Christmas shopping fills me with dread and depression.

[Speicher]

Ring up your local bookshop and ask them to order the book for you. They do not usuallly need the ISBN.

My local bookshop can get books usually the day after I order it from them. They ring me when it has arrived: easy peasy. It may cost a pound or two more to do it that way, but it is much more convenient and you support your local bookshop.

 

[PaulB]

The very worst thing I can imagine occurred to me in the lead up to one Christmas about ten years ago. I was in that London interviewing with a colleague over from California and at the end of our day, he asked me to take him shopping....on Oxford Street! I tried every conceivable way to get out of it but he wouldn't wear it and he placed a kind of 'honour' thing on me practically forcing me to show him the etiquette of shopping in this country. It was marginally less hideous than I imagined it would be but it was still like trying to move against a tsunami and it was pot luck which shop you actually ended up in.

 

[Pale Rider]

I used to like Christmas shopping in London just to look at the lights and the window displays of the big stores.

Parts of Oxford Street are a bit 'trade', but there's usually a nice tingly Christmas atmosphere in Regent Street.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Those who have somebody close to buy a Christmas present for are very lucky people indeed.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Around about October I ask hubby to make a list of several things he would like as a gift, but which he will not buy for himself before Christmas. I do the same for him.
There's usually 5 or 6 items, so there is plenty to choose from. That way we we get a surprise and it's something we want.
I am very easy to please anyway and love getting vouchers for M&S etc, as I get more after Christmas when the sales start!
Of course I also buy little extras and I do most of my shopping online so it's relatively stress free.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Those who have somebody close to buy a Christmas present for are very lucky people indeed.

Uhhh, be positive: aren't you buying yourself the most expensive present on your list?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The fights have already started at our local Tesco superstore.

I'll stick to Waitrose, Amazon Lockers and John Lewis and everything else was ordered online weeks ago.

 

[slowmotion]

Ha ha. I went to Westfield (I was on the hunt for dodgy blokes exiting off-licences, Martin ) a couple of Saturdays ago...and I exited after being overwhelmed by the giganticism...with one book, from Foyles...That place must be like some sort of people-masher when the Seasonal spending ramps up - shall we go for a pint round the corner?!

Westfield is a vision of Hell at any time of the year. I'm staying close to my keyboard. I might put on that Slade single as a token Yuletide concession.

 

[gbb]

I dread it too, but inspiration usually saves me at the last moment...last night I was scratching my head with a sense of alar. She'd shown interest lately in anew docking station for her ipod and music gear, but then shied away, because of the incompatability of different systems etc. I researched it a bit more...and today, less than 24 hours later, ive got her a wireless speaker system, connects to all sorts of devices, moveable between rooms...perfect.
Anything she likes, music, handicraft, gadgetry, anything...think of a variation relating to it.

 

[roadrash]

Now Mrs Gti says she wants some books off her Amazon wishlist though I mustn't buy them from Amazon (after THAT documentary) and some extravagantly expensive night repair cream for her face.


how something like this got me into trouble.....let me explain, in asda at the weekend i was picking up a case of stella , put that back said the wife its expensive. later on she picks up some expensive face cream , put that back says i its expensive, but it makes me look lovely she said to which i replied .......so does the stella , and its bloody cheaper.( i believe the bruises will soon subside)

 

[Maverick Goose]

When in doubt about a Christmas present, I get baking: we all love home baked cookies or homemade chocolates

Second that-also things like homemade sloe gin and chiutney. I've given lots of my photos as christmas presents as well. One of my sisters has a birthday on december the 18th, and the other one on the 26th but it's all pretty survivable really. Be calm kemo sabe!
Oh yes, if yowse fed oop with that Sloide song have a listen to Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis by Tom Waits Good luck

 

[BigonaBianchi]

It's easy to succumb to the money men's expectations for their wallets, but at the end of the day we are in control of things. If we don't want the stress, then let's just do Christmas differently, it doesn't have to be a greedfest.

 

[MarkF]

I tried online shopping last Xmas and it was far more stressful than "real life" shopping, dealing with reluctant, stressed out and poorly paid couriers is not my idea of festive fun, never again. I don't know why I did it as I don't have a problem anyway, tomorrow is my shopping day, train to Leeds at 9 and by early afternoon I'll be sorted. Kids, wife, mother, in laws & sister.

People think too much and get all in a tizz, that's why I end with a microwave leakage detector (or another torch) when I just want socks and undies. I ask for the latter every year and get "No really, what do you want"?

 

[400bhp]

I am lucky as we are both cyclists

Fella-you didn't need to say any more than that.

 

[400bhp]

hate browsing for stuff in proper shops. It's the dullest thing on earth.

Trafford centre and the like - vacuous orrible places

Half of my problem is I think too much. Go in car, follow half of the regions population to the same place, then shop, eat at some chained restaraunt and buy tat you don't really need. Conspicuous lifestyle. Just horrible.