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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Where do you do your Christmas shopping?
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Ramarius
Shipmate
# 16551
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Posted
I've managed to do almost all of it from home. The delivery man has become my surrogate partner in the annual melee. How's it going for you? Are you taking the reduced stress option and ordering online, or is Christmas shopping - getting out and finding stuff - a fun enterprise in its own right?
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Posts: 950 | From: Virtually anywhere | Registered: Jul 2011
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
Wide-eyed comment:
You shop at Christmas?
I guess I do too. Why, just yesterday, I bought a roll of aluminium foil!
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Starbug
Shipmate
# 15917
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Posted
Having boycotted Starbucks over their tax habits (I prefer Costa, anyway), I'm ashamed to say that most of my pressies have been ordered from Amazon - mainly because they were cheaper. I get them delivered to my Mum's house, as she is retired and the post generally arrives while I'm at work.
I am going out tomorrow to the local garden centre, though, to get a few gifts.
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“Oh the pointing again. They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?” ― The Day of the Doctor
Posts: 1189 | From: West of the New Forest | Registered: Sep 2010
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by PeteC:
Why, just yesterday, I bought a roll of aluminium foil!
Was that in case of the apocalypse?
In recent years I've tended to buy more things via the internet, but that's more because some of them haven't been available in the shops.
I do quite enjoy shopping for presents. It's good to be able to see a wide range of choices, without typing in any keywords, and be able to buy them there and then and take them home on completion of transaction. Browsing, that sort of thing.
I'm nearly done now - just waiting for a DVD I sent off for to arrive, and that should be the last of it. Dispatching the stuff and writing Christmas cards is another matter and I'm a hopeless procrastinator about posting cards.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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bib
Shipmate
# 13074
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Posted
I buy things during the year as I see them, in shops, catalogues and online. I keep a present cupboard which gets raided for birthdays and Christmas and this works well for me.
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"My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring"
Posts: 1307 | From: Australia | Registered: Oct 2007
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by bib:
I buy things during the year as I see them, in shops, catalogues and online. I keep a present cupboard which gets raided for birthdays and Christmas and this works well for me.
I do exactly the same - it works well and I don't do any shopping in December.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
I have no living family, so I do vey little shopping, most of it on the internet.
I had to make an emergency purchase yesterday, however, when a friend gave me a CD last week (not for Christmas), and it was the same one I had gotten for him last summer and put aside for Christmas. I'm afraid he may have gotten one for himself at the same time, so I need to have a back-up. (But at least I know he likes it!)
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Augustine the Aleut
Shipmate
# 1472
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Posted
My ambition is to do most of my Xmas shopping done by Michaelmas, picking up (small) presents at various artsie things I attend. This year, things were a bit dislocated so I have just completed. I tend to buy CDs from local musicians I know or books by local writers, and have them inscribe them to the recipients. This has the triple effect of personalizing them, of defeating the regifting impulse, and of supporting some very high-quality not-far-from-grassroots cultural iniatives.
I do not think I have ever bought a present online, but Ottawa is full of interesting artisan and singer/writer opportunities, so perhaps I don't need to. But I think this might be helpful for those who can't get out or around that easily, or who live in places with fewer gift-resources, or whose only shopping time is on the computer when everyone has been put to bed.
Posts: 6236 | From: Ottawa, Canada | Registered: Oct 2001
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QLib
Bad Example
# 43
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Posted
I am trying really, really hard to avoid Amazon for gifts. So far I've done Waterstones, local craft markets and the supermarkets. Most of my family and friends are going to get pretty unimaginative presents this year: chocolates and booze.
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Tradition is the handing down of the flame, not the worship of the ashes Gustav Mahler.
Posts: 8913 | From: Page 28 | Registered: May 2001
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Eigon
Shipmate
# 4917
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Posted
Starbug - Amazon is no better than Starbucks when it comes to tax.
