I mean, January 7th (Orthodox Christmas) is still a ways away. Most of the stores are clearing out their merchandise now-so do you guys wait?
Are you talking about stores not having big sales or something? I would think anyone who celebrates on a different day would shop whenever they get a chance just like everyone else does. I wasn’t aware that there was a specific time for Christmas shopping (aside from Black Friday shopping). I either buy things when I see them if it’s the perfect gift or think “Oh shit, Christmas is coming up” and go pick stuff out on the weekend. Why would it be different for Orthodox Christians?
Because if you move fast, you can catch all the after-Western-Christmas sales and still make it in time for Orthodox Christmas. A Serbian Orthodox friend of mine says she often does exactly that (at least if the gift she has in mind is the kind of thing that goes on sale after Dec. 25th).
I don’t know about shopping, but…
When my mom was young, there was an orthodox family that lived just up the hill from them. After (Roman) Christmas, Mom’s family would take their Christmas tree to them, and it’d serve double duty.
That sounds like a good plan.
ETA: I was responding to Eva Luna**** but I like what Chronos****’ mom’s family did too.