Why I don’t like Christmas shopping
@shaggin (73603)
United States
December 23, 2024 10:31pm CST
I realized today why I don’t like shopping for gifts for holidays such as Christmas.
I like when I’m shopping and see things that remind me of certain people. I like to buy it for them at random to give them to let them know I’ve thought of them. I think it’s more special and makes me feel good.
For Christmas I have a set amount of money I spend on each person. It gets anxiety inducing to have to worry about how much has to be spent to include everyone. Having to reach a certain amount to feel like I’ve done enough for each person takes any fun out of it. I know in the end the gifts make them happy but I prefer random gifting over holiday gifting.
Everytime I thought I was done this year I had someone else to buy for. Today I finally finished up all the shopping. Thankfully since the traffic was so heavy it took me 32 minutes to go a half mile. We wound up buying for 19 people. I can’t even think of the cost I went through all my online earnings in the process.
Photo is unrelated but is of the Christmas cards my little one and I made for 10 people this year.
15 people like this
17 responses
@Dreamerby (6336)
• Calcutta, India
24 Dec
I like gifts irrespective of it being random or pertaining to some festival
2 people like this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
28 Dec
@Dreamerby Gifts are nice but I always feel so guilty when people waste their money on me.
@kaylachan (74129)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Dec
George and I don't do Christmas shopping. Sending a card, well.... that's the extent of it.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@kaylachan well if that’s what works for both of you then that’s great 
. Sometimes I wish I could stop it all as well.
. Sometimes I wish I could stop it all as well.1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@kaylachan others won’t agree to stop and then I feel obligated to reciprocate
1 person likes this
@allknowing (139701)
• India
24 Dec
We do not have that custom here but at parties for kids I give everyone the same gift including the adults who attend the parity.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
29 Dec
@allknowing I give kids different gifts then adults. Kids interests are very different. If it was food it maybe okay for both adults and kids.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (139701)
• India
29 Dec
@shaggin I added a hand fan which can be used by kids and adults alike
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6933)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec
All the shops here have an after Christmas sale going on now, so lots of stuff is much cheaper than during the build-up. So it’s better to buy now for next Christmas if you can be bothered. I can’t.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
29 Dec
@Orson_Kart oh good point a lot less germs spread in the summer especially outside.
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
28 Dec
@Orson_Kart I got some stuff yesterday at Dollar General for 50% off. I’m doing a Christmas in July party so got some things for that. My daughter works at a thrift store which has all the Christmas stuff at 75% off. I’m out truck shopping with my husband so I can’t go see what’s left. My daughter is sending me photos and I’m choosing what for her to get and I’ll pay her back later.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6933)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec
@shaggin Christmas in July? I like the sound of that! Warmer, longer days and no winter viruses to contend with. It’s a winner all round. 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (139952)
• United States
24 Dec
I've always loved giving gifts but, like you, prefer they not be for something like Christmas... Gifting randomly during the year is more fun and interesting, in my opinion.
I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
24 Dec
@Daddyevil how awesome we feel the same way about giving gifts .
Thank you! I hope you and pretty have a nice Christmas as well. So far my son has a cold and my oldest daughter has a fever so plans are changing 
.
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Thank you! I hope you and pretty have a nice Christmas as well. So far my son has a cold and my oldest daughter has a fever so plans are changing .1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
24 Dec
@DaddyEvil sounds okay if that’s what you both like. So much pressure for holidays.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (139952)
• United States
24 Dec
@shaggin You're very welcome.
Pretty and I haven't done Christmas in years. While I worked at Walmart, the fun got sucked out of the holidays. I still make a nice meal but that's all we do.
I hope everyone at your house feel better quickly.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82052)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Dec
I had all the shopping for a lifetime when I lived in NYC, The shops were so full and everyone pushing and shoving it was not fun, In Latvia the stores were emptier and you could enjoy shopping, Now I no longer have any shopping to do, I hope your Christmas will be merry and bright,
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@RasmaSandra the overcrowded stores sounds terrible. I wouldn’t miss that one bit. Do you go out just to browse now even though you don’t have anyone to buy for?
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@RasmaSandra my husband loves online shopping
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82052)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Jan
@shaggin nope I have no way of getting anywhere so I do all my shopping online
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (161881)
• United States
5 Jan
I love the Christmas hug idea. I do not buy many gifts anymore.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
5 Jan
@GardenGerty it was fun to make the cards I got the idea on Pinterest.
That’s good you don’t have to buy a lot of gifts. Less stressful.
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
25 Dec
@snowy22315 it really is. My little one is still awake at 11pm and I have all the wrapping left to do. The cupcakes and cookies I got baked today so that’s checked off my list. It’ll certainly all be worthwhile tomorrow though to have a wonderful Christmas with everyone.
@luisadannointed (7033)
• Philippines
7 Jan
Without thinking of money, shopping for Christmas gifts is one if the best activities when the holiday is coming.
But counting the money i spend makes me really a bit anxious, lol!
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
8 Jan
@luisadannointed yes the who having to worry about money matters ruins the fun of buying gifts.
@RebeccasFarm (91120)
• Arvada, Colorado
5 Jan
Wouldn't it be nice to have enough to not have to budget.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
5 Jan
@RebeccasFarm yes then I could enjoy buying gifts more and give to even more people.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (110570)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Dec
I don't put a dollar amount on it. I just get stuff I think they will like. I pick things up all year and put them up for Christmas. I also will not spend more than I can afford at Christmas.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
24 Dec
@wolfgirl569 my husband is to generous with his money at Christmas time. It makes me really nervous. I’d rather have more set aside to pay taxes etc rather than worry when they come up.
1 person likes this
I will never!@shaggin (73603)
• United States
25 Dec
@anya12adwi we stopped exchanging with our siblings and most nieces and nephews but if we had given to them as well it would be been 34 people we had to give gifts too. A few years ago this was the case thankfully my sister and my husbands sisters agreed to stop exchanging. I wish I could get more people to agree to do that. 19 is a lot of people to buy for.
1 person likes this
@anya12adwi (10139)
• India
27 Dec
@shaggin It can be a mental task too along with a physical one! Let us not talk about the stress!! Same happens in our marriages!! It is a financial burden!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183840)
• United States
24 Dec
Cute card. I only had to buy for 3 people this year; and they were all gift cards. Have a good Christmas Eve.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@LindaOhio I love the ease of giving gift cards!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183840)
• United States
2 Jan
@shaggin Yes. I like it better than giving someone something they don't want or need.
1 person likes this
@Gnana_Helps (712)
•
24 Dec
It sounds like you’ve been working hard on making this Christmas special for everyone, even if it wasn’t the way you preferred to shop. It’s great that you found a way to finish everything up, even with the holiday stress. The handmade cards with your little one sound like a beautiful touch
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@Gnana_Helps I think everyone has a nice Christmas so it all made it worth it in the end .
.1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52231)
• Philippines
24 Dec
I don't have to think about those anymore. People over crowd the malls as they shop for Xmas gifts.
Yeah I used to get myself busy with those but not anymore.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (73603)
• United States
1 Jan
@Letranknight2015 oddly enough while the traffic was horrible the stores weren’t that crowded. Maybe everyone was doing online ordering and curbside pickup.
