When do you get started then?

[spacedog]

On your shopping and preparing?
I have a few presents bought for children in the family already, makes it feel less stressy / expensive nearer the time and I can then enjoy the atmosphere and build up. It's getting harder to buy early for DCs as they will change their minds if I ask them now. But nearer the time you run the risk of popular toys being sold out. Luckily we seem to have skipped / not been interested in most fads including Buzz Lightyear, DS and the blooming hamsters.
No doubt Xmas adverts will be starting (have started??) soon and the interest brainwashing will start.

[comewhinewithme]

I have made a list but haven't yet checked it twice .

Probably start looking for bargains now and then get really organised beginning of Oct after DS's birthday.

[thisisyesterday]

hmm i try not to do anything too early because otherwise i forget about stuff i have bought, and b ecause i am bored of it all by the time christmas atually gets here

that said, if i see really good offers on things i do get them throughout the year.

i got christmas cards in Jan sales for example.

i've got ds1 buzz lightyear because they had 25% off in sainsburhys which was a good saving on the one he wanted.

other stuff i guess i'll get mid november time unless i see it on offer before then

[darcymum]

I had a friend when I was a child and her family Christmas tree went up 1st September every year. I leave it all a bit later myself.

[electricslide]

I start when the Lakeland gift catalogue arrives on my mat.
Which was yesterday :)

[spacedog]

1st September for the tree going up?? Bonkers. Having said that my rather disorganised neighbour routinely puts his up Xmas eve and last year it came down early July!!

[cherrymonster]

i have started buying bits and pieces that i get for a good bargain, and have started planning what i am going to get but thats as far as it goes for now. i wont start properly buying big presents until the beginning of november probably, just bits and pieces until then, stocking fillers and the like. with 4 dec's though, i do need to start early so its not through choice, i cant afford to buy everything in december

[ben5]

after ds1 birthday which is 28th november. my parents have there christmas present when they come to visit in november( we live in oz). we pay for them to go on a day trip somewhere. mil is sent a card ,as is my brother with money in( my parents take it back with them and deliver).
then only have kids to buy for, we don't go ott and being summer eating a big meal is out of the question so have freash fish, cold meats, salads etc. no real big cooking on the day! aslong as we have sausages in for bar b que on beach we are happy!
christmas lights go up first weekend in december

[Anifrangapani]

Christmas Eve normally

[SacharissaCripslock]

I started in April.

I've never started so early before (if I buy presents I get excited and want to give them straight away) but I've been enjoying making a stash of presents and know I'll be glad I've done it all early come December.

[OhCobblers]

i've compiled my list and have started shopping for the children and stocking fillers for them and DH.

New rule for self, if you see a good deal then buy it there and then, rather than kicking oneself later

also prefer to spread the financial load over a few months.

[nickschic]

The last of our dcs birthdays is in October so xmas prep starts then ......

[CDMforever]

Same for our family nickschic. Although I did have a go at making chutney the other day a la Nigella. Turned out very well in fact.

[StantonHarcourtTheThird]

I start thinking about it when term goes back in september.

big planning starts after half term all finished before school finishes.

[nickschic]

Lol well once the chutneys done- thats xmas started lol.

[cornsilk909]

I have started in my head

[scottishmummy]

all year i hoover up bargains.wrap& store.just in case

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I start in the sales after xmas and carry on through the year. I do try and keep a list of what i've bought and then in October finish the last bits off and start on DH/DS.

I cant wait for M&S to put the bags and xmas paper on the site

[The3Bears]

Started in January

[onimolap]

We have family birthdays in December, so no decorating until after those.

I have a present box which I add things too when I see them, then use for birthdays and Christmas as they happen. Main Christmas shopping season starts at Burghley Horse Trials; cards when the nearby Church hall opens as a charity card shop (late October).

Best organized years were the ones with November deadlines (once due date of DS2, once DH's departure to Afghanistan). I felt very smug for getting it all done so early.

[mrspear]

After October - which features DH and DS birthdays and our wedding anniversary

[BudaisintheZONE]

Usually around now. Have bought a few bits for niece. Start thinking about what to get DS.

We live in Hungary and usually go to my family Ireland for Xmas but are staying here this year as it will be our last year here. Will have to be organised and get anything forDS that I can't get here when we are in UK in October.

I will start flicking through magazines and cookery books soon to plan what to make. Must make chutney! I say will every year but never get round to it.

[EleFunTess]

Buy wrapping paper and cards in the Jan sales (I know that makes me sound super organised, but it's more that I am a skinflint and you can buy good quality John Lewis / M&S etc wrapping paper for 50p a roll in the sales).

Shop for most of the kids stuff online in October.

Post international gifts late Nov.

Buy any other presents, do online food shop and send out cards early Dec.

Put tree up on Dec 13th (family anniversary).

Wrap presents and do baking etc in the week running up to Christmas.

[Tippychoocks]

Now for a few bits - and I'm late this year. I really start getting annoying after DD's birthday in October. Decorations etc go up first weekend in December.

The shopping has to be organised as I am poor, don't drive, am v.rural and over anxious.

[JetLi]

Have to start soon as I will be a fat lass heavily pregnant by December & don't really want to be running around like a blue-arsed fly. If I manage a relaxed Christmas this year it will break the habit of a bloody lifetime though.
Got cards & paper in the sales so that's one less job.

[selby]

Back in Jan - I'm another that stocks up on cards and wrapping paper in the sales (especially stuff from Paperchase). I would never pay full price for it since it's only for wrapping presents at the end of the day but am willing to pay at 50%/75% off! PJ's from Hush & The White Company Jan sales. My biggest bargain so far was in Feb/Mar - the Playmobil Circus Top which was half price in JL which DD is getting for Xmas. Clothes for the children - I buy the next age up in th Jan/Summer sales so French Connection, Gap, Boden, No Added Sugar, Joules, etc.. you get the gist. Admittedly, I spend a fortune in Jan/Feb but the gifts/clothes are for forthcoming birthdays throughout the year and a few make it to the following Christmas!