When do you start shopping

[Jodie]

I have what I refer to as my Christmas cupboard here at home and I tend to buy gifts through the year and usually by Christmas I have done the shopping.

As for the food side of it, from around September, if there is anything on a really good special I will buy two of it and put one away in the Christmas cupboard. That way by Christmas time, I usually have at least a few weeks shopping in the cupboard.

I wait until all the dried fruit, flour and other Christmas cake and pudding ingredients are on special and I buy enough to make about eight cakes and puddings, then I just make one of each, every weekend from about ten to twelve weeks before Christmas - it gives me time to get them posted away to family and friends.

[Merry Sage]

Kevan's birthday (my hubby) is in late September. His mum and sister's birthdays are both in December, my two kids birthdays are in October. Three guesses, first two don't count, as to when I start gift shopping!

Anytime after school starts in September! I like to get some staples in for Christmas eats, late November-ish.

[Noel+]

At the California house I always had a old chest full of gifts for all year! Now, I do not have as much extra room or as many gifts. And it is one of the most joyful things to do - save up gifts to surprise others! This summer, as I clean, I hope to make more room for storage! And then shop!!!!!!!!!

[Mrs.Claus]

I usually start shopping in December. Except last year we did some shopping in November and it seemed to work out okay - we might give it a go this year. Although we did tend to buy more. We'll see what happens.

[Noel+]

I bought my first Christmas gift for the new shelf I cleared in the hall closet! They were on QVC as their special last night! Three flameless vanilla-scented candles that run on batteries and have dual timers!

[Jodie]

I picked up a lovely beach towel that is in pinks, purples, blues and white with a great white fringe on each end for my niece - she wanted on last year but we could not find one anywhere. I am sure she will love it anyway.

[Noel+]

Merry Sage had suggested aromatherapy granules for a stronger fragrance, and I found some at a candle shop today. I bought some as gifts with coordinating candles! Perfect workplace gifts!

[Jodie]

That is a nice idea for a workplace gift.

I buy my sisters candles all the time, they love them - so do I have heaps of them all over the house.

[Noel+]

Oh, yes, I do all year long! Candles, diffusers, melters, and pot pouri in beautiful containers! They're fabulous gifts!

[Jodie]

And they always smell so good.

I have little sachets of pot pourri in the linen cupboard too - it makes the linen smell so good.

[Noel+]

I agree, Jodie, scent is important! I have a reed diffuser at my small desk at work too! At Christmas I want to smell all those delicious aromas!!!!!!!!!

[Stephanie]

The time that I start shopping varies from year to year. Sometimes I start in the summer and sometimes I wait until November. I don't have a set time that shop. I always get it done though.

[Keepsake]

I always start my shopping the day after Thanksgiving. It's a traditon with me.

[Snowbelle27]

I always start my shopping in the after Christmas sales. I usually pick up some really nice gifts for teachers and classroom assistants and I also buy a couple of things for my gift closet. I have my list made out ready and also sometines pick up bits and pieces for birthdays. I usually do quite well and then continue to shop throughout the year escpecially when sales are on

[suzysnowflake]

I just started my Christmas shopping two weeks ago when the mall had a sidewalk sale. I got some really nice pj's and sleepers for my grandson. I want to get the kids a Nintendo Wii for Christmas this year and I will be buying it soon since last year they were next to impossible to get before Christmas.

[Noel+]

What a great Christmas find, Suzysnowflake!

[XmasDVD]

We shop usually around Thanksgiving time - sometime between Nove 1st and Thanksiving and we get it all done. Then we can enjoy Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend. Plus we decorate for Christmas that weekend!

[Winterself]

well i start usually mid july.for things on sale...so far ive had some things ive picked up thru the year..i have a csbinet dresser...so its already full...i baught crayons for the shoe box african kids this year...

[XmasDVD]

I see ideas for gifts throughout the year, but because we do the 'secret santa' I don't know whose name I'll get until Thanksgiving time so it's hard to preshop for that.

Mrs. XmasDVD and I do shop before Christmas for each other though...