When do you buy presents?

1. 92

   Laura Schneiderposted 5 years ago

   When do you buy presents?
   
   Do you generally buy gifts way in advance of the giving occasion, within a few days before it, or (oops) afterward?

   replyreport
2. 59

   AMAZING THINKERposted 5 years ago

   For someone close to me, I just make them one, like a special handmade greeting card, or a painting etc. Otherwise I just buy in advance.

   replyreport
   1. 92

      Laura Schneiderposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Most of my favorite gifts are hand-made or collected (I collect rocks) by friends and family. We RARELY purchase cards or gifts for each other; instead we have an outing together (visit a museum, arboretum, zoo, concert, play, etc.).

      replyreport
   2. 59

      AMAZING THINKERposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds nice!

      replyreport
3. 73

   Veroniquebeeposted 5 years ago

   It varies for me. I already am picking gifts for occassions like Christmas - I know it's really early, but in my opinion, when I see just the PERFECT gift, it can never be too soon to get it. Otherwise, I am able to pick the gift after the occassion - and all those who matter to me know I can be that way and do not mind the wait, because they know I wish to give them a thoughful gift, not just something which may be pretty, but otherwise absolutely useless.

   replyreport
   1. 92

      Laura Schneiderposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer! I am much the same way--if I see the perfect gift, I buy it in advance, but only occasionally. Often I buy gifts after the fact. Sometimes I do give gifts that are just plain pretty (like real, original artwork) but otherwise useless.

      replyreport
4. 95

   ESPeck1919posted 5 years ago

   It depends on how discombobulated I am. I'm terrible with birthdays...lots of belated birthday wishes come from me, and I think people have come to the realization that I'm just horrid with dates.
   
   However, I usually end up making gifts if they're for family, and when I do buy gifts, I try to get them a few days in advance.

   replyreport
   1. 92

      Laura Schneiderposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I do that, too! I make gifts if I can, rather than buy them, for family. Our family has a "no gifts/no cards" policy for all holidays because we generally buy what we need when we need it and don't need useless stuff, and no over-priced cards!!

      replyreport
5. 95

   peeplesposted 5 years ago

   I buy my gifts year round. There are very few people I buy gifts for. Mostly in laws and my husband and children. I know what all of them like so if I see something I know one would like I buy it even if there are months before I can give it to them. Christmas shopping is usually done in my house by July!

   replyreport
   1. 92

      Laura Schneiderposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      JULY! WOW, you are one organized person! In my house it's usually done by January (of the following year). LOL
      
      What do you do if, in the mean time, they end up buying an item like what you've already purchased for a gift?

      replyreport
   2. 95

      peeplesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I tape all receipts to the gifts so that if I need to I can return them. There are always a couple things that can't be bought till last minute. It's kind of hard to hide new bikes!

      replyreport
6. 0

   sheilamyersposted 5 years ago

   For Christmas, my goal is to be finished before the craziness starts on Black Friday. Usually I'll start shopping at the end of August with nothing particular in mind. I can just see something and know it's the right gift for the people on my list. When it comes to baby and bridal showers, I usually go out and get something a few days after I get the invitation. Other things - birthdays, anniversaries, etc - a lot of times I fit under your "ooops" category.

   replyreport
   1. 92

      Laura Schneiderposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Haha--I'm glad I'm not the only late gift-giver! Very smart to buy bridal/baby gifts right after you get the invitation--much more to pick from on their gift registries, and at more price points so you can afford it!

      replyreport