Buy Ahead

[rebelagent]

I notice that November is when all the christmas deals start appearing. You may want to start shopping in october or just through out the year. Be sure what you buy is refundable in the instance you find jimmy got that bike on his own.

This will save you time and maybe even money.

[thepaper]

In the area I live in. The deals start around July or so. I would say the special deals for certain items go higher near November. Unless the item is released new to the general public in November - than I find it pricey at the moment. I would say things like gaming consoles. They always seem to be released a few weeks before Christmas.

[rebelagent]

Starts in july because of the labor day presidents day and other special holiday sales that you see quite often.

[HomeLights]

we'll wait for BACK FRIDAY for great deals and the fun of fighting the crowds...

[lightitup]

I shop all year. I start the day after Christmas and go right on in till Christmas. All of my presents are bought with the help of my kids for my grandkids and everyone else gets handmade stuff so there is no real returning them. For hubby I listen all year and when he wishes he has something I look for it and keep it till his birthday or Christmas. With me being ill this year it really paid off because I forgot about his birthday till that day and I had alot of stuff to pick from. He was pleased with everything. I don't worry about taking things back because I can usually recycle any gift for next year or a birthday for someone else. I know I am awful but I don't like standing inline for returning anything. I bought a clay kit for my daughter last year for Christmas only to find out she had it and I just gave her money and saved the kit for a friend this year. Now it is going to my oldest daughter cause she has been over making ornaments with me and really does like the clay but she is a tight wad and won't spend the money on the stuff so she will get an extra gift this year. :)

[Ervserver]

I don't purchase Christmas gifts more than 4-6 weeks before the day unless I find something really unique and it's something that if I can't return it's no big deal.

:-)

[number4son]

I don't start until after Thanksgiving, generally. I'm just not that organized. If the wife mentions something in particular during the year, I can leave myself a note on the Outlook calendar for sometime in early December and then go buy it.

[xmaslilly]

Normally I shop the week of (yikes) but i'm tired of that.
I am going to try and pick things up here and there from now on, especially good deals on the net here.
I can usually get free shipping and if not that at some % off so I check out which is cheaper.
heres some sites for % off or free shipping or good deals, just put in store you looking for on most.
www.bargainbuddy.com
www.couponhut.com
www.monkeybargains.com

[Christy Carol]

I am a very late shopper. Normally the weekend before Christmas and even right up to the big day itself if need be. No reason for it, not looking for a good deal...I guess I just dont like the crowds.

[Ervserver]

I don't like crowds either but around Christmas I'm more tolerant, even like the festive feel of everyone shopping, smacking eachother over Elmos, etc.

[Christy Carol]

Same here...and people seem to get nicer the closer to Christmas it gets.

[Ervserver]

Around here about mid February people reach the peak " cranky" level

[number4son]

Is that a snow-related phenomenon? This year they may stay happy a bit longer since the snow seems to bypass you alot.

[lightitup]

I think Christmas all year and when I am in the store I treat people with respect even if they did run into my foot with the cart. I will turn and say and you have a better day. hehehehe

[Christy Carol]

I try to be nice all year long too but sometimes I will run into someone (or should I say they run into me) and feel like they deserve a punch in the nose! Why is it ok to be ugly to a stranger now days? What happened to common courtesy??

[Ervserver]

common courtesy has morphed into uncommon courtesy. I don't even notice discourtesy anymore, it's the person that is courteous that I take notice of and thank

[number4son]

Being courteous is like seasoning your meal; it just makes everything better.

[Ervserver]

On average I buy about 12 Christmas presents, I'm considering making it a goal to buy one Christmas present a month, therefor I'll have my shopping done by Christmas. I'm already behind a month so I may have to buy 2 in February

[number4son]

Or three in March. Or six in June...

[Christy Carol]

thats my way of thinking 4.

