Christmas shopping

[AlrightThen]

Do you enjoy Christmas shopping?

How old are you?

Love it. In (denial) between 40-50.

We do it throughout the year, then have one final trip in December where we only need to get wrapping paper etc, so we’re not lugging heavy bags around and can enjoy stopping for a coffee and enjoy the shops nicely decorated without feeling rushed or harassed.

Only if I’m not doing it last minute. Intrigued as to why you think age matters?

Not especially. I like it all purchased and wrapped by the end of November to leave us free for festive fun in December. 40’s.

Yes if DH and I have a child free day to do it with lunch in the middle. Happiness!

Yes this is utter bliss 😍

I have a system which means that I don't really do Xmas shopping.

I add things to my wishlist throughout the year, as I see them and think xxx would like that. Then one day in November I sit down for an hour and just order everything. It arrives over the next couple of weeks and I stick everything in xmassy fabric tote bags with a label saying who it's for.

I used to like going to the shops when interesting shops still existed but half the highstreet is empty units now and what's left is the same set of shops in every city and retail park.

I love planning, listing and getting things together so I don't really do a full Christmas shopping day to buy presents. I tend to do a day out shopping with my mam instead where I buy myself something to wear to Christmas parties and have lunch and a few drinks which is really nice and less pressured.

My husband and I will do a joint trip to Smyth's though as there's something about it that reminds me of (a less magical) Toys R Us trip when I was little.

Love it, love Christmas. I shop throughout the year though rather than going for one big Christmas shop in December, and do a lot of it online. But I really enjoy it.

I'm 32, not sure why that'd relevant though!

Love it. I take the first two Fridays off in December to get it all done and wrapped without children around.

It depends who I'm shopping for. For children, especially my 3 DC, I love it. I love the planning and thinking of ideas of what they'll love and the actual shopping and looking for/getting bargains, wrapping and giving! I seem to start earlier and earlier each year!

I also have 7 nieces and nephews who I used to love shopping for but increasingly I get sent 'suggestions' (read instructions!) of what to buy them from their parents so no joy in that really.

Adults, no. And aside from my parents and DH I don't buy for adults. It's just so depressingly transactional. My DH still buys for his siblings and it's "I'll tell you what to buy me and you tell me what to buy you". It completely defeats the point of it to me, but when I suggested to DH that they stop, I was called a "kill-joy"! What "joy" I'm "killing" is beyond me!

I'm in my 40s by the way!

I don't really do Christmas shopping as such these days. I plan really early got some of DDs in the January sales & pick up bits throughout the year if I see something I know someone will like & there's a good offer on.

Currently I'm finished for DGS, DStepM, & both DDs.

I know what I still need, have budgeted for that and hoping for a decent Black Friday deal for DM's gift so will be done by end of November.

I'll have a day out with DDs at the start of December where we'll have brunch, cocktails & a wander round the shops & Christmas market but I won't need to buy anything.

I'm 44 by the way

absolutley love it always go overboard!!! 24?

I love the idea of it but by the time I've been to two shops , got a couple of bags of shopping , having to keep my purse safe . Trying to manage my wat round busy aisles and bend to see things on the lower shelves . Finding half the thngs I want not in stock.
Take my bags back to the car to drop them off and get other drivers after my parking space .
And that's without having something to eat or drink or find a toilet .

So now :
Buy online for delivery or colllect in store .
Go shopping one evening with DD (not weekend) to Bluewater .
DH and I book a Friday off at the end of November to go to London. I buy him lunch he carries the bags

Supermarket food shop usually an evening with my Nectar Points and my list .

Love it

57yo

I love it! I buy throughout the year and watch those gift guide YouTube videos and stuff. I sometimes like to put on Xmas music while browsing online hehe.

In my 30s

I do the same as@CyberCritical .
I make a list throughout the year and then have a day in November when I buy the lot online.

I also do small food based stockings, and get most of those bits from Lidl a bit closer to Xmas.

I'm then very disorganised about wrapping and end up staying up late on Xmas Eve to get it all done!! 🙄😯

I'm 50

I don't start until September and do most online which like others mean when I do go to the high street it's to meet friends and browse without the pressure of having to buy something , anything , we then go for a meal and cocktails , lovely .

I understand that it’s only the end of September and it’s definitely too early to buy gifts. But what’s definitely not too early, in my opinion, is to compare prices for the same gifts in different places. I can advise you https://priceva.com/ because I’ve been using it for a long time and it really helps not to overpay. Especially considering how much prices rise on holidays.

Love it. I buy from about August onwards though and then just do bits in December. I love the planning and fun. Christmas PJ's, stocking fillers, "main presents" etc. I'm 37.

I don't enjoy it at all. I'm 36.

I keep a list that I add to all year, get it done in October so I don't have to worry about it in Nov/Dec. I don't enjoy any type of shopping though, I also hate the (self imposed) pressure of getting Christmas perfect for each of my children and the family. I do actually love the Christmas period and the festivities, just not the shopping.

I get sudden needs to do something crafty. I think it's because work is often stressful and I need to have quick win projects I can do in my personal life that allow me to start and finish something to achieve a goal. So a couple of times a year I sit down with a stack of fabric rectangles and sew up tote bags that I use as present wrapping. I have a box full of them in different patterns and sizes. Makes gift wrapping really easy, just pick a bag that's the right size and matches the recipient then put the present inside. Plus they can use it over and over.

Love it! I’m 48

I can’t stand crowds and have health issues which affect me, so I like to spread the shop throughout the year. I did a day of running round hunting for things yesterday, ticked a few off my list, but I’m still in bed today dealing with the pain caused by it.

I get everything I need done early so I can enjoy browsing at my own pace in the final weeks. I never go shopping at weekends, only every during school hours usually straight after school drop off when there are less crowds.

I know it’s still early, but loved all the Christmas stuff that’s out all ready.

I’m not sure it’s my age that’s a factor in this as much as everyone else’s.

When my dc were small, every time we left a toy or book store I’d take photos of things they liked so I always had lots of ideas and could give suggestions to relatives.

Now they’re teens and they want video games, consoles, VR headsets and other kit, designer clothes and shoes and money. And all the grannies and aunties still expect me to come up with suggestions within they’re price ranges and refuse to consider cash.

Meanwhile they’re all in a stage of life where they have everything they need already and are either decluttering or downsizing but won’t consider something sensible like a secret Santa and think vouchers are cheating

It’s all so much harder and less joyful.