Thursday 24 November 2011

Early Christmas Shopping

With about a month left until Christmas most people begin to start shopping (and panicking) right about now if not later. Me? I started shopping back in October. Thanks to the glory of being able to order things online I can just buy and forget, receiving a package in the mail a few weeks later.

Makes me wonder why more people don't do this.

For my girlfriend I've got things still on their way. There are rumors that Problem Sleuth Volume 3 and Homestuck Volume 1 are coming out near the end of the month so I'm hoping to order both for my sister. Anyone else read the Inheritance series? The 4th book came out so I grabbed that for my Mom and my brother wants computer parts so I'll get those whenever.

For a lot of friends it's as easy as going onto Steam during a Steam sale and buying things to gift to them later. No seriously, I just bought Portal 1 and 2 for less than $12 yesterday and I'm just waiting for other games to go on sale for other friends. I also bought a ton of Minecraft giftcodes to give away just before the game came out of Beta.

That was easy.

But there are two people I'm having trouble thinking of gifts for. My Dad and my cousin. Mom should be on this list too but I lucked out this year with the book. Dad is hard to buy for because I sadly don't know my Dad that well. We're both usually busy, we don't have a lot in common, etc. etc..

I know he likes chocolates and I've heard that some of the best places to get chocolates are from online stores. Unfortunately, I have no idea where that particular issue of Consumer Reports has disappeared to so I'll keep hunting.

The cousin is also someone I don't really talk to as much. I guess I could just get him a random PS3 game or One Piece related (are there any One Piece games for the PS3?). I already have something in mind for his brother so that makes me look bad if I don't get both of them gifts.

Why couldn't he have a Steam account instead of a PS3...

But I still have one month left so I'm not panicking too hard. This blog is actually helping to pay for some of the gifts so I'm grateful for that. Never thought I could ever successfully make money off what is largely considered online leisure activity.

Never been more glad to be wrong.

69 comments:

  1. wow. you're so generous. I wish the people around are panicking too. haha!

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  2. Almost similar to my post. Merry Christmas! :D

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  3. Hah, I just hermit out the winter months. Nobody expects to see me during the cold weather, so I get off having to buy gifts.

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  4. Always nice to get all the Christmas stuff taken care of long before the rushing starts, it's so much easier to enjoy the holidays when there's as little stress as possible.

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  5. Getting your shopping done so early sounds wonderful. Sadly, I lack such foresight, and I don't learn from past experiences.

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  6. I actually made a list on what to buy and for who but I haven't bought anything yet because all my money went to videogames.

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  7. yeah isn't it nice to make a few bucks off of just ranting online..haha...my shopping is almost done too.

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  8. I forgot it's almost that part of the year. :/

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  9. Yeah, I wonder how they're going to pull the Homestuck book off, with all the flashes and music and stuff.
    How did they even do that for the PS gif animations?

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  10. I laughed at the easy button for some reason. My dad is also hard to buy for because if he wants something, he just goes and gets it. Hopefully you'll find gifts for your giftless.

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  11. I still haven't bought anything from Steam yet, I'm patient I shall await the winter sale, it's not like my parents and friends expects any presents anyway.

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  12. Man, you're pure genius shopping in October. I wish I'd thought of that, I really do. Christmas shopping sucks, honestly I'm dreading it so much.

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  13. LOL! I'm not that close with my dad neither. Ah well...I don't thikn chocolate would taste so good after buying them online but hey, what do I know? Good luck shopping!

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  14. lol I don't get that much money from my blog, I was able to get a present for my dad, that's it. I have some money coming in a few days though, I may be able to luck out and buy something for my mum. But you're right, people just need to buy presents early. I know there is a One Piece game on the Wii but I'm not sure about the PS3.

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  15. Portal 1 and 2 for less than $12 Nice, I want that. too bad I have a crappy internet connection :(

    Buying gifts for people is always hard, so, good luck!


    I' have started to blog again so if you could check mine out that would be great! - im starting to cover e-monetizing :)

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  16. Good to hear you're ahead of the pack for Christmas, I'm still dealing with the SWMBO's birthday on Sunday!

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  17. What is this 'Steam' thing of which you speak? Must investigate. You make money off blogging? Tell me your secrets. Now! lol

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  18. Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck shopping.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  19. Sincerely still I dont make nothing for Christmas only I hope the next recipe may be about something fore christmas, I know many people is so organized, but Im not in the Christmas sprit still, here finish the school year too..But Im sure after advent the sprit will come:)


    Crumbles are so easy aand you can make at microwaves too (lol)

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  20. Long live online shopping. :) That's how I do it too.

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  21. Thats awsem that this blog is working well for you. As for your cousin, there is a one piece game coming to the ps3 soon, not sure when.

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  22. So has google ads actually paid you yet? I don't know a single person who's actually gotten paid. Everyone I know who's tried this (including us) gets their account suspended and terminate for life, without explanation, right before first pay out. You can look it up. It's a huge controversy. Happened to us too.

