Our Christmas shopping habits have totally altered as we have grown older.
Years ago, my best friends and I used to watch out for the Woolies half price toy sale...normally in the middle of July.
We used to go mad and buy for the kids, money was tight then so hopefully something on their list was in the sale. They always got a couple of surprises.
Even the food shop was more thought out.
I used to pay into a Xmas savings club at the butchers. Covered all the extra cost of the meat etc.
Used to squirrel extra food goodies away weekly as well from September onwards, made life so much easier.
Even though everything was all wrapped and ready to go under the tree, my sisters and I used to go to the Xmas Eve market and buy little extras...mad beggars, it was always freezing cold and yo coud not move for like minded folk
Nowadays, kids tell us what they would like, then we try and get them a little surprise.
Boring but simple.