I try to purchase gifts that are ethically responsible for Christmas. I tend to purchase gifts that fall into one of the following categories: an experience (for example, tickets to a concert or hockey game), locally made (crafts), supportive of a charity (for example a stuffed animal in support of the local children's health foundation) or fair trade (I head to my local Ten Thousand Villages store).

I've been personally boycotting Walmart for all sorts of reasons for so long I'm not sure when I began. Ten Thousand Villages is my No.1 shop too.

I feel the same way about Walmart Mike - I refuse to set foot in the place.

I haven't been to Walmart in over 2 years. Sorry to say, it's not necessarily because of their ethics, although I wish that was the reason for my decision. I'd like to say it was because I was being ethically responsible, but in truth it's more because it'stoo far from where we live,  and I don't drive so I am too lazy to go all the way there on the bus, pay for transit two zones, and try to carry stuff home. The last time we went there, some household items we needed were majorly cheaper than anywhere else and we have a tight budget. So it is very tempting. So, maybe it's good that it's not close to where I live because I hate what they do. I suppose that I haven't even attempted to go back is a good sign, because I am conscious of how bad Walmart is--and not having a car limits where we shop. I just wonder, if I did have a car would I be more tempted o go there? Maybe. But I would think twice.

I haven't really done any shopping for anything other than groceries and toiletries lately. I sometimes buy second hand things--my mom, over the past few years, did a great job of helping us find second hand stuff we need, also. She likes to do it.

I like Ten Thousand Villages. There was one in my neighbourhood that shut down. It didn't get enough business, so went out of business last year. There is still another one in a neighbouring neighbourhood. I find it out of my price league, except for really the small items. There was some furniture in there that I was gaga over, but there's no way we could buy it. It's fun to look though

We're not buying anything. Other thanI might buy some craft supplies to make a few gifts and cards. Which means I miught buy the supplies from Michaels because it's the only one I know around...but are they like the Walmart of craft supplies?

Most people on my list are getting baskets of home-made preserves, home-baked goodies and hand-knit (by me) dishcloths.  The main reasons for this being 1) almost no one gave me want lists for gifts. 2) I went bonkers with the canning this past summer so I have more canned stuff than I need and thus plenty to give away. 3) I loath christmas shopping. Actually I loath shopping period  -  I am one of those people who goes in with a list and a plan to get the items on the list and get back out again in the shortest time possible, but it's way worse when everyone and their dog is in the mall at the same time I am.

Rowan - that sounds like such a wonderful gift! Homemade gifts always give me a thrill - for me the effort and care put into making something like that make the gift worth far more than anything that could be bought in a store. 

I feel the same way about shopping as you Rowan - I go with a purpose and get out as quickly as possible! There are very few exceptions to that rule - one exception being Ten Thousand Villages. I could drool over their items for hours - even if much of it is out of my price range.

This year I have narrowed my holiday shopping list down to three people: my mother, my wife, and my youngest stepson. I'm not really sure about where I'll be shopping. My mom wants a pair of simple silver earrings. I might get those at Winners at the local mall. I always find shopping for my wife difficult, and she has a tendancy to re-gift things I give her anyway. I pick out something special for her, but when she thinks someone needs it more, she just gives it away. For my son who's coming home from college, I should probably give him something automobile related, since he's studying auto mechanics right now. I don't really know where to buy something like that. I try to buy things I think the giftee will like. Where it comes from, or what it's made of, or who made it are things of greatly less importance to me. I tell myself each year things like I'll make all the gifts, or else I'll buy them all at church craft sales, etc., but I never do.

I'm trying to think of something that I'll be buying!  My partner gets a gift when he mentions something he wants and needs but doesn't have the cash for.  Sometimes this happens around the time of the Holiday of Light and Love, sometimes at some other point of the year.  My adult kids have more 'stuff' and cash than is necessary already.  I write cheques for the grands so they can practise decision making.

One of my adult kids told me that I'm boring because I don't use shopping as a hobby.  I have absolutely no interest in wandering around stores looking at endless rows of things I neither need nor want.  For me shopping means grabbing the list and getting what is on it, preferably quickly.