I do both, but mainly I go buy lists!!!!!

I do watever I see

I get a general idea of what they want and go off of that.

Both.
But I do try and make lists, but I pick stuff up along the way.

Same here... I go in with a general idea but if I see a must have... well, i must have it! I've done good this year... at least one of my boys is almost done!

i usually have a list but last year when WM revealed their "secret 10 items" or whatever it was, i added a few things to my list from that. I bought the robe they had since i was going ot have a baby and used it in the hospital. it was so nice!

List on bf - otherwise I'll get overwhelmed and forget, but the rest of the year I just pick up whatever it is I find on sale that looks like it would be appreciated.

So both.

I keep a list. I have a notebook where I write down everyone's name that I buy for and a list of ideas for them. Once I buy something I highlight it so I know/remember that I've bought it.
I'm also a major impulse shopper though, so I'm constantly adding to that list after I go shopping :D

Both for me too. I always have a list with who to buy what for and I always pick up extra goodies.

The logical side starts with the list. Then the impulse shopper steps in and takes over and I'm done. I start to buy things I don't need just because they are on sale or others are buzzing around the item.

I get a general idea of what they want and go off of that.

Same here. :yup:

List for big items and most of my family, impulse for stockings birthday parties and charities

I have a list of things that my dh, ds and dd want and then I just have a list of people and shop for them. Once I have the gift for that specific person I cross them off. But I dont have certain items on the list I just get an idea of what they want and go from there.

both....they tell me a few items they want and I get adn then add my finds with it

I make up a general list of what I want for each person, but I mainly just keep an eye out for a really good deal and will get it if it falls in the same category.

:gdyeahthat:

List and idea. The best gifts have been those impulse buys I just happen to find. But I make a list for the big ticket items. I already have DD's kitchen bought put together and in the closet, too good of a deal to pass up.

I have a never ending list. By the time I'm done it's doubled in size :)

I shop mostly with a list but if I come across something that I know a certain person would enjoy then I will get it.

I try with a list, but if something pops out at me, I go for it.

I have a list, but that doesn't stop me from impulse buying!!

I have a list. BUT, for my kids I do pick things up when I see something I know they'll like. That's where I get in trouble! LOL!

I like to tell people I have a mental list so I sound smart. :p In reality, I'm so winging it. LOL

I have a list for the major things. But I always keep an eye out for a "perfect" gift. Sometimes it's the gag gifts for my brothers or something special for the stockings....

Both, I start out with a list and then pick up things I see along the way.

Both, I start out with a list and then pick up things I see along the way.

same here

I'd have to say half and half.

Both, I make my list, but I also tend to pick up stuff as I am shopping.

I do both. I have a list for the must gets, then I pick up anything I think is a great deal :surfing: :D

I usually buy what I see that I think they will like. I do have the kids go through the TRU big book and circle what they like. I try to buy a few things off of that. I shop for them all year though. Love clearance at Target!

I start with a list, just so I don't forget to buy something for somebody, and I'm terrible at forgetting what I've already bought. So I start with a few ideas and then go from there. The most important thing for me is to remember to write down what I bought after I bought it, so I don't go too far overboard with any one person.

i go by a list but if i see something i like i will get it too :D

I use lists for the most part and then alil impulse shopping !

i go by a list but if i see something i like i will get it too :D

Same here :D

I just go crazy on BF and any other sales, then I make a list afterwards. Anything left over I get to keep!

Both, but mostly I shop by list.
I am a chronic list maker, by the time I've done all my shopping I will have revsied each persons list 10 times.

I take a list, but when I see something I want I grabbed it as well.

I make a list of who i have to buy for and put some ideas down for each person. I update it as i go along and put down what i've bought for who. I keep it all in my PDA and keep it password protected so no peeking! :smirk:

I shop 12/26 for the next Christmas. I keep a list of birthdates and names for Christmas gifts in a little notebook in my purse. As I buy I write the gift down in pen. If I have an idea to look for I write it in pencil then change it to pen when it is purchased.

i shop so much during the year, that my list is just names of people I need to remember. I try to have a master list on my computer, and a file folder with receipts hidden in my home of what I have bought. I am so close to being done this year!!!

Both, but mostly I shop by list.
I am a chronic list maker, by the time I've done all my shopping I will have revsied each persons list 10 times.

I'm the same way. I have a notebook where I write down what I plan on getting everyone and check it off when I have bought it. Of course, I revise that list all the time, lol. Especially the kids. Of course, if I happen upon a great gift for someone at a great price, I get that too.

Dh is more of an impulse shopper than I am, lol. Last year on bf we went to wal mart. I had about only 4 items I was after, dh was the one filling up the cart, lol. And he complains that I shop too much, lol. He is worse than me sometimes.

Elena

Usually I shop from a list because there are certain 'must have' items that I know will make them really happy. But then I impulse buy stuff for stockings and small extras. :)

I have my list every year but keep adding my "deals" that aren't on the list. I put a little star beside the item after I have bought it, then try to check it off after it is wrapped so I won't forget I have bought something!

I never use a list when I go Christmas shopping.

Both from a list and just shop from what I see. My family all gives each other our Chrismas whish lists. I shop from what everybody asks for but I also pick up stuff for people that I think they might like.

i'm alittle of both,..list and general shopping,..i'm an impluse shopper which is so bad at x-mas..haha

I am a list person. Organized,and planning out things all of the time. Then the ads start coming out and BOOM! My DH starts thinking we out to buy a few things...like a new 50"lcd tv, or random gifts for one child,only to play "catch up" on the others. Bouncy Santa hats, or Elvis Presley ornaments, & mountains of candy. Do you ever have buyers remorse after the holidays?

Generally I don't but just to make sure this year I'm asking DH how much I'll be able to spend. We just paid off our mortgage but have a couple other bills to take care of so we still need to watch our spending. Even so, we have a lot of people to think of both here and (mostly) overseas.

And then there's DH's own list...

Usually my only buyers remorse are the items I pick up without a particular person in mind. You know those deals to great to pass up on Target clearance!!!

These end up on the gift shelf unused. Eventually do use some of them when I make charity baskets for raffles but never as the gifts I think they will be when I purchase them.

If I stick to my list and shop smart I don't have these "extras" laying around.

i do,..especially when i realized how much i spend...then i say every year im gonna get my mind right and not spend to much,..oh well the kids are young and they're only young once..

I do both. Star out with the list and if I see something that I think would be absolutely perfect for someone, I'll buy it!!!!

I do a little of both....as we get further into the season, I add to my list and then I get very focused on only getting what's on my list....

I do both, I usually try to get what is on the list. There are just some people who we buy for are so difficult.

I go with a list.