[Ro]

I am mostly aa Amazon shopper. I started that back in my Novell dais. I love that most of the stuff comes from small businesses ( did you know that? They use Amazon's warehouse system for convenience.). And I love, live my Prime membership! I think it saves me money because I never just browse about getting random things. When I go there, I'm a woman on a mission and get what I need and get out.

This year I'm going to make the kids presentation scrapbooks that have the home movies from when the were little. I am also going to make one for my mom that has the audio of some conversations I recorded with my grandparents on them. I'm really excited about them!

[Cheri T]

If I can buy locally I will, but I adore our Amazon Prime membership too. Our families traditionally ask each other what we want for gifts and since we many times cannot find things locally, it's a God-send for not dragging kids down to Des Moines (45 minutes away) to shop. If my kids are acting up at home, I don't have to be embarrassed while I'm checking out at Amazon;)

[lorac]

I've always loved the hustle and bustle of 'last minute' shopping. I usually go out the week before Christmas and finish my shopping. I usually buy a lot on-line and always check for free shipping offers.

[CRS]

I love the convinence of online shopping. My favorite store is Amazon. I also love the site to store options that a lot of places have now. I usually start my shopping in mid-October.

[B&K Mom]

Living in the middle of nowhere (happily, I might add ) we do a LOT of online shopping (another Amazon fan here). This year I had the privilege to head to the big city for a long weekend and did plenty of shopping then. That is a rarity. And I almost always do some last minute shopping as well as last minute creating. I also have a stash of things I've collected through the years. So I guess you could call me a "hybrid" shopper! lol!

[elibar]

LOL - I guess all the Black Friday shoppers aren't here to take the poll!

I'm pretty last minute - and piecemeal. I might make a few gifts if I find the time. But I'll probably go out two or three days and do some local shopping, then I'll come back home and do some online shopping to fill in the holes. I won't be shopping Christmas eve, but I won't be finished until a few days before.

[diannecp]

I love Amazon.com also. I love having packages delivered and being surprised, even though I "know" what's in them. In recent years though, we've somewhat cut back and I've been making a lot of gifts, mostly for the nieces and nephews. I do a little local shopping last minute too, mostly for DH, but avoid it as much as possible.

[April Showers]

I like to collect presents during the year, but we picked up most of the rest at Amazon this year. My husband took Thomas to the store with half price socks and came home with gifts (clothes!) that Thomas is really excited about. I got one of those boys who likes nice clothes...

[SandiC.]

I collect presents during the year, I try to support small businesses whenever I can, love amazon too, but Costco has been know to provide a lot of gifts some years. I try to make a few things as well and often give gift cards. I do not do black Friday.

[Sara Arell]

I budget during the year and buy Christmas gifts every month if I find something I think someone on my list would like - I try to have most of my shopping done by Thanksgiving and this year I already have two boxes ready to mail out of state and am working on wrapping the remainder of the gifts I've bought. I do also enjoy last minute shopping too because I get totally caught up in the Christmas spirit and the music and the happy people shopping in the local stores. I try very hard to buy locally and support our local businesses because I don't like ordering things and having them shipped from an online company to someone on my list. I like to wrap things personally and mail them myself........I guess I'm just kind of old fashioned when it comes to Christmas.

[KayMitch]

I love Christmas, so much of my shopping is done in December when there's music and Santa and people to get into the spirit. I also shop through the year when there's a good deal and I know what I want for someone in particular. We have cut back on all the extended family in recent years. Our immediate family has become quite large now. I am interested in the new presentations though. They would make amazing gifts if only I can find the time to work out how to do them. Kay

[tiza126]

I do lots of online shopping as well. It's easy and convenient. Sometimes I'll pick things up at a REAL store.

[mimes1]

I do a little of all - I do some collecting year round, (and then I hid it and forget where the secret hiding spot is! LOL!), I do some online to strictly avoid the stores, and there is the invariable last minute dash to the store in the last few days of Christmas. This year my work did a payroll deduction for certain electronic gifts, which I took advantage of for both my kids. And this year it will be a baking Christmas for far away family and friends.

[angleigh]

the last few years Santa has brought the boys 1 big present a piece instead of a bunch of "stuff" they will never use. So we are big internet shoppers. Last year I was done in October..this year I was finished this morning before they were even up. Had to wait for Apple's online sale to start...they both want IPads, to save a little $

But after that my mom and I head out for her to do her shopping. We never go out "early" with all those other 4am shoppers..we didn't leave until 8 this morning. And we never have anything we "must" have. We just go and shop and pick up what we see she wants.

