Anyone else Christmas shopping this weekend?

I'm dreading it. I have to take my one year old son with me too! I'm not sure how I'll maneouvre the buggy through the crowds!





We have't been able to do any proper Christmas shopping yet as we're on a low wage and we've had to wait for my partner to get his December wage packet before we could start - he gets paid on the 21st and we're planning to do our Christmas shopping on the weekend.





I know its going to a be nightmare, I guess this is one of the prices you pay for not having much money and not having credit cards! I know roughly what I want to get people but I expect the shops will be packed out, long queues everywhere and everything sold out!





Any tips on how to get through it?

Anyone else Christmas shopping this weekend?
Yes, I will be fighting the crowds too!
Reply:Go early or late, if you can. I had to run up to a major mall Sunday evening, and I was dreading it. Much to my surprise, I was able to park close, run in to the store I needed, and was in and out in 10 minutes!
Reply:i waht sopping all this week me





5 prisents onely left to go





my frind has 20 to bye
Reply:Get plenty of sleep the night before and start out very early when the stores are opening. Make a list with sizes and a idea of what you would like to get each person so you won't be walking all over getting tired. I have to wait till close to Christmas for the same reason to go shopping. Merry Christmas.
Reply:ugggghh!


yes!
Reply:Get a babysitter and leave the child at home. Its no place for kids and it will just stress you out. And why don't you not buy presents for everyone. People will understand that you can't afford to buy things and thats not what christmas is about. Why don't yyou make your cards and pressies? For example, you can quite easily make posh biscuits and jams and wrap them up nicely to give away. My family were never rich, but people always said mum gave the best pressies as the were home made.
Reply:did all mine on line god it was hard work wearing me fingers out sitting here in the warmth . honestly good luck hope you have a really good christmas i remember when my kids were little but its all worth it as the children never forget and its that what makes it all worth while
Reply:Why do people get into this mess every year?





Don't take your son whatever you do, if you can't get a friend or relative to babysit then you really don't have a lot of gifts to get. Only get what you can afford. Go to a 24 hour supermarket like Tesco or Asda, they have a reasonable range, but go at night when its quiet(er.)





Remember, its not about the money, ignore the propaganda. Get something meaningful, or even make something. So long as you put some time into it that's all that matters.





Spend the next 12 months buying presents for next Christmas and spread the cost. Nothing with a short shelf life though.
Reply:Firstly I would arrive early, around quarter to nine, so you can find a parking space. Make a list of what you want. Places like Argos and Game etc get busy quickly so go there first. Then do the rest but stop for a coffee and relax.


Any presents left to get go to Asda, Tesco or Sainsburys. They have got some lovely gifts and they are open 24 hours in alot of places. Go late at night to avoid the queues.
Reply:well get up early get ready and go to the stores when they first open.
Reply:ooooh your going shopping this weekend, my mam is finishing some of hers this weekend and i cannot even think what its going to be like, mine is all done and wrapped, thank god, i feel awful just thinking about it, can you not get someone to babysit for you? if not just use the buggy to ram people outta the way!!! lol, good luck, im going christmas food shopping on friday and dredding that because the ques are half way round the supermarket (nightmare) :( good luck and merry christmas
Reply:avoid going to meijer and try to get to walmart, its like real traffic in there but the priices are so low.
Reply:have breaks every 2 hours and good luck the shops might be a tad quiter they were last week end happy x mas
Reply:no all done. do it on the after christmas sales the year befor except some stuff. Strat in march or when tou get extra $
Reply:Do as much planning ahead of time as you can. Plan on shopping at the store as soon as it opens. Make sure you have your child prepared for the shopping trip (diaper changed and properly fed). Bring only what you need for your child for the trip. You have said "we're" planning on doing the shopping so have one of you "entertain" your child in the mall courtyard area while the other one does the shopping. When you are done shopping one store "trade" baby responsibilites back and forth until you are done.


Have your shopping list complete with who your buying for - and what your buying before you get to the store. While you have to wait to purchase your products - you could go into the stores your planning on shopping at and get an idea of where you will be purchasing products from to make yourself more efficient. Good luck.
Reply:Don't do it. It sounds like you don't enjoy it and you say you can't afford it so just don't feel pressured into it. its your choice.
Reply:i got some stuff but it was only extras i got the main presents a month ago
Reply:I have been told this past weekend was suppose to be the most crowded at the stores and malls. But, this is the Christmas holiday they are going to be that way until Christmas is over. Best bet is to go very early.....Wal-mart is open 24 hrs so you could go like 5 or 6am if you want. There will NOT be hardly anybody in the stores then....I am sure other stores may open early. Set your alarm. Good Luck!!!
Reply:Going Christmas shopping on the final weekend before the day would be a nightmare indeed ... I'm hoping myself to just concentrate on wrapping stuff this week and not step foot near a mall.





To make your situation more bearable, I would recommend that you make a concious effort to get to your shopping as early as possible on both Saturday and Sunday ... retailers should be open at 9:00 or 10:00 am, but the thick crowds don't usually happen until early afternoon.
Reply:I feel for you. I did some shopping with my kids a couple of weeks ago and it was a nightmare - the usual "I need a toilet", "I'm hungry", "Can I have that", "I'm tired" etc every 2mins!





I went shopping the weekend just gone and my brother-in-law's girlfriend looked after the kids for me at their house. It was such a blessing I was able to get so much done and much quicker than having the kids for me.





If there was anyway you could do it without your son I am sure you would but please just be careful. There are so many rude people out there rushing and pushing and shoving and they don't care if you have a pushchair or are disabled or anything. Just be careful and try to take your time if you can and keep healthy snacks and drinks in the pushchair for your son (and you)





All the best
Reply:I did all of mine online!!!! three weeks ago!
Reply:use the buggy as some sort of "crowd-plough"





i would
Reply:Got it all done now thankfully and all wrapped too bliss bring on Christmas Day
Reply:We all struggle with christmas shopping...deal with it!