Buying stuff just because ...

[AndThereSheGoes]

Right, every year I tell myself I am not going to buy anything except essential, well chosen gifts. I will not waste money. I will buy thoughtfully.

Yet here I am in October with multiple barginous but generic gift sets, 3 for 2 stationary sets and half price multiple candles/diffusers no one really wants FFS.
Yes I have lots of friends, family and coworkers who I'd like to show some Christmas spirit. But there is soooo much stuff out there and I'm a complete sucker.

I know that if I only buy in December there will be sales, lovely things in the shops and I'll get in all bought in 2 weeks. But can I resist " getting a bargain" now and buying for Christmas 3 months too early... nope.

When I worked retail, I used to tell customers "it's only a bargain if you're going to use it"; you've said above that you're buying things that nobody really wants. If you were buying the same items for yourself, it would just be clutter in your home. As it is, think of it as the 'outsourcing of clutter' - you're deflecting the results of your impulse purchases on to others to deal with.

It's a mindset I adopted which helps me resist the lure of buying too much/too early. That, and seeing that the only real bargains are to be found in January, ime!

I used to do this.

But the last couple years have been scaling back and doing the same again this year. Haven’t found the sweet spot of the amount/type of gifts for the DC yet.

Part of the reason is I have declutterred our house and it takes much less time to tidy/clean. Also nearly everything has a place and that helps my mind feel clear.

I try and just buy 1 gift per person for other family now. They don’t really want anything anyway and so just choose 1 thoughtful gift.

I used to do this.
But the last couple years have been scaling back and doing the same again this year. Haven’t found the sweet spot of the amount/type of gifts for the DC yet.

This

Ive gotten better over the last couple of years. Even throughout the year I still buy things but they are allocated straight away and I now keep lists.

I used to have bags full of gifts for an emergency but I’ve cut this down too, now if I can’t immediately place it as someone’s gift, even kids friends birthdays a couple of months down the line, I grudgingly put it back.

It’s really hard not to scratch that itch, but it dose get easier.

As it is, think of it as the 'outsourcing of clutter' - you're deflecting the results of your impulse purchases on to others to deal with.

I absolutely do do this, hence I end up with lots of stuff myself as I invariably end up seeing something more suitable.

I'm conflicted about the bargain thread on here. I've probably bought unnecessarily and saved in equal amounts. It's the presents for people I don't really know. Partners of people who are spending Christmas with us, cousins who are doing there yearly visit, the helpful person at work etc.

one of the things I do now is go through a thought process

who has a birthday coming up?
will this be enough or would I have to add to it?
is there a chance I will find something better?
Can I justify buying it this month if their birthday isn’t imminent?
My last one is would I be happy spending the cost of the item on a donation as inevitability that’s what is going to happen. A couple of years ago I donated everything I had stashed away as gifts to a food bank. Now I donate any extra gifts I end up with to a local food bank that helps out with presents each Christmas too.

So if I give in to my urges I can at least feel good that if I don’t gift to someone I know someone else will get to enjoy it, and im clutter free to restart in January 😝

Why are you even seeing this stuff to be tempted? It sounds like shopping is a hobby. Could you fill your time another way and only shop when you have a purpose? Works very well for me.

I think I'm the complete opposite, in that I resent spending money on crap for people who expect a gift, but don't need one. I proposed no adult gifts last year at Christmas but no one wanted to do that. Apparently my very well off SIL still needs a scented candle despite earning 3 times what I do.
Clutter stresses me out no end and I get quite angry at people who buy me things I don't really need or want. I really really don't want gifts from anyone other than immediate family. And even then, flowers, nice useful consumables etc is perfect.