Thread: Prepping for next Christmas

Several years ago I made a decision that changed how I handle the holidays. I started shopping for Christmas during the year, instead of waiting for the 5 week rush right before hand. Each year, I've started shopping earlier until this year, when I am shopping the weekend after.

I also started keeping an excel file last year that detailed what gifts I have and who they were for. This way, I'll have a way to check what I gave each person so that I don't give a duplicate item. (My memory has gone down the tubes)

My gifts went over well. I gave (almost) each family a large Yankee Candle, shade and plate. I gave the younger families a Scentstories Player and disk. I gave them everyday designs. Next year I plan on giving them holiday shades and plates.

Which takes me to Christmas shopping for next year now. I set aside all of the accessories that I'll need for next year (There are major benefits to working at a store, such as holding items and getting first dibs) I received a 50.00 dollar gift card from the company for working an extra shift on Black Friday. I am trying to stretch it as far as it will go by waiting for the final markdowns and using coupons. I have 150.00 worth of sale product on hold. I will get 60.00 off from coupons. (10.00 off 25.00 dollar purchase) Then the 50.00 dollar gift card, which makes my out of pocket expense 40.00. (This is at the current sale price. I'm not sure what the final markdowns will be or if it will effect what I'm getting. Also, about 20.00 dollars worth of items is for me, which will have an effect on the final per gift cost) Currently, with 8 families, my cost per family is 5.00 each. Well worth the price of storing the gifts all year.

I've done this type of shopping before. The last company that I worked for had a 90% off sale during the summer. I stocked up for 50.00 dollars and didn't have to worry about gifts that year.

Is anyone else as weird about this as I am? I'll hit up the summer sales, but will focus more on men's gifts. I really try not to shop at all during the traditional Christmas season, with the exception of our son's Santa gift. My fiance thinks that I'm crazy, but I think that the people who are out on Christmas Eve are crazier. Not thinking about gifts is one way that I can reduce my stress in 11 months. I just didn't know if anyone else started this early for Christmas.

Shannon

I'm in the same boat as McNerd with family not getting together for the holidays anymore, thus reducing gift exchanging. Probably good since we're retired now and not as financially able. We still buy gift cards (at their request) for out of state kids and grandkids so it's hard to shop for bargains there. I only have 5 people to buy for here so I don't shop ahead for them. I do however shop all year when I see bargains and keep a gift drawer for gifts I just want to surprise people with or when the need arises for a gift