I used to start "official" shopping in October, but I would pick up stuff throughout the year of something caught my eye for a specific person and save it for Christmas, so usually the Xmas shopping wasn't too stressful. I always did end up back in the mall three days before Christmas to get something, not even necessarily a gift, so I kind of feel it wouldn't be "the Holidays" if I didn't spend a few hours in my car at least once just trying to get OUT of the parking lot with all the traffic.

I hate to say this but I think I'm not doing any Christmas shopping at all this year. What with everyone being "too busy" all freaking year to even contact me, and I got zero christmas or birthday presents last year, it doesn't seem worth the energy. Shopping used to be a joy because it was all about the giving, not the receiving, as long as I had some quality time with people around the season. This year I'm disillusioned and I don't think I even care.