Christmas Shopping?

[ScottRadom]

So, anyone done? Started?

Every damn year I promise that I will be done by Dec 1st, and for the 4th straight year I haven't even started. There's not even any smow around here so it's tough for me to get in the mood without it. I don't even have more than about 6 people to get gifts for, and since one of them is my 5 year old boy it's really like shopping for me so that barely counts.

Man, I usually love Christmas. Mostly because the thought of waking up and getting a bunch of stuff has NEVER grown old on me. It's my most self indulgent time of year as I can buy myself all sorts of stuff, slap a "From Santa" tag on it and bingo. The wife can't even argue, 'cause it's the miracel of Christmas!

Maybe I should go spend the afternoon buying stuff for myself. Who knows? I might find something for the wife and kids somewhere out there too.

Anyone else ready for the poobah of spending days?

 

[supervike]

I think I'm starting to scroogify....

Every year I'm dreading Christmas more and more. Buying and receiving gifts that people don't really need, and probably don't really want depresses me.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of doing something for my family members, but it seems we've lost sight of that.

Bah Humbug.

 

[PegaZus]

I need to buy a gift for my wife, and take the kids shopping for their gift to her, but I think we're nearly done. Haven't been really involved that much this year. About the only thing I'm on the hook for is what the in-laws in Japan will get for me. Drawn a complete blank on that one as I've eaten all the different flavors of Kit Kats that I can stand (today was soy sauce, green tea, flan, lemon & vinegar, and a regular).

 

[noneedforaname]

Finished and wrapped, engage smug mode mainly cos im gonna be off my feet for a week or two before xmas so made an effort. Plus I avoided all the shopping zombies.

 

[evil tendencies]

I'm about halfway done, but I start shopping at Halloween. Whatever I don't get by Black Friday (day after our Thanksgiving) I get online. The sales are just as good, and I just can't stand shopping crowds. Holiday sales seem to bring out the worst in people, and it totally spoils my enjoyment of the season.

 

[freakinacage]

i have to buy a heat gun for my mum and 2 'secret santa' work prezzies. otherwise all done.

working xmas day so wrapping will be done xmas eve though...

 

[SkelettetS]

havent started yet, usually i start shopping like the 20th with lots of panic:silly!:. i think its so damn boring and really dont like this fanatical consuming thing.

actually i think that santa is a bit of a fascist who only deliver presents to the wealthy kids (had to write something political correct )

 

[Legacy Account]

The mrs has bought me an S90 but she won't let me have it until Christmas. Bugger.

Just need to get her something now. And wrap up an empty box for the boy

 

[Chrome]

Won't be any christmas shopping for me this year, since I'm switching apartments my rent alone ended up at over €1000, that hurt. XD But, I've told people and there are very few who actually get presents from me on a regular basis anyway.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Every year I'm dreading Christmas more and more.
Buying and receiving gifts that people don't really need, and probably don't really want depresses me.

Join the club.
This 'Season of Good Cheer' is something I've come to despise, from September onwards we are bombarded with the start of 'Must buy for Christmas' mentality.

I HATE shops that stock up with "The Perfect Gift for Him" TAT, based on either Golf, Football, Fishing or Cheap Alcohol Gift sets. Ditto "the Perfect Gift for Her" garbage, as if I think so little of my wife to buy her a Spice Rack.
And as for Christmas Carols/Songs blaring out in shops tannoy's, that is guarenteed to put me in a foul mood. (I do however feel heartily sorry for shop assistants having to put up with the cr*p of recycled old pop music, which to be honest was, and is, an attempt to self promote record sales with a Christmas No 1).

And then there's the wonderful annual office party where we're supposed to be friends with everyone.................bollocks.
If there's some ars*h*le I can't stand 12 months of the year, I'm damned if I'll be a hypocrite and be his best friend for one evening.


Ahh I feel much better getting that off me chest.

 

[matty1001]

Cows don't tend to have much Xmas spirit so it will be like any other day on the farm. I normally don't celebrate it anyway but this year being on a farm I will completely miss it.

Peace and love...

 

[Beelzebrush]

Meh to all the grumpy feckers lol

Christmas is ace

Having a ten year old son helps of course.... I just buy myself stuff by proxy

A largeish family affair on Christmas Day at our place with all the trimmings, playing zombies or poker whilst rat-arsed and not having to worry about work the next day.... what's not to like

I haven't started shopping yet though....