    Also, good idea on the holiday shopping. I've already bought about 80% of my gifts, and the rest are just being ordered online as well. Forget this 'wake up at 3 in the morning, and fist fight the guy next to you to save 50% on some crap you don't need Black Friday.'

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  23. i realy don't care about shopping for x-mas
    most part of time, i've already have some present prepare 2 month ago :D

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  24. If you only have two people to worry about for Christmas presents as of this date, you’re doing well. I also do a great deal of Christmas shopping on-line – lots of people will be getting books from me this year!

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  25. you seem to have everything planned out quite well which is great.
    i'll have to worry about shopping next month.
    ;p

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  26. After I get paid soon, I'm going to get everyone's done early. Put up the tree, and boom! Less than 30 something days of easy Christmas enjoyment

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  27. Nah I don't think food counts, especially if its like a coffee or something. unless its in a mall. i tried to check out that site on that pic and it was laggy as fuck so i was like fuck that noise. im still gonna try to not spend any money today though.

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  28. Parents always present the problem that they probably already bought whatever they needed/wanted. Perhaps a stroll through an antique or consignment shop will uncover something unique and amusing.

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  29. I love steam its really useful its just so annoying that the stubborn people that run the thing have strict rules for updates saying they HAVE to go through steam servers so all the new EA games like Need for speed the run and battlefield 3 all go through some Ea mock up of steam called origin which sucks!!!

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  30. This is why I'm glad I don't buy gifts for people!

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  31. If only my gf played videogames. Steam sounds like a great way to X-mas shop on the cheap.

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  32. You can always make homemade gifts for save some money.

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  33. I'm the worst for shopping at the last minute. I should catch on to your ways...

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  34. Online sure is the way to beat crowds.

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  35. One year, I actually got a "That Was Easy" button.
    I enjoyed it.
    I guess that means I'm easy.

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  36. Online shopping early is smart. I HATE busy malls so I think I'm probably going to go that route as well. Though my budget is itsy bitsy. I wish my macaroni art could pass as acceptable gifts, but alas, my family expects a tiny bit more from me. Ugh.

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  37. Get your dad to play minecraft

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  38. I am quite jealous that you've finished most of your shopping. At least my dad said he needed a new wallet...now on to figure out the rest~

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  39. i wish you luck in buying all the gifts that you need :)

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  40. i wish my blog could make enough money for xmas gifts! what's your secret?

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  41. Wish I had money to spend.

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  42. You are making me worried now. The end of the year here is pretty much a gigantic summer festive season which involves excessive spending, NOT friendly with my impoverished uni student status. And i don't know what is the thing with buying presents for fathers; i always give up and buy him chocolate haha


    WEMAKEPLANS

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  43. it would be a heck of a lot easier than going to the mall. We make a lot of presents for people.

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  44. Tell you what kiddo- if you're still having trouble with your dad, just let me know. Perhaps I can whip up a LP piece just for him. You just have to let me know who he likes and what colors.

    I was hoping to have the new website up by now, but it's been delayed- go figure.

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  45. I did most of my christmas shopping today...

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  46. I'm looking for some promotions on Steam.

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  47. That’s a nice color on your blog and of course your post is good too

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  48. Nice to take care of it early so you don't have to deal with this stuff in the last minute.

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  49. Hey Derp! It's my first time in this neck of the woods. Thought I would see who this stranger was that commented on my blog the other day!

    Hmm. Yes, Dad's are always tough to shop for, I find. Calendar? One of those hats you can stick a beer in? No wait, I got it!! Dancing Hula Girl!! (Dad's love those!)

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  50. I think I'm gonna stick to food this year... Maybe some chocolates or something.

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  51. Fels good not to celebrate Christmas. :)

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  52. Thanks I,m buy :)

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  53. I'm glad I don't celebrate Christmas anymore.

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  54. Always nice to get gifts early and have it done with. This year I am only getting gifts for my kids, because I am broke. :( Glad all is going good with your blog. Keep it up.

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  55. Well congrats. I'm actually in the same boat, just got 3 gifts left to get, and I know what one of them is. I LOVE getting it done early.

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  56. Homestuck Volume One...?

    Also. Guh. The one thing I am jealous of the 18+ population for, above all others, is the right to order from the internet.

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  57. I hate Christmas. Mrs Cranface constantly trolls me. I ask her what she wants for Christmas. She tells me I should have paid attention throughout the year when she pointed at things she likes.

    That is SO unreasonable!

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  58. heh because my bday is two days away from xmas i dont partake in this holiday. its basically my bday party week

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  59. I'm nearly done Christmas shopping, it's a nice feeling :)

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  60. Yea, blogging also helps me to buy gifts for my loved ones. It's quite profitable activity actually :P

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  61. Yea, blogging also helps me to buy gifts for my loved ones. It's quite profitable activity actually :P

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  62. Buying stuff you don't need, with money you don't have, for people who don't care. Gotta love Christmas.

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  63. same here my friend

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  64. Blog mad cash is fun! I hope no one reads this blog so they know what they are getting?

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