Hey Moms...When do you start Christmas shopping?

Question

I am a single mom and my mother told me I was crazy because last weekend I started my Christmas shopping for my 3 year old. I just want to be sure I can financially afford to give her a decent Christmas, and I can't do it if I wait till the last minute, and I absolutely hate long lines and big crowds. What do you think?

Answer 1

I normally start in July you can catch a few good deals with christmas in july sales and i just pick things up until christmas that i think my daughter would like.

Answer 2

I start in august for the fact its just easier and I can breathe a sigh of relieve while others are scrambling to find presents and standing in line.

Answer 3

I think that's a great idea!  Just don't be like me and give it to her this week because you can't wait, haha.  Store the gifts in the attic and wrap them in December.  No stress and no big bills.

Answer 4

Yep, I've started now.  If I see something in a catalog or a great online sale going on I'll get it.  I do it little by little, that way I'm not spending all my money all at once and it's not like whoa, my total is WHAT?

Answer 5

you are doing the right thing I'm happy for you.I can't afford to do it now and I plan for it every year and still wait in long line such as waiting outside for a Wii.Your doing the right  thing.

Answer 6

If you can afford it.Right now is the best time.Not only is it not as hectic but also cheaper with all the summer sales going on!!!!!

Answer 7

I'm not a mother yet but I do the same thing as you. I start shopping early or at least saving early so I can afford nice gifts for my family and friends. I hate long lines and crowds as well so the sooner I can get it all over with....the better. I think we're the smarter ones here =)

Answer 8

I start as early as the day after Christmas.  lol  Things get marked down fairly cheap and I snatch them up.  I put them away for birthdays and Christmas.  I also do a lot of shopping during the summer.  Most stores are clearing out their inventory to bring in all the hot new stuff, so I buy things on clearance.  I also love shopping after any of the holidays.  You can find cute, cheap stuff to give as rewards for going potty (or whatever) or as just a fun treat on a rainy day.  After school starts, I buy markers and crayons that they mark down and save them as stocking stuffers.  It works perfectly.  You just have to remember what you've bought and where you hid it.

I'm with you though.  I HATE long lines and crowds.  I hate how pushy and impatient a lot of shoppers are.  I've literally had things snatched out of my cart and yanked out of my hands while I was shopping.  It doesn't make me feel very "Christmasy", so I just skip it all together.  If your mother thinks we are crazy for shopping early, then I guess we are.  At least we're happy crazy people!

Answer 9

I am broke, my fiance has been out of work for 9 months of out 10 month old daughters life and so yes I started last month shopping for christmas and her birthday in october.  from October thru Jan I get slammed!  5 birthdays, an anniversary and christmas and thats only immediate family (mom/dad/siblings)

Answer 10

I START IN OCTOBER CUZ STUFF BE LITTLE CHEAPER CUZ I GOT TWO KIDS I NEED SAVINGS BAD  

Answer 11

I don't think you're crazy at all.... Sale = Stock up for Christmas!!

I already have Christmas shopping for my nieces and nephews finished. Our local Toys R Us is moving, so everything had to go.

Answer 12

im not a mom but i whould say around Septemer/October

Answer 13

This is summer ! I usually start the Christmas shopping around November and December or when the Christmas music starts playing on the radio. Look for signs like decorations and Christmas music to know its time. When those signs are seen, prices will come down a bit and more advertisement. Everybody hates the lines I suggest going around early November.

Good luck and have a great Christmas

Answer 14

My dad ( i have no mother) gos thru the whole year

Answer 15

I start on Dec. 23

My mom starts 2 weeks before Christmas

And my Grandmother starts in January.

There is a wide renge of normal

Answer 16

I agree!! i was a single mom for 11 years. and i'll tell ya, the earlier the better. you can't provide with two incomes so as i would get some money, i'd buy him Xmas presents. he was never spoiled at Xmas but he always got things he wanted/needed. Towards Xmas time, I would have him make a list to Santa so then i'd be able to get some last minute things. So i think what you're doing, is fine.  

Answer 17

i know i am not an adult or mom yet but i do know when my mom starts Christmas shopping. She usaully starts when November is half over. I hope i helped!!

Answer 18

Last year I started Black Friday and finish up Christmas Eve......HORRIBLE I know!!! Last year was hectic for us. I had my baby Monday after Thanksgiving (wasn't due until 1/20/08) so shopping got pushed way back. I finished the X-mas shopping before we got to pick up our son from the NICU & take him home. Talk about a GREAT Christmas present!! He was in there for 4 weeks. Anyways--this year money is tight so I'm thinking about doing lay-a-way here shortly. That way I have enough time to pay for it & don't have to pay it all at once.

I do LOVE Black Friday shopping though. I hate the lines but some of the deals are to die for.

Answer 19

Me and my husband start in october, and sometimes we still buy stuff in december but thats only because we want our kids to be happy, i think it's a good idea because you child is still little and cant pick out presents him/her self yet so it is always good to be prepared, but you cant do it forever, trust me.

Answer 20

I wish I would consider starting early I always wait until november and start every year I say I'm going to start early but I never do LOL. I think it's fine that you start now that way you can get it done and just relax when everyone else is rushing around to find gifts.

Answer 21

My mom has already started christmas shopping too for my kids.  I will be starting soon, so your definitely not crazy.  Who likes the christmas rush at the nearest toys r us?  I sure dont!!  

Answer 22

i start x mas shopping on boxing day..... cheap deals and if you go once or twice a month you will save in the long run as prices for things suck as brats and kids toys go up at christmas... if you slowly buyt things all year round... you ppocket book wont be so tightwhen the new years starts

Answer 23

I start the day after Christmas... or at least through the month of January.  Bath and Body Works and Yankee Candle have huge sales that give you everything half off and their stuff will last up to 3 years anyway.  

Also I just bought a bunch of jars to make Cookies in a Jar for gifts at Christmas.  They go on clearance this time of year.

Answer 24

OMG, Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy did you have to make me think about this????

Hahahaha :)

You aren't too early.  Good for you!

Answer 25

I'm lazy... October

Answer 26

I think that is a great idea!  

Personally I start after school starts, so I am not spreading myself too thin, but it makes it easier on everyone if you start earlier than later!  Who wants to be that stressed around such a great time of year!

Have a great day!  

Answer 27

i totally know what you mean. my son is two and ive already got him three christmas toys...but for my younger teen sister who lives with me im not getting anything till christmas week or whatever..style changes and teens like it very updated..like whatever just came out, she wants it. it cant be 'old' if you know what i mean..but as for the vacation destination, ticket buying and the other big stuff, im doing that now. if youre out of time to shop, cash is great for the big kids..hope i helped.

Answer 28

It's not too early--I have 3 children and I always start early--I want them to have a good Christmas & it's too hard financially to do it last minute--so I can totally relate!! your fine!~~

Answer 29

smart thinking! when i have kids im totally going for the early stuff!!! but make sure its not stuff that will go out of style by x-mas

Answer 30

I'm not a mum, but my mum starts at the end of november.

Answer 31

When we were little I remember my mom buying things in the middle of summer.  Even now she has a few things for my daughter already.  I think that its great that your starting now, that way your not waiting until the last min, wondering how your going to come up with all the extra money.  I plan on picking up a few things here and there starting the end of this month.