 

[freakinacage]

I HATE shops that stock up with "The Perfect Gift for Him" TAT, based on either Golf, Football, Fishing or Cheap Alcohol Gift sets. Ditto "the Perfect Gift for Her" garbage, as if I think so little of my wife to buy her a Spice Rack.
And as for Christmas Carols/Songs blaring out in shops tannoy's, that is guarenteed to put me in a foul mood. (I do however feel heartily sorry for shop assistants having to put up with the cr*p of recycled old pop music which to be honest was and is an attempt to self promote record sales with a Christmas No 1).

And then there's the wonderful annual office party where we're supposed to be friends with everyone.................bollocks.
If there's some ars*h*le I can't stand 12 months of the year, I'm damned if I'll be a hypocrite and be his best friend for one evening.

oh dear it seems i am quite a scrooge as well! i agree with just about everything you said there. although i would have loved a spice rack last year (i have one now so don't rush out to the shops)

tbh i cant complain, i only have my folks to buy for as my friends never buy amongst ourselves (just b'days) but i do hate the tacky crap. i do however like random gadgets. i have asked for some false teeth shaped ice cube holders for example. not sure why but it's different...

i love the feels generally but it feels like it is rammed down your throat more and more. tbh i dont go into town or watch tv much so it's ok for me. although in wales there does seem to be a tendency to go overboard with tacky lights. some people have had theirs up for ages. what a waste of energy

as for xmas parties... we tend to have a formal one which costs about £40 for a crap meal and double for either the taxi or a room. it's all stupid dancing with people who are a lot older than you and the music is so loud, you cant even talk. only been to one. not my cup of tea. we also have a nice unofficial one. just go out for an indian and a few drinks. never stay out for the 'clubbing' after though, feels a bit weird

 

[laurence]

Santa's sacked!

Hehe ~ I did enjoy your post Dragonsreach. The ol' spice rack for the misses is such a dis! I will however miss spending Christmas with my mum (who was born in Leeds). She makes the best roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding, and the best gravy. As far as buying Chrissy gifts/cards etc goes, I'll do what I've always pretty much done, not bother.

 

[ipaintminis]

I love the spirit of christmas, and i LOVE christmas songs, carols and all that. What I don't love is the consumerism waste. the need for a new something when the old something works and will only end up in a dump somewhere unnecessarily. The environmentalist in me doesn't like that one bit.

This year I've told everyone I'm not doing all the buy presents shinanigans. I'm happy to be where I am with people I love and thats enough for me. Although I am hand making presents for everyone else, what can I say? I'm crafty!

 

[supervike]

And wrap up an empty box for the boy

I know how that works....

You'll get him an empty box, and he'll only want to play with the wrapping paper!

 

[GreenOne]

I'm not that big on christmas, when I was unhappier I was grumpier and really disliked it... now I'm kinda neutral. I do like the gathering on the 24 and 25... It's only close family, some wine, good food... the gifts are an afterthought for me... never bought much of them in the past years but now I do more, cause I can afford it.
I hate christmas songs though, with a passion. Old passé lyrics, stupid feel-good cliches and nit wit musical arangement, slapped together with no sense of quality production by failing artists who couldn't care less cause they know they will sell only because it's written christmas on the cover. Blah.
I do pop in the 'A twisted christmas' (Twisted sisters.) album close to C day because I don't want to be entirely left out of the christmas thing, and it's the only thing christmasssy I can stand (It doesn't contradict the 'failing artist' and 'no sense of quality' argument though).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grwP8QvI1jY

Then came in the GF, totally opposite from me on that, she loves everything about it, even the songs and she's really big on gifts... it's a subject in conversations starting as early as september and I have to play along. The good thing with that is that by mid november most of the shopping is done, so we don't have to spend all that money in one go cause we never know when something unexpected might happen and f*ck up your budget (See my other thread.)

 

[Einion]

I've bought two presents already but I've held off buying any more since I'll be on holiday shortly and there'll be lots of chances to get stuff then (and at a good exchange rate, :victory.

The wife can't even argue, 'cause it's the miracel of Christmas!

Man, she missing a gene or something?! :clown:

Einion

 

[evil tendencies]

Then came in the GF, totally opposite from me on that, she loves everything about it, even the songs and she's really big on gifts... it's a subject in conversations starting as early as september and I have to play along. The good thing with that is that by mid november most of the shopping is done, so we don't have to spend all that money in one go cause we never know when something unexpected might happen and f*ck up your budget (See my other thread.)

This also has the advantage of avoiding the sale zombies. Seriously, the things people do to each other at the stores this time of year in the name of saving money is just nuts...

 

[GreenOne]

Yeah, I heard some horror stories about that. But I think it's something that happens more south of the border... I never actually witnessed that.