Quote Originally Posted by shootingstar View Post
I shop early. Sometimes I forget where I hid certain presents.

Meaning I shop throughout the year. It's so handy to buy something, then you question yourself: do I need this? And instead the question becomes: Who would like this as a gift?
I do this too. I'll buy a couple of those ginormous gift bags when they go on sale after Christmas then, when I find something (or make something) throughout the year I think would make a great gift, I'll put a post-it note on it and put it in the bag. I save the wrapping until just before Christmas...pop in a Christmas movie and wrap things up.

I also set aside a bag that will be strictly for items found that will go to charity. Friends of mine and I began doing that several years ago in lieu of doing "Secret Santas" at work and we've continued the tradition since then.

I try not to cram everything in before 12/25. Since Christmas is 12 days, I reserve 12/25 for my immediate family then schedule get togethers with friends in the days leading up to "Little Christmas" 1/6. It's taken the stress off of all of us.