Anyone else find Christmas shopping very stressful?

[Keepingitsimple101]

Every year I say I’m not going to let it become stressful, but it always is anyway.

We start early and wrap as we go, but it still feels so overwhelming.

We have two dc, one is easy to buy for, other one not so much but we tend to get theirs all done early.

I buy presents for my mum, dad, sister, niece, nephew, plus a few boxes of biscuits for friends, sports coaches.

Dh sorts his side of the family. His family are quite easy as they send links to the what they want. My family never give any ideas so I end up having to choose. Also slightly complicated dynamics.

We eliminated a lot of present buying by cutting the budget right down and only buying for children and adults with no young children.

We’ve done most of it online/locally with only one trip to the big shops, but quite a few local trips and loads of click and collect.

Then there’s all the returns when things don’t fit or aren’t as expected. It’s hard not to be tempted to pick up tat or to buy ‘just one more thing’.

How’s everyone else feeling about it all?

I loathe and detest Christmas shopping. I hate spending money on stuff. The world is full of stuff. We are drowning in stuff. I have shrunk our spending down to immediate family and we do a secret Santa so we only have to buy one item, from their selected list at about 15 quid. Plus two grandchildren, who are happy with a book. I don't mind buying them books, especially ones that I will enjoy reading to them. My friends and I generally don't buy each other gifts. I'd be happier doing Christmas shopping is if we limited our shopping to charity shops, but others in the family might baulk at that. So yes, you are not alone.

I buy for as few people as possible. Work to a budget and stick to it (helps stops the one more thing). Keep a list of ideas, add throughout the year and ask for ideas from the recipient if you are struggling. Tick off on the list whilst waiting for delivery/collection, and when you have the items so you can clearly see what is what. If you are buying things from one store try and order them at the same time to avoid multiple click and collects or deliveries. I find it easier to buy as much as possible in one go the closer we get to Christmas rather than order/buy in dribs and drabs (but that may not be affordable for some), although others may find it easier to buy bits at a time, which is what I do when I first start.

I like to buy things as early as possible, but you need to be cautious about any return windows if you do that. I aim to get at least the bulk of the shopping finished and wrapped by the end of November so I can then kick back and enjoy December.

I also try to get other things lined up, say food shopping list, online delivery all ready to go, which frees up time and headspace if you still have outstanding shopping to do.

i used to find it hard work, but being more organised, keeping a list (and keeping it up to date) and starting early made life easier for me.

No because I don't run myself ragged trying to buy presents for Adults. That stopped years ago, as I could not really be asked, when I used to buy for them. No stress, no running around spending money on stuff, while battling through throngs of people. It suits me!

It's the wrapping up I can't stand - takes ages!

I tend to buy edible gifts online - edible, because I think people prefer something that gets used up and doesn’t require space in the house, and online because they will pack and dispatch the presents, with a nice card.

Sometimes people get biscuits or jam from Fortnum and Mason, and this year, most people are getting a selection of macarons.

Loath it.

So I start shopping in August and aim to finish by end of November. This gives me December to wrap and relax.

This takes so much pain out of it. The shops are not horrendous and I can take my time. And it spreads the cost.

I'm behind this year but not worried as I know what I've got to get.