[jenrou]

Since my "kids" are all adult, and the grandkids just want gift cards or money, my shopping is limited. Shipping food gifts, or that type of thing lasted a few years. This year I'm making things, photo cds, etc. for my big kids.
I like online shopping, since I have very little luck in stores. I do like Costco.
We all live in different states, so shipping is an important factor. But I do like to go to local stores Christmas week to look and buy a few things, just for the fun.
Jean

[brandy lynn]

Although I would prefer not to be, I tend to be a last minute shopper. I do shop all over though. Some amazon, ebay, online stuff...very little black friday and then local stores too. The most important thing for me is finding the best price on what I want!

[Sara Arell]

This year, I had my list done - I got so much done ahead of time - and now, I'm sitting here looking at all the things in front of me I have to wrap and amazed at all of the things I still have to buy! I really thought I was waaaaaay ahead of the game this year!

.....plus, my 11 year old granddaughter just could not decide for certain what she wanted for Christmas this year! Ack! I hope I've got it right!

Feeling the pressure here! Anyone else?

[Sara Arell]

...........AND, I am NOT enjoying the crowded last minute shopping that I said I usually do - the traffic is terrible!

Am I turning into Scrooge?

[scrappinchar]

This year and last year have been online shopping years for me. I just don't feel like driving to other towns with Nathan for the malls or toystore. Some (previous) years, I start earlier in the year. I waited a lot later this year to start. Funds have been (are) limited. That could be one reason.

I never do black Friday. I hate crowds and long lines.

[Jenna]

I kind of do all of the above but generally do the bulk of the shopping in the early part of December. When we get a bit more storage built into the house I want to do more of the shopping through the year to take advantage of the various sales. I am also an ebayer more than Amazon. In fact, Bryan has forbidden me to buy for him this year because money is tight. I found a great deal on a Cowboys jersey this morning & am hoping against hope I don't get outbid because he has never had one & we are both huge Dallas fans. Fingers crossed!

[Becster]

Jenna, on 15 December 2011 - 04:08 PM, said:

I kind of do all of the above but generally do the bulk of the shopping in the early part of December. When we get a bit more storage built into the house I want to do more of the shopping through the year to take advantage of the various sales. I am also an ebayer more than Amazon. In fact, Bryan has forbidden me to buy for him this year because money is tight. I found a great deal on a Cowboys jersey this morning & am hoping against hope I don't get outbid because he has never had one & we are both huge Dallas fans. Fingers crossed!

So how did it go? Is the bidding finished yet?

[Becster]

I tend to be a last minute shopper, usually because of lack of available funds. I don't know why I never thought about picking up gift cards during the year, as I saw someone else talking about on FB.

My DH, God love him, is a Christmas Eve shopper. *sigh*


Several years ago our local family (the four of us, my SIL, and MIL) began our new tradition of drawing names on Thanksgiving. There was just no need to stress ourselves and go broke trying to cover our bases with shopping for everyone. It has worked out great! Of course we still all do a gift for my MIL, it's just the way it is. Call it a perk. *g*

[gophergirl]

I do shop online to avoid crowded malls and because it's easy to ship things where they need to go. I do try to patronize some local businesses though too because I want to see them stay in business.

[Syndee]

Amazon all the way! Prime is the best

[Sara Arell]

I have only one more gift to buy! And then I'm soooooo finished!

Anyone have any good ideas for me for my 96 year old Dad who wants NOTHING for Christmas? I am out of ideas here!

Help!

[Becster]

I posted in the other thread, Sara.

[Sara Arell]

Becster, on 19 December 2011 - 09:17 AM, said:

I posted in the other thread, Sara.

I saw it, Becky - thank you!

[mbechtloff]

sometimes i buy gifts on boxing day for the next year ... other times its last minute. i usually just get something when i find it, so long as its a good deal.

[scraphappen]

I found it surprising that so many people shop amazon. I just found amazon but I don't buy everything from them. They only ship to USA and I don't usually cross the border too much in the winter. We do have a post box but I usually only go to our cabin in the spring and summer. So no point shopping when I can't bring it back!! LOL