We have a Food Fair at the end of November every year, with local producers, and I always buy some jams and chutneys and so on to make up mini-hampers of things that my relatives can't buy where they are. This year I got some special golden pear jam in honour of our local Paralympic champion!
Today I was at a local Christmas Craft Fair, and got a lovely purse done in cross stitch by a woman in Bethlehem. I was on the Stitch and Bitch stall, and it was lovely to see people buying knitted and crocheted hats and wearing them instantly!
I also have a friend in the Fairtrade group who makes gorgeous soaps - with FT ingredients and local spring water - so I try to get some presents from her.
With luck and a following wind, I never have to go near a chain store!
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Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
Posts: 3710 | From: Hay-on-Wye, town of books | Registered: Aug 2003
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
Mousethief and I do as much of our shopping as possible in small local stores. We get things that often can't be had at the Big Box stores, and we support local businesses and the local community at the same time.
We buy a few things online, when we're looking for something in particular that we can't find locally.
We also make some gifts.
We avoid malls and Big Box stores.
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I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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ArachnidinElmet
Shipmate
# 17346
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Posted
Amazon-avoiding would be lovely, but there's a bit of a vicious circle. There were some items that I definitely wanted that just didn't seem to be available in a Real Life shop. More organisation next year = Amazon avoidance. Local shops and markets are good, but I'm a fan of TKMax for weird home stuff and good quality smellies at lowish prices.
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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka
Posts: 1887 | From: the rhubarb triangle | Registered: Sep 2012
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birdie
fowl
# 2173
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Posted
We've picked up bits and pieces over the last few months. I'm at the stage now where I need to get everything together that we've bought so far, and work out who hasn't been done.
Massively annoyed that Amazon's tax-badness was revealed just before Christmas as I don't want to use them now, but they would make it a lot easier.
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"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness."
Captain Jack Sparrow
Posts: 1290 | From: the edge | Registered: Jan 2002
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comet
Snowball in Hell
# 10353
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Posted
Amazon despite big business issues because I just dont have a lot of other options, particularly for clothes and books. Also Thinkgeek (the delivery guy knows my dogs by name!) and local craft bazaars. I try to avoid a city trip if I can help it, but this year I was given a Fred Meyer* gift card and I'm broke, so the trip will be necessary.
We often try to make gifts within the family, but my creative juices are pretty dry this year.
*Fred Meyer= PacNW box store slightly less evil than Wally World.
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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions
"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin
Posts: 17024 | From: halfway between Seduction and Peril | Registered: Sep 2005
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
I've been getting gifts online for the past month or two. Especially Granddaughter-type presents!
*big sigh* Yesterday after work, I hit Target, Barnes and Nobel, and Total Wine. Didn't get to bed until midnight, but it was worth it! I'm done!!!!
I think.
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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mousethief
Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953
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Posted
Mostly small local shops.
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This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...
Posts: 63536 | From: Washington | Registered: Jul 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
As we're on one side of the Big Pond and our families are on the other, we tend to use the interweb. We're in the Wine Society, which has a very good catalogue of food and drink pressies, and will deliver free of charge to any number of addresses in the UK; and we also use Judith Glue, a retailer in Kirkwall that sends hampers of nice Orkney goodies.
For some friends, I'll resort to shopping centres, and for others I'll make foodie things (I make red-pepper jelly, Scottish tablet and various pâtés, which make nice pressies).
If I could find any damsons, I'd make damson GIN, but I never see them in the shops here. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Olde Sea Dog
Shipmate
# 13061
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Posted
Amazon or Walmart. Sorry, that's the best a poor old mutt can do.