[lightitup]

common courtesy went out the window with common sense. :lol:

[number4son]

On average I buy about 12 Christmas presents, I'm considering making it a goal to buy one Christmas present a month, therefor I'll have my shopping done by Christmas. I'm already behind a month so I may have to buy 2 in February

Just curious, erv, how's this plan coming along?

[Ervserver]

Off to a bad start, on to plan b.

[Christy Carol]

which is...?

[number4son]

Plan B is to pretend you never had a plan A.

[Christy Carol]

Good plan

[number4son]

I use Plan B all the time. "I never said I was going to wash the car." "What resolution to eat right and lose weight and recognize your mother as a fellow human being?"

[e_xander]

I use Plan B all the time. "I never said I was going to wash the car." "What resolution to eat right and lose weight and recognize your mother as a fellow human being?"

"I never said I was going to take ALL the decorations down!" :)

Sean

[Ervserver]

which is...?

do what I did last year, start shopping BLACK FRIDAY

:roll:

[Christy Carol]

or just a few days before like I did.

[Ervserver]

I may shop as soon as they mark down the sweaters to get out the spring stuff

[Christy Carol]

I didnt think about that! Right now is the time for all the winter sales and what better time to buy?

[Ervserver]

Dollar store here we come ! :)

[lightitup]

I haven't been doing much shopping for clothing. I guess we should buy winter clothes for next year now. Hmmm How much weight will I loose this summer. :lol:

[Ervserver]

I tend to only buy far ahead if there is one heck of sale I can't resist.

[lightitup]

I only buy far ahead if I see something I like. Which happens every day just about. :)

[Ervserver]

Often I don't buy something until I see it and realize I need it :?

[number4son]

I try not to go to the store until I need something. It prevents me from impulse buying. Well, my bills actually prevent me from impulse buying.

[lightitup]

If it wasn't for impulse buying we would never eat. I go shopping for decorations and see the food section and say I guess I should get some food.

[luvinh]

reading this i think oh i must be awful i make every gift if possible for exception of hubby he always needs tools,i recycle heaps into unique gifts,never liked buying from shops seems so repetitive and expensive if i do get given a gift that i do not like i will recycle it as a gift for soemone else.i think it must be my upbringing we always got handmade for gifts my kids love it and as well future dil and sil,especially grandie sometimes family appreciate it if not tough luck.

[lightitup]

I make all my sisters and brothers Christmas decorations for Christmas but my kids get both handmade and store bought. Whatever tickles my fancy I get. My grandkids get one hallmark ornament and one handmade ornament especially made for them. Recycling gifts is a good idea. I have some stuff that was bought for me that would be cute if they were painted or taken apart and made into something else. Great idea luvinh. There goes that silly cookie jar I have been hiding I will paint it. :lol:

[whitney37354]

If I was creative at all (I scrapbook but not great at it like my sister) I would make gifts instead of buying. Lots of love in gifts you make. I bought Christmas gifts for my nieces on Monday. I know what MIL wants, so I may get it soon. I love being able to cross things off my list! I try to wrap gifts on Veteran's Day when I get the day off. I wait to put the bows on later, but it's great to put up the tree and immediately have wrapped gifts to put under it!

[Ervserver]

I bought a bunch of those compact fluorescent bulbs on sale a few weeks ago, my sister wants to convert all the lights in her house.. Gonna give her a bunch for Christmas

[number4son]

If it wasn't for impulse buying we would never eat. I go shopping for decorations and see the food section and say I guess I should get some food.
Sorry I missed this the first time. Good one! :lol:

[Ervserver]

Somethings I don't buy until I see it then remember that I need it

[emski4379]

I usually start shopping sometime during the summer. As of right now, I have 1 nephew, 1 cousin, and a gift for my mom and sister.

[Ervserver]

We bought two Christmas gifts this week, never know when you'll find just the right thing.

[emski4379]

I forgot to add that we have a few little gifts for our son as well.

[Ervserver]

when I was a kid I recall going with mom to Montgomery Wards and picking up layaways, she would order Christmas presents early in the fall and make payments on them until she picked them up.