Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Yay or Nay: Holiday Shopping Before Thanksgiving?
partner
The other day I posed
(what I thought was) an important question to my Canadian
boyfriend: When do Canadians start decorating and shopping for the
holidays if they don't have Thanksgiving as a benchmark?
(Quick historical background: Canadians do have
Thanksgiving, but it's in October for some reason, far too
early to serve as a threshold for the holiday season.)
His answer was woefully unsatisfying (it amounted to a confused
head shake and a doubtful "December first?"), but I guess
that's not entirely his fault. Even here in the good ol' US
of A we've thrown that whole "holiday decorations up after
Thanksgiving" tradition out the window. These days there are
wreaths on doors by early November and stores are already chock
full of
cool gift sets like these.
What do you think, are we jumping the gun on the holiday season
or do you welcome the ever-earlier return of decorations, carols
and gingerbread smells wafting in the air?
Either way, it's almost Thanksgiving and the
"official" start of the holiday season, so get in gear
with
this ultimate guide to a perfect holiday season -- from
what to buy,
what to wear and
how to keep holiday stress to an absolute minimum. Happy
(almost) Holidays!
Related: thanksgiving, shopping, holiday shopping, holiday, christmas shopping, christmas
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Posted by Katie B Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:42pm PST
It really depends on my money situation... when I was in college and money was tight, yes I tried to get at least some of done before Thanksgiving... However, I try to only think about Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving now that money isn't as tight.
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Posted by sugar fiend Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:42pm PST
I wish I had already started my shopping, but yeah, Thanksgiving usually kicks it off for me.
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Posted by shaken00 Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:56pm PST
I'm almost done.I just have to pick up a few more things and then get some cards, wrapping paper, tape ribbon, etc.
I start in October, so I can spread the cost out and look for good deals. In the past when I have waited til the last minute, I have had a problem finding gifts I know people will like in the price range I am looking to spend.
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Posted by shaken00 Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:57pm PST
I don't decorate until after Christmas though. I think Xmas decorations look tacky before Thanksgiving.
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Posted by Kate F Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:26pm PST
I think that shopping can start before Thanksgiving so your not leaving it all for December and rushing. But in my family we always get our tree the 1st weekend in December and take it down after New Years.
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Posted by Mags Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:34pm PST
I am a college student (originally taking the year off from school, but I will be going back to school in January). I started back around Halloween. I don't have enough time to run around and I hate waiting in lines, as a result i'm already halfway done. Mostly it's about money and time. I did the same thing with my shopping last year.
Decorations on the other hand, wait until after Thanksgiving (if I don't have anything to do, they're usually up before December 1st). I might be moving into an apartment before Christmas (so I can get used to being on my own again before school starts) so my decorations might have to wait. In my family, i'm the first one with Christmas decorations out.
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Posted by Post-Modern Jen Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:39am PST
I've definitely started shopping for gifts before Thanksgiving, BUT I try really hard not to buy any Holiday items, i.e. candy, decor, etc. until AFTER Thanksgiving. We always try to put up our decorations by Thanksgiving weekend. The holidays are so fun for us, I like to celebrate them as long as possible.
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Posted by None Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:48am PST
Well I am shopping cuz I got a good coupon! Getting some sexy boots and outfits!
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Posted by Writers_block Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:50am PST
Almost all of my shopping is finished, but the decorations don't go up until after Thanksgiving.
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Posted by Mauna Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:35am PST
I say, if you have the funds, and you see something that would be beneficial (as a gift) buy it! Because product lines always change in a heartbeat! I think shopping at the last minute piles on a lot of pressure which leads a person to make bad choices in gifts. IMO, shopping early or planning ahead for the Holidays is a wise thing to do. This will not only save on stress levels, but also on time and perhaps expenses as well. (even though we all know about the rampid Sales that the stores have and how everyone rushes in to get items which have great sale prices on them).
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