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Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Posts: 67 | From: The C of Consciousness - California | Registered: Oct 2007
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Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
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Posted
About half my presents come from Thinkgeek. It's hard to find (nonsexual) adult toys that I can afford for friends and family. And who wants more socks? Everyone likes opening a box and finding a toy! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
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BessLane
Shipmate
# 15176
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Posted
We only buy for the nephews and niece, and each other. Luckily, everyone but the niece can be shopped for one locally owned, although giant and AWESOME, hunting store, Final Flight. The niece requires a trip to Wally-world or Toys-R-Us, but she'll be old enough to get her own hunting stuff next year so it will be one stop, local shopping for all. ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
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It's all on me and I won't tell it.
formerly BessHiggs
Posts: 1388 | From: Yorkville, TN | Registered: Sep 2009
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Nenya
Shipmate
# 16427
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
quote:
Originally posted by bib:
I buy things during the year as I see them, in shops, catalogues and online. I keep a present cupboard which gets raided for birthdays and Christmas and this works well for me.
I do exactly the same - it works well and I don't do any shopping in December.
![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif) This is a Nirvana I hope to reach, but it won't be this year. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
I shop locally as much as possible, to support the local trade and also because I walk into any big store at any time of year and want to walk straight out again. I can see what I'm looking at in a smaller shop. I've done one visit to the nearest shopping mall with my daughter (an expert shopper) and plan to go nowhere near the place again until at least next March.
Nen - now bracing herself for the Great Present Wrapping Ceremony.
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They told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn.
Posts: 1289 | Registered: May 2011
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
I had a sneak preview to check on my shopping-fu powers. Our After Church Lunch-Bunch met at my home, and I gave them little gifts based on things I heard them mention over the past year. Score!
Shopped everywhere from an open-air market in Finland to the local JC Penneys. ...And England via Amazon. That was a real hit!!
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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marzipan
Shipmate
# 9442
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Posted
I try to buy things in real life, but books I buy online so that I don't have to spend a fortune posting them.
My favourite place to buy presents is the toy shop - Mr Marzipan & I decided this year to just get presents for close family and small people (I love buying toys!)
I tend to find things I like and then forget to buy them, which is a bit stupid as the shop never has them later. Ah well. I'm disorganised but the last posting date's not till next week!
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formerly cheesymarzipan.
Now containing 50% less cheese
Posts: 917 | From: nowhere in particular | Registered: May 2005
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Alex Cockell
Ship’s penguin
# 7487
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Posted
Housebound, so Amazon it is...
Posts: 2146 | From: Reading, Berkshire UK | Registered: Jun 2004
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balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
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Posted
I don't decide on presents until Christmas eve then rush around the shops before they close early. In other words, Man Shopping.
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Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
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Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
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Posted
I try to have all shopping done before Dec. 1 and also tend to shop locally and at fund raiser craft fairs through out the year. I do not shop on line unless it is sent to my house where I can check it over and then I remail it. I sent wool once to a knitting friend and found that they had mailed the wrong color. Yuck bright pink, rather then the nice soft rose I had picked out. She lived out of the area and I just happened to visit her that year at Christmas. It made me wonder about all the other things that I had wrapped and mailed from on line stores that were mixed up.
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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HughWillRidmee
Shipmate
# 15614
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Posted
As much as possible (50%ish) UNICEF (including longlife shopping bags again whether they like it or not!), stunning part-price books by post from Victoria Dock, E16, balance in local towns' specialists (jewellers etc.)
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The danger to society is not merely that it should believe wrong things.. but that it should become credulous, and lose the habit of testing things and inquiring into them...
W. K. Clifford, "The Ethics of Belief" (1877)
Posts: 894 | From: Middle England | Registered: Apr 2010
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Sleepwalker
Shipmate
# 15343
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Posted
Post banking crisis when shops in my home town began to close (and they keep on closing), I made a conscious decision to buy all my gifts - Christmas, birthday and me treats - from my home town centre. My home town isn't big and it isn't pretty but it is amazing what I have managed to find just by taking time out to look around. I've got everything that everyone wanted and more besides.
The only thing I have ordered online is a copy of the Olympics DVD and Paralympics DVD. Everything else - for parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends - has been bought from the shops around my local town centre.
I've almost finished my shopping and I've loved doing it. I always do. Cards are posted and I'm now relaxing into some festive partying!
Posts: 267 | From: somewhere other than here | Registered: Dec 2009
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