people's names
Second column is gift ideas which I jot down throughout the year, or the actual present once I've bought the final one,
Third column is price,
Fourth is where I bought it from,
and this year I've added the date I bought/ordered it too.

I find this helps me with certain items, for example those big boxes of Celebrations/Roses/etc go on offer for a fiver usually, but for a week or two in Oct/Nov somewhere usually has them on offer for £4. I know it's silly, but I try and make little savings in everything I buy.

The price columns auto add up so I can keep track of costs. Once I'm down to my final choice for someone I research the hell out of it to get the best deal! I also buy the odd thing throughout the year if I see something good, and put it away.

I also menu plan in advance, and buy non-perishables I know I'll use in advance. For example, we have a box in our pantry with condiments and biscuits, and I'll buy up baking bits in between now and then too. In theory come Christmas I'll only need to buy the fresh items like meat and vegetables.

i try to do as much as possible online saves the shops and i use my next catalouge for their xmas day oufits if i have to il go to the main town lol :)

I''m a big fan of Etsy and Folksy - mind you I don't tell people that! I get a lot of credit for coming up with really imaginative gifts - especially my daughter who is completely amazed that her silly mum is such an original gift giver!!!

Another benefits is that I cannot abide big businesses that escape all the tax loopholes the rest of us can't!I

The Amazon fairy all the way. Foody bits from Waitrose or Marks. I buy half in October, half in November and vouchers in December. Never stressed at all. Christmas food just before.

Amazon

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