Thread: Birthday / Holiday (Chistmas) Shopping

Hi everyone!

I was just curious if anyone else tries to do birthday or Christmas shopping SUPER early? My daughter's birthday is in October and obviously Christmas is just 2 months after that.

Between birthday parties, presents, and holidays, that time can get VERY expensive. I try to pick things up a little at a time when I can with extra money I might have, usually starting in August for both birthday and Christmas presents for my daughter.

Just curious how those families with multiple children do it? Any tips on good times to buy? Is there a certain amount of money you limit for each child? Or do you buy a certain number of gifts for each child?

My daughter is dying for an American Girl Doll, which will cost about $150 without shipping. She is going to be 8 years old this October and I'm seriously considering buying it for her as her "big/expensive" Christmas present. I just hope she is responsible enough for a doll that expensive. It just worries me a little.

Any advice or tips or comments, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

When there's nothing specific in mind I like shopping around memorial day, thats when the new stuff for summer arrive so they need to get rid of anything from the winter and spring. Great time to buy perfumes, blankets and whatnot.

I am notorious for starting my Christmas shopping in December. I swear every year I will start early and then somehow time gets away from me. This has encouraged me to start early shopping this year. I know I could save money if I would look for sales all year long.

For my kids birthdays I do start a little bit earlier because they usually make known what they want months in advance. They love their birthdays. I plan big birthday parties too and start the planning for that a couple months in advance.

Generally I try when we have the money to start my shopping in January when they clearance all the Christmas left overs. Walmart clearance toys is January and August, so if we have the extra money I will try to pick up a few things here and there.

I have two kids, my stepson, and nieces/nephew to buy for. For our kids we usually spend right around $100 each for birthdays and Christmas.

I definitely start early. Well at least I'm starting to do that. Josephs birthday is November 20, and Christmas is just over a month away from that. He will be 2 this November, and we didn't have a good Christmas last year. So I'm trying to make up for that this year. I don't have any price limits in mind either. I have some ideas for things I know I want to get him: lego set, playdough set, play vacuum, etc. Then I will end up buying other christmas and birthday gifts as well as stocking stuffers.

Also this is going to be our first Christmas in our own place and I do not have a Christmas tree yet. So I plan on buying a Christmas tree, ornaments, and decorations online. I figure that if I buy one super early online I can probably get a really good deal.


I was also planning to buy stuff for Joseph's room such as a little couch and recliner and stuff. So if I buy those early I may just put them in his room. But if I buy them closer to his bday/christmas then I may just put it under the tree with the other stuff.



I have already started buying some smaller gifts and stocking stuffers for Joseph. We recently had a buy one get one for $1 sale at the store where I work. So I got him a cars boxed wooden puzzle set, a Melissa and Doug Horse Stable with horses, and a few little matchbox and hotwheels cars and planes(because he loves cars a lot.)


We always have great sales at the store where I work plus I get an employee discount and I can also use the coupons that come out. So I end up getting really good deals on stuff there.


I'm constantly looking for sales and clearances at stores and online for great deals for Christmas and Birthdays, and just overall in general. I do buy stuff at normal price if I really like it or need it, but shopping the sales saves me tons of money.

I always try to knock out the boys shopping as much as I can on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. I try to spend an equal amount, but I'm not super strict about it. They both basically get one big gift and then a few extra little things or things to compliment the gift (like last year they got 3DS' with a few games each). I start early for adults too, but they all get a "standard" gift set. Everyone gets custom Christmas cards designed on Shutterfly as well as a letter with an update from the last year, and I'll include a specific gift card for each person, or a Amazon gift card for those difficult people

I have five kids who all have birthdays really close together. It starts in July with my husband and son 2 days apart, then one of my daughters is in August, my youngest son is in September, my oldest daughter is in October and my youngest daughter is in November. Right during the months leading up to Christmas! That does not include close family members like my dad, mom, sister and so on..

At any rate, gift buying is tough on me. I find it easier to pick stuff up when I can, here and there..wherever I find deals and sales. I just picked up my daughter a tea set for her birthday in November because I saw it on sale and couldnt pass it up..

The best times I have found, are right before a change of season. Stuff is generally not in high demand because there are not too many shopping holidays during that time and right at the beginning of summer, all the winter stuff is on sale. Vice versa for winter time with summer clothes. Not to mention the stores are trying to clear out for new inventory..

I dont like to wait till black Friday, because lets face it..even though there are some good deals, its not worth it half the time to fight the crowds. I would just rather spend the few extra dollars and shop peacefully..or buy it used on Ebay..Amazon or another cheap shopping site online. It would take a whole lot to get me out on that day now...

I didnt really set amounts before..I just generally went by what the kids asked for.. within a reasonable budget..and I tried to get them what I could. This year however, I have set a rather high amount for each of them because my son got a lcd tv this year that cost me $200. So I told the girls that they would get the same amount on their birthdays..to me ..its allot, but since I wasnt working the last two years, they didnt really get good birthdays or Christmas and Im trying to make it up this year.

I am facing the same situation with my 11 year old son who I bought the tv for..I am still worried that he wont take good care of the tv I bought him, but its been a month now and so far so good..Thats definitely part of growing up I think though,..is having the opportunity to take care of stuff..or break it..without the opportunity, you never learn.

I love all the great ideas. I'll have to remember those times of the year when stores clearance thing out.

Since posting this thread, I bought one large plastic storage tub. I have been finding sales or clearance items & started filling my tub. It's the birthday/Christmas tub for my daughter. I have it about half full now; and it's only September!!!!

I even had my daughter make her birthday AND Christmas wish list last month. So now I can also buy toys she wants, rather then just toys on sale I might think she will want. Although, I think I know my daughter well enough to just buy things for her and she does like them.

Originally Posted by Kristen

I love all the great ideas. I'll have to remember those times of the year when stores clearance thing out.

Since posting this thread, I bought one large plastic storage tub. I have been finding sales or clearance items & started filling my tub. It's the birthday/Christmas tub for my daughter. I have it about half full now; and it's only September!!!!

I even had my daughter make her birthday AND Christmas wish list last month. So now I can also buy toys she wants, rather then just toys on sale I might think she will want. Although, I think I know my daughter well enough to just buy things for her and she does like them.

I really like your idea of the birthday/Christmas tub. Right now I have just been piling stuff in a spare closet. I will h
ave to do a tub next time.