I can't be the only one who is getting a jump start to the holiday season!

I have been shopping for a little over a month now.

Of course, my son's birthday is in December too, so I get to purchase more goodies.

I would say that I am about halfway done with all of my shopping - possibly more.

Hot toy list (in case you have not seen it yet) :
Hot Toys of 2009 - Find The Best Top Toys for Christmas 2009 In Stock

So.... how's the shopping going?? Anyone done, or close to it yet? Anyone cringing at the thought of beginning the holiday shopping? Anyone loving it??

I am relieved because everything that I think will be harder to find is either pre-ordered or on it's way here (including the DSi from "Santa").

The only thing I am bummed out about is all the "good" video games at the Toys RUS sale online (buy 2 get 1 free) were out of stock for the entire week of the sale (but I bet if I looked online right now they would be in stock - after all, the sale is over..... ).

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"

I shop all year for Christmas, so I am almost finished.

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I don't have little kids anymore (18 and 25) so I'm not really in search of anything special. I have some things for my 18 yr old. My 25 yr old and his wife would probably like money or gift cards! I'll ask 'em closer to Christmas if there's anything special they need. I did buy a Faith and Friends doll for my goddaughter. I'll just give my mom money. I have some things for my sister and her hubby and I have one brother to buy for but he's easy. So basically I'm done unless my kids come up with some specifics. Otherwise it's money and/or gift cards. Giftwise it will probably be the most boring Christmas in years!

No Christmas shopping here. Hope to cut back this year; nobody really needs anything.

Christmas seasonal items are being displayed wayyyy toooo early, imo. Wonder if Valentines will be out next week?

cj/

ETA - 1boymom, I hope that you're not doing your early shopping at Walmart!

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Mine are 13 & 15 now, so we don't buy toys anymore. I don't shop early - I can't get into the Christmas spirit yet. Plus I like to give gift receipts and if anyone has any returns they can't take them back if they're bought too early.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything they have."

Nope!! Still holding strong!


It's surprisingly easy actually - for the most part.

I have purchased at Amazon.com, ebay, and Ross lately.

I love Amazon! I still pay sales tax (no big deal) but with free shipping (honestly, it is almost impossible NOT to qualify for free shipping) it is sooo wonderful!

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"

Usually by this time I would be just about finished, but I haven't even started yet...waiting for the sales

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Mary

I have started...haven't gotten very far but at least I can say I've started. And we are cutting way back on gifts, usually there are a ton under the tree for my kids, but not this year. And I think they understand it. I did buy them a Wii, and I will get them a game or two each to open, but that's about it from me. Of course they will get stocking stuffers, but that's it.

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Crap might separate them,
But they always come back together.

I haven't started my shopping yet, but will start within a few weeks. I have saved two of my paychecks from subbing to start my shopping! I haven't even cashed them yet. I know if I hold off to cash them until I actually start my shoppng, I will have a better chance of spending the cash on Christmas!

I bought a few things online,for me and my dd last night. My kids are older so it will be mostly gift cards unless I can think of something they want or need (or they tell me.) For my younger nices and nephews I buy things all year as I see them.

Dont think we'll do much of a christmas this year

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Kids don't usually know exactly what they want until beginning of December. Saves me a lot of money and returning if I just wait to start.

In years past I would be done by now BUT it gets harder and harder every year. I have a few things put away but I have Son's B-day in Oct, Hubby in Nov and daughter Dec 23rd. Not to mention she always wants to make a Halloween costume so we are still working on that. She will be 9 and it really gets harder every year. She doesn't play with ANY toys and really never has so I have to be creative. Last year we did Disneyland so I don't think I can top that this year. I have managed to put a few goodies away from all the great Kohls sales but have no idea what else I will get. I am re decorating her room for her B-day. Anybody with any great ideas for 9 year old girl let me know, LOL

I have started shopping a while ago and have a fair amount of it finished. I believe I have just about everyone but my own boys finished. DH and I have a tradition of taking a day off of work together, going shopping and doing it all in one day. We enjoy the day together and it gets us in the holiday spirit.

