So, has anyone actually finished their holiday shopping?

[VelmaD]

I'm feeling so far behind. My momma called today from the mall to ask me about going in with her and my sister-in-law to get my little brother an X-Box and we got to talking about who wanted what and I realized just exactly how far behind I am. I've bought exactly 2 presents so far (and one doesn't really count since I picked it up in Mexico months ago).

Eep.

Come tell me your story. Y'all can either make me feel better by letting me know I'm not alone or you can tell us all how you finished up back in July and maybe it'll make me guilty enough that I'll go get my shopping done. :-)

[JohnKleeb]

1. Finished up a good part of it last night actually

[VelmaD]

5. What...

did you get me? :-)

[MissMillie]

2. uh oh... am I supposed to be shopping?

Yikes!

[GOPisEvil]

3. I'm 'bout 1/2 done.

I have a big party with my friends in San Antonio this weekend, or else I'd be 0% done. Nothing like impending gift exchanges to motivate.

[VelmaD]

8. You are such...

a boy. You sound just like my little brother on December 23rd. :-)

[POed_Ex_Repub]

4. Haven't even started....

Has anyone else noticed that besides Xbox/PS2/Gamecube, and maybe flatscreen TV's there aren't any really "must have" products out there? Remember Cabbage Patch Dolls, Tickle me Elmo, Poke'mon... what's the hot toy this year? IS there a hot toy this year?

[VelmaD]

6. I don't know...

my 4 year old nephew wants an oldie but goodie - a bicycle. :-)

[bleedingheart]

7. I am almost done...

just a few extras to buy and I can relax the remainder of the holiday.

[VelmaD]

9. You are a better woman...

than I. :P

[radwriter0555]

18. All I have left are the stocking stuffers. Did most of my shopping in

CHINA and the rest on AMAZON.COM!

[jpgray]

10. Haven't... even... started.

I need to be in that state of last-minute panic.

[meegbear]

11. Day after Thanksgiving ...

of course I haven't starting wrapping them ....

[VelmaD]

19. You are so brave

My original plan was to not go within 5 miles of a store on the day after Thanksgiving. Unforuntately when my momma and I pulled out the xmas tree some of the branches were broken and I ended up out shopping for a new one.

[meegbear]

22. I can handle it, but hate dealing with it ...

so I just knock it out in one swoop. And with the Nor'easter we just had, I didn't lose a weekend to shopping.

[bif]

12. Has anybody actually started their shopping?

Haven't bought a thing. Not into it this year.

[commander bunnypants]

13. Hi VelmaD

Hope your spirits are up today. I have been feeling crappy all day. Regarding shopping- I have thought about it. :grin:

DDQM

[VelmaD]

17. I'm a little better...

thanks for asking. I got an extension cord so I could actually plug my outside lights in last night. I spent a little time just looking at my lights and that helped some. :-)

[Blue-Jay]

14. Maybe I'll start this weekend....

I always wait until the last minute. It's a sickness.

[trof]

15. same here

I'm still waiting for inspiration.

[Killarney]

16. I'm about half done.

I wish I was done!

[dolo amber]

20. NO

And I hate everything.

Hope that helps! :hi:

[VelmaD]

21. I feel SO much better.

Thanks sweetie. :-)

[murphymom]

23. We've simplified over the years

I'm an only kid and my parents have both passed on. In my husband's family the adults draw names, so that's only two gifts there, plus my MIL and the 5 nieces & nephews. We've shipped off gifts for everybody but 2 of the boys.

Had a bunch of cousins that I used to send fruit to, last year I started sending them a Christmas ornament instead, cheaper postage plus profits from the ornaments I buy support programs for low-income and homeless in my area (www.auroraglass.org). My husband and I work together in our own business so it's really hard to surprise each other with gifts - the last few years we just went shopping together and picked out what we wanted, took it home and put it under the tree until Christmas, or we bought something "for the house" that we both wanted.

Have yet to write the Christmas letter and address the Christmas cards.

I think the secret of getting through the holidays is to look at it like a smorgasbord - you don't have to eat the whole buffet table, nor are you expected to - do the things you enjoy and that have meaning for you, and don't sweat the rest.

It can be hard to get off the gift-giving merry-go-round. Nobody wants to be the Grinch that spoiled Christmas, but it can get out of hand. I'd be curious to hear how others have simplified their holidays.

[grannylib]

24. haven't started, no job, no money. Will be making lots of stuff

this year I think....

[VelmaD]

26. Making stuff is good

I know some of the gifts I cherish most are handmade...xmas ornaments from my niece, an afghan from my best friend. :-)

[cmf]

25. Almost

Since we live far from family and I hate stores and the post office, my vow this year was to shop entirely on the internet. My half of the family is pretty much done. We're still working on my husband's half.

[eileen_d]

27. I have NEVER been so ahead of the game before!

I had surgery at the end of October, and during my recovery I went through a huge stack of catalogs. Then I got online and completed about 75% of my shopping *before* Thanksgiving. Now I'm at about 80%. But usually I start shopping right about now (i.e. today) so I feel your pain!