MomDot Party (Day 3): Holiday Shopping
Friday, November 14, 2008 27 Comments Tags: Blog Parties, Shopping
Today is the 3rd day of the MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party, which is running through the 27th of November.
Today's topic is . . .
When do you start Christmas shopping? How do you budget for Christmas? Do you stick to your budget?
I usually start my Christmas shopping at the beginning of the year. I make a list of the perfect gift (that I can afford) for each person I want to buy for. This gives me a lot of time to find the perfect gift for an exceptional price. If I can't think of a particular item for some people, I leave it blank until I do or until I happen to see something that would suit them.
I do not have a strict budget (which I actually should) about how much to spend overall or for each person. There is a mental limit. For instance, I could find something wonderful and think it is a great price for my sister's gift, but it is too much to spend on my child's teacher. I also have a general range for gifts for each of our children.
This year we sort of stuck to our budget, but not really. ;P We spent a lot more on our oldest son than we should have because his Santa gift is something all three children will enjoy. We did cut back a little on each of the other Santa's gifts and the gifts from my husband and myself to help make up for it.
If you'd like to join in on the blog party, it's not too late! There's still plenty of more fun to be had.
Thank you to Appledonia, Hippos Toes and My Bag for sponsoring the party today!
Note: I will be posting some of my party posts on this blog and some on my other blog. I will be sure to post a link here if the post of the day is on 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires. Don't forget to check out my giveaways too!
With your blog of goodies, i am sure it is easy for you to find presents for everyone!
I'm so envious that you start so early. I wish I could get motivated to do that.
WOW! You are organized!
You really start your list at the BEGINNING of the year? I wish I was that organized!
Great idea - making a list of the perfect gift for each person. I usually see something and think it would be good for someone....then I forget and it's Christmas time and I don't remember what it was!! :)
I have to start earlier next year!
That's pretty impressive, starting at the beginning of the year!
I'd love to start at the beginning of the year but I can't help giving presents away, lol, so they'd never make it to Christmas.:)
I wish I could start shopping at the beginning of the year like that. I always say I'm going to and then I never do. It's such a great way to do it though, you're not spending all that money at once.
Thanks for playing in the Blog Party!
Bridgette
MomDot
I want to start in January..but I never do!!!
I wish I could start that early. Sadly it takes me 11 months to figure out the perfect gift.
Wow! You start even earlier than i do!! Great job!!
That is impressive that you start so early!
Your shopping sounds so relaxed and stress-free. Nice that you stay on top of it through out the year.
I so wish I could start at the beginning of the year... thinking I will try to do this,this year
You and I sound a lot alike!
Good idea of making a list at the beginning of the year... and "looking" for the best deal!
That is exactly how I should describe our budget..."mental limit" Thanks for sharing.
Good for you for starting at the beginning of the year! That's the way to do it!
I wish I was organized enough to start at the beginning of the year.
Sounds like you're doing pretty good!
I would be dreadful and buying Christmas gifts months early. Once I get something for someone it is hard enough waiting a whole month (let's say) till Christmas to give it to them. lol
I'm impressed that you start so early!
OH man...I wish I could start at the beginning of the year! I just loose the momentum that I have right before Christmas. Awesome job!
I wish I could start at the beginning of the year too. Normally I'm so sick of shopping I don't even do anything major until March.
Wow, you are an inspiration