I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

Christmas Shopping! Now that I am not working I think I am going to start next month. I use to wait until I got my holiday bonus which was the week before christmas but this year I dont have that and I dont want to feel it all at once. Is anyone else doing this? Also do you find yourself giving the same gifts over and over each year because you dont know what to give? I feel that especially with my brothers I always give them cloths and they seem to like it but I hate giving it because I feel like it is the easy way out.

Re: I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

I'm totally thinking about Christmas already. I've never had a baby to shop for before, so I feel like I really won't have money this year for anyone! I opened a holiday account at my bank and have only been putting 25 bucks a week in, but I have a few hundred in there now. That might not make sense for you to start now, but it would be a good idea for next year.
I always start my shopping in October so I don't feel the drain from my bank account all at once. Plus, my sister, my mom and my aunts and I all go to Massachusetts to shop for Christmas (sounds crazy, I know). Everything is so much cheaper there! We go for the day and split the cost of gas and what not, and it actually is worth it. Not that I think you should go to MA, but hey, you never know

Re: I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

I am so thinking about Christmas already. I will be out on maternity leave with a newborn, so I would like to have most done before I have the baby. Will it happen, most likely not

Re: I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

We have been thinking about this too since I haven't been working for the last 4 months

Last year in an attempt change it up, we baked everybody homemade cookies. They were soo yummy, but in the end, it took us soo long to bake them, box them, and when we did the math, it cost us soo much money!

Our siblings lovveee gift cards, so it makes out lives easier. Our parents are the hardest to buy for. We stopped a long time ago trying to find the perfect gift, it's wayyy to stressful!

How about getting lists from them? We exchange lists around Thanksgiving time so everyone knows what each other wants, so it's not like taking the easy way out, but you are getting them a gift they really want.

Re: I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

Where in MA do you go shopping? I also kept telling DH that we should open a holiday account and he keeps telling me nah, nah we dont need to but he complains every year! I should just go and open it and put the money in myself.

Re: I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

I wasn't thinking about it until you just said it....and it's a great idea. Not working now either so getting a head start so I don't spend a lot all at once is a really good idea. THANKS!

As far as the gifts...I like getting clothes, everyone needs them. And if you think maybe they would want something else, just put the gift receipt in with it or a gift card instead. I think most men like getting clothes so they don't have to go out and get them themselves!!

Re: I know it is is August but I have been thinking about this..

Just go and open it. JT said the same thing, but guess what, when the time rolls around for us to buy presents and I already have the money, he won't be complaining!
We go to southern Massachusetts. I lived there for a while and know all the good places to shop. Actually, MA had the best shopping out of anywhere. No sales tax on clothes and everything is just cheaper in general. Last year we stayed on Cape Cod to shop, but that defeats the purpose because it's so expensive there. We usually stay in Bridgewater, where I used to live.