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

Well for me the same here no toys as my youngest will be 18, however even before that, I never ever thought of christmas till the day after thanksgiving, we as a country rush rush too much, Christmas stuff was out in target a month ago, give us a break and enjoy the holidays before like Halloween and especially Thanksgiving which to me is a wonderful holiday its all about the food and family and what we are thankful for. Again I do know people who start shopping and wrapping in August, I just cannot believe it, to me I need the cold weather and the right time, which is the day after Thanksgiving, sure it can get crazy , but that is half the fun and also I am always waiting for the better sales as we get closer and closer. Peace. Catherine

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in memory of my beloved beautiful brother Sonny who is now an angel in heaven

I save my gift cards from My Points and other survey companies so I am just about done....everybody gets a gift card from their favorite store ( of course this is all adults)

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We are cutting way back this year (per my Moms suggestion to the entire family). We're just doing a white elephant among the adults. The kids are whatever! YEAH!

I haven't gotten much yet. For oldest DS I have 2 things and my nephew is almost done. I really need to come up with a list for everyone!

I shop throughout the year for things. The big things I buy either on or after Black Friday.

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Faith + Love = Happy

I shop throughout the year, as well. This year, I have things bought for DH, DS, my in-laws, my stepson, DS' dad and stepmom, my nieces, my sister in law, two of my brothers in law, my sisters and my stepmom. I have the teacher gifts done, as well. I still have more to get, but I hate waiting until the very last minute. I've got a pretty good start....

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Kim

I never really buy gifts. I like to hand out baked goods to family and friends. It will be fairly costly to do it this way this year!!

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-Kristi

I feel the same way. I was just telling someone this morning that I almost dread the holiday anymore. You scramble around trying to find that "perfect" gift, and really we don't need A THING!!! I want to buy for others in need, to be perfectly honest.

Thanks for the post......this has spurred me to discuss this with DH tonite. It will be a tough one, as he is very much a gift giver.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I haven't started Christmas shopping at all. My kids are teens and the main thing that they like are video games and clothes. It's not as fun as it used to be when they were little and we shopped for toys...although it's much easier! ~Lisa

I agree Caddylisa as they get older, it does become so difficult to buy for older children, while we all went crazy when the kids were small and everyone wanting the same popular toy, it definitely gets harder. Me and my dh and our children will shop for sure because we all buy each other gifts and now with all of them having boyfriends and a girlfriend there will be alot of shopping, however times are rough and we really need to be careful. Peace. Catherine

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in memory of my beloved beautiful brother Sonny who is now an angel in heaven

Yeah, that's how our family feels, too. Last year, we took all the money we would normally spend on each other and spent it all on Toys for Tots

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

We're gonna do it again this year

Nope haven't started yet. M-I-L doesn't want us spending $$ on her (just like the rest of his side of the family). My mom is the only one I buy for and she's easy. Craft stuff. Hubby....GRRR Have no idea. I usually get him clothes and maybe a gift card to Radio Shack or Best Buy. Who knows with him. I think the cat will be the most spoiled since it's her first Christmas with us.

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~~just open your eyes and see that life if beautiful~~

I've got a few things. I hope I will be done by Thanksgiving for my family. First grandbaby is due Nov. 28th and of course I will have to do a little more shopping. I can't wait!!

I have not started shopping BUT I have started thinking about it and what gifts to be on the look out for for my husbands family. His sisters love Vera Bradley and the Marine Corp Exchange has them for a lot less and they are usually on an additional sale so if I see them I will pick them up for the three of them. I need to order a Michgan Snuggie for another sister-in-law and a Florida one for my mom.
Everyone else I will just wait and see what is out there this season.
I cannot wait to see what will be out there this year!!

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I started this week - bought DS1 a book that he didn't receive from his birthday list as a stocking stuff. Used a 40% off Borders reward coupon, and spend a whopping $3.

Also ordered a pair of UofIllinois cargo sweatpants for DS1 and a Baltimore Ravens tie (he wears a tie to school) for DS2 from Kohls.com.

It's on!

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I just ordered my son the new Band Hero game. I have no clue if it is for Christmas or his Birthday though. And got him a book on how to read music (he is in an ethnic music class this year - steel drums, bongo drums, Caribbean type sound) as a stocking stuffer.

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"