The only thing done is buying Christmas cards and that is because my mom's birthday is this month.
My Christmas shopping for gifts starts with my younger brother with it being likely sometime next week. I still need a Christmas list from mom. My dad does not make out Christmas lists at all, but yet expects to receive more than one Christmas present. What my dad does is he tells us a gift he wants My mom, My younger brother, and I sharing the cost of the gift.
At this point, I do have an answer for my dad, but it depends on when dad mentions the item he wants us to give him. I have a budget for what I spend. All I am willing to say is I know places he goes to and buys stuff at.