how far ahead to you buy stuff?

I wish I was as organised as that so I could start planning for NEXT Christmas,so soon after Xmas '08! I was doing some late night shopping this evening,and saw easter related stuff on the shelves already,and elsewhere in the store they still have Christmas mince pies available and decorations at reduced prices..If You have the storage space and the money available,and you can get the bargains to make it worth your while,why not?!

I save up for the stuff for Christmas but will not buy anything until November. The reason is we have a small house and where are we going to put it all? Also it will be gathering dust and I might not remember where it is, because more than likely it will be in boxes and then I will have to unpack and then wrap it. Oh and it might also be out of date. I would rather put my money into a high interest savings account and then down load it into my checking account at the time and order the stuff right then.

I usually shop about 2 months ahead, but sometimes end up closer to just a month ahead. Rarely do I shop last minute. Any of my last minute purchases are more likely impulse buys; so I tend to avoid stores right before holidays.

Extremely smart! I've done the same for years, until this past Christmas. I had to give cash, which isn't my favorite thing. If you shop in advance, you can find the right gift for people, not just buy something so that you can check them off the list. It saves tons of money, too!

we have eight nieces and nephews to buy for and i have already got most of thier presents for christmas bought. i just have to get birthday gifts.

I buy 3 months earlier so I dont spend time figuring out what to get. Or I buy whatever is on sale and worth having. I find deals mostly and just buy it before its out. This is one of the smartest things to do so you wont be to busy on the right day.

I do try to buy stuff on sale as far ahead as I can. Of course as it gets closer to time for the event I have to go back and check through it all because I have forgotten what I have purchased. I have three kids and I have to save money anywhere that I can. This is the only way I can make the holidays good for my children without breaking the bank.

i usually buy it a day or two before any festival.some may buy it durin a festive season when lots of discounts are offered.I dont look for offers,i go for genuine things,cause i believe the thing tat are offered discounts are defective

I think it is a great idea as long as you have the money to buy it when you do and you have the room to store it. I tend to still buy things durring the holidays even though I am already done shopping. I think I would do better if I kept a list or a better system of organization.

hello cher913, I believe you are smart. For buying things and stuff after every season is much much cheaper than buying them before every occasion. That way, you're not only saving a lot of money but also time and energy. Can even select and buy items at a very reasonable price and can give to anyone. All you need to do is to keep them for a while and you don't need to worry come the holiday season or easter for that matter. I think I will do that too so I can save more. Thanks for sharing.

I will buy stuff at after Christmas sales for the next Christmas. This also includes candy that isn't decorated for Christmas. I buy my gift wrap for the year (I find plain paper that is suitable for year round gift wrap...including silver, red, green, blue etc. that is 90% off) and other great things...I just bought a bunch of tins that are supposed to be for gift cards, but I am going to make them into something else to sell at craft shows. They were regularly $2.29 and I got them for 10 cents each!!! I always stock pile things are great for year round gifting...it helps save money when the date comes around.

Hi cher! I can't even think about the next day, let alone next Christmas or even Easter! But, if you can then I say great! I was able to finish my Christmas shopping with one week to spare last year! And for me that was a big deal! I am usually not finished until the day before! So I am getting a bit better! I have no money to even be thinking about Christmas right now and who knows what will happen between now and then! I will just wait and see!

I don't buy ahead too often. I am one of those last minute shoppers ! I definitly never buy christmas presents early, especially for kids because it seems what they like always changes! I would hate to buy something really early and then by thime christmas gets here they are no longer in to that.

I usually just regift the things I got last year, or for my birthday, and just buy some extra gifts last minute. As long as they don't go to the same circles of people, none will be the wiser. :)

I don't buy gifts too far ahead because tastes and situations change, but I do buy wrapping paper, etc., if I need it, and little stocking stuffers that can be used for almost anyone - but only when I find a good price/sale on them. It doesn't help to pay full price ahead of time, because sometimes the price will go down and you've wasted money. Since I don't have small children, most of my Easter stuff is used year after year. I buy candy right after if I go shopping before it's all gone, but again, without small children, it doesn't take much.

Providing you have the storage space and remember where you put the gifts you have bought people in advance, that's my trouble I buy cheap gifts and presents in sales for people, I put them away and when the time comes to give them the present I have forgotten what I have got for them or can't find where I've put it! It is a good idea, any money saving idea is good. Being able to Plan ahead is a good talent to have.

I buy alot of stuff ahead of time. Usually items for my kids ahead. You need to grab it when you see the deal KWIM? Like I found @ k-mart they are getting a new shoe supplier so kids shoes were like $5 & I have 3 kids with growing feet.... I can't pass that up!

No, not really. i start buying in July usually. But after christmas is to far in advance for me by that time people have usually already bought it by the next year if they really wanted it.

After what happened to me this year at christmas, you can bet I will be buying ahead, lol, so I won't be empty handed. Sometimes you can get some really good deals this time of year.

I tend to buy for my grandchildren sometimes early or when I see a bargain and know they will like it,I normally start my christmas shopping in september and like I say pick up bargains and they can have more that way.Easter is something we don't usually make to much of normally easter eggs for the little ones and a family get to gether at one of our houses,the trouble is everybody works most of Easter these days and it is hard to get everyone together for the day,we normally manage to sort something out,Some people I know make it almost the same as christmas but we have never done that the kids don't miss out but it is toned down as we have a birthday nearly every month as well four in jan so there are always presents and parties.Then we have the general get to gethers as well,it is a wonder we don't get fed up with each other.It is a good idea to spread it over the year and have fun all the time rather than just once or twice.