Where are you on Christmas shopping?

[greatauntoftriplets]

I have done a little, but have many family birthdays to celebrate from the end of October until mid-November. I am reminding of this because a friend recently asked me if I was finished -- she is, works two jobs and is the mother of 6 and grandmother of 2.

Where are you in the process?

[Lady Freedom]

1. Take a wild guess on my vote!

Bah Humbug I say!

[supernova]

2. Haven't started yet

I haven't even thought about how much I can afford to spend this year. It will be small, though. I'm unemployed and I've spend lots of $$ on new plumbing for the house this year. It's used up a lot of my financial cushion.

[bleedingheart]

3. Since my family has forsaken gift giving on both sides

my shopping has been greatly reduced..

I have about half of my kids stuff bought and I really don't go overboard on that either...

My husband bought me two beautiful trees this fall that I planted...they are my gift from him.... and I love em... the gift of nature!

[trof]

4. Score: me-0

shopping-<infinity>

[demsrule4life]

5. I'am a retailers nightmare

I quit doing Christmas long ago.

[Mikimouse]

6. For me, Christmas is not about shopping at all

It is about trying, just once a year if not all year, to take care of those who are now where I have been in the past. Sorry, the 5 bucks that would buy some totally meaningless 'gift' is better spent donating to the old guy that dumpster dives in the alley behind my apartment complex. For me, that's what the holiday is all about. Call me idealistic, but I will not support a system that is antithetical to my basic beliefs.

Edit: fingers going faster than my only functioning brain cell can handle.

[maxanne]

7. Where am I?

So far I am in Christmas denial. I stay here as long as I can.

[gmoney]

8. Observing "Buy Nothing Day"

As propounded (?) by the folks at Adbusters, the day after Thanksgiving is "Buy Nothing Day" -- an attempt to rise above the position of mere "consumer" and retail drone. For the past three or four years, I've done my best to observe it and buy nothing (apart from maybe groceries or dinner).

My sister and I have a "gift amnesty" -- rather than me buying some stuff and shipping it to Switzerland, and her shipping stuff here, we just exchange cards and a phone call on the day. Started out as a practical measure, but it removes a lot of anxiety from the season and it will probably continue if she moves back to the states. If I see something that would be perfect for her, I'll just get it and send it to her, regardless of the time of year.

Working on a similar situation with my father and step-mother. I think she'll be the hardest one to sell on the concept.

[demnan]

9. I did most of my purchases in November

but that is because I did some shifting on my credit card debt and so I had the money at that time. Now that I've got it done I can just relax and enjoy some Christmas baking and all.

I need to wrap stuff this weekend because its sitting around in boxes in my small apartment annoying me. Once wrapped I can put it in the car.

[Faygo Kid]

10. Unemployed

For 30 years, I was a real Santa to family and friends. Then lost my job (no fault of my own), and been unemployed for two years, under George W. Bush's magnanimous policies. No Christmas this year.