Phew! The holiday shopping is behind us! We've heard many women talking about gift giving this year. The news has been abound with stories about how shoppers came out in force this season and spent more than was expected.
So, we were curious. Did you spend more or less than you expected to this year? Tell us your thoughts. We want to hear!
Yes- I spent much more than I expected (17.1%)
Yes- I spent more but, not much more than expected (28.2%)
No- I spent about what I expected (40.0%)
No- I spent less than I expected (14.5%)
I have a formula for buying gifts throughout the year so I'm not overwhelmed at Holiday time.
The economy has been bad all around. Our entire extended family has been affected in some manner, which made cutting back easy - knowing everyone else was too.
I usually bargain hunt all year long for extended family, and then our kids are quite young so they don't really care as long as they get a few toys. The person I splurge on every year is my husband, and even for that I shopped carefully to get good deals - a cordless drill and a dvd player, both great deals.
Could never shop just right before the holiday and have enough gifts and spend the right amount. Shop all year long and put them away for future use.
I agree the only way to go is to shop all year. Then you don't have such a huge strain on the checkbook in December.
I did okay for Christmas, but it was the after Christmas sales that got me!
We shop right around holiday time and fast: our favorite store is TJ Maxx- you'll find everything for everybody and all in one store!!! Great!!!
my husbands b-day is in jan and 13 yro in march so i can get great barging from the after christmas sells too.loved all the coupond this year from retailers.
Our family usually doesn't buy alot at Christmas. It's all about getting together and celebrating.
I've already started on next years gifts. I shop all year and it really helps. It means not having to put that big outlay of cash or go in debt just before the holidays.