When to Start Shopping for Holiday Gifts: My Irregular Routine

While many folks have established routines for holiday gift shopping, my approach has always been unconventional. I don’t stick to a specific calendar or a set month, choosing instead to shop sporadically throughout the year. However, with the end of the year fast approaching and Christmas around the corner, it’s time to reassess my strategy for the upcoming season.

Holiday Shopping Schedule: Diverse and Flexible

I tend to give gifts out of the blue, often on what I whimsically call 'No Reason Whatsoever Day.' Sometimes, I'll pick a random potted plant as a gift, which could include a flower, pepper, or even an experimental Salad Bowl with a variety of edible vegetation. If I want to hand off something to a family member for 'Giftmas,' it’s high time to start cultivating these unique plants if they aren't already in the making.

Most years, I begin picking up gifts sometime after Thanksgiving. Shopping tends to spike in the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas. Occasionally, I’ll wait until Christmas Eve to complete my shopping, only to breathe a sigh of relief once everything is bought and wrapped.

Catch the Sales: TheWindow Display after Candy Sales

One peculiar habit that I've kept is buying presents for myself on the day after candy sales when items are half-priced. This provides me with an impetus to stock my Amazon basket and add cash to my Amazon account regularly. Over the months, I collect enough for a few festive purchases.

Historically, I've started shopping in September, but this year, I'm running late and won't begin until November. To ensure I don’t forget to add items to my cart, I begin placing items in my Amazon basket around March and make steady monthly cash deposits to my account.

Unexpected Purchases: A Book for My Wife

While on my way somewhere a few weeks ago, I passed a bookstore. In the window, there was a book that my wife had been craving. I couldn't resist the opportunity and purchased it. I plan to drop it off at my parents' house so they can wrap and gift it for Christmas. If not for this spontaneous purchase, I would typically make sure everything is in order about eight days before Christmas, utilizing Prime for speedy delivery.

For my family, their birthdays are spread throughout the year. Therefore, between sibling birthdays and the main Christmas season, there's a range of gift-giving opportunities. I make sure to send one large present directly to my parents' house, while the rest are dropped off here. Storage is limited, so I often keep gift wrap rolls hidden behind the sofa. If I run out, I resort to the tape in my man drawer. Most gifts are wrapped at the table, while my wife’s presents are ingeniously hidden in the sofa or beneath her side of the bed, away from prying eyes.

The unpredictable nature of my gift-giving routine keeps the process exciting, but it also means that every year, there's a flurry of activity leading up to the festive season. This year, I'm embracing a more systematic approach, even if it means starting later than usual.