to not understand the argument that it is a good thing to buy Christmas presents 11 months ahead of Christmas onwards because it spreads the cost?

[Mintyy]

I must be spectacularly dense, as I just don't get it .

Please explain to me.

[Sirzy]

Not everyone is good at saving money meaning they often end up paying for everything from 1 or 2 wage packets. Very few people can afford that.

I have just started buying presents now, but have also been saving money on an asda card so have £100 that way.

I don't see why people have a problem with people being organised/planning ahead.

[IcedCoffeeQueen]

1 - savings are a temptation if you buy early temptation is removed

2 - buying early means you pick up sales and offers that don't appear at Christmas

simple

[Tweasels]

Isn't it just so you can spend a little each month rather than loads in one go. Especially if actual money just burns a hole in your pocket and your likely to spend any savings.

I intend to do this every year, either start earlier or put a little away each month. I inevitably do neither and end up trying to find a gazillion pounds out of Novembers pay packet. I am an idiot!

[Iaintdunnuffink]

Maybe they buy something when it comes up on a good offer.

It spreads the effort as well as cost.

[KeemaNaanAndCurryOn]

I've started xmas shopping. I get it all done by my oct pay packet, so I can spend my pay at the end of Nov on going out and food for Christmas. I can't do it all out of one pay packet, so I spread the cost across the year.

[ChestyCoffin]

As above ^^

Plus no sweaty, pointy elbow avoiding, trailing round the shops in crowds.

[KeemaNaanAndCurryOn]

I save, but then things like the boiler go kaput, or the car needs fixing and the savings go. I can't pay for boiler repairs with lego (no matter how hard I try )

[Damnautocorrect]

So you spread the cost and pick up bargains. I save £10 a week and pick up bits through the year

[olivo]

Yabu. Buying things well in advance means you can get good deals, and in my case, I can purchase without small people seeing what I am getting,

[Sirzy]

Plus no sweaty, pointy elbow avoiding, trailing round the shops in crowds.

THAT! I always aim to be done by 1st December so I can actually enjoy the build up to christmas.

[Guitargirl]

My children both have birthdays in January so that's two parties to pay for as well as birthday gifts just after Christmas. And that all happens before January pay day at the end of the month. If I left everything until December then I wouldn't have any money left to buy food!

[Tabby1963]

It's not a good idea for me because I usually forget where I've put the blooming gifts and have to buy new ones in December. I find them the following January....

[Iaintdunnuffink]

KeemaNaan

Have you tried Meccano?

[UrethraFranklin]

Yeah as above - some people don't save, hence would get to September onwards and be using the money they have from then to Christmas on presents equalling a skint few months (sometimes). As opposed to having 12 months worth of money to use.

Plus, if you spot a bargain in March for a Christmas present, buy it then. I've had Christmas presents for months, just because I'd rather store them and save myself a lot of money money that I can spend on my own presents

[MurderOfBanshees]

Pick stuff up in the sales rather than just before Xmas when all the prices get bumped up. Makes much more sense.

[SwedishEdith]

How do you know what people want so early? Or even if they'll still be alive!?

[Guitargirl]

Also - with something like tracking Amazon prices on camel it means you can buy things when they are at their cheapest instead of just paying whatever the price in December is. So, for example, last night I purchased something on Amazon that I have been watching for a while for 14.99 and this morning the price had gone up to 47.90!!

[CrohnicallyLurking]

Tabby- I've done that. In fact, I often forget I've even bought them. Notable examples include photo calendars that I was going to fill with family photos for grandparents. I found them the following September.

[fuzzpig]

Yes for me it's not about spreading the cost but about getting what we want to get when it's cheapest (eg a Lego game I've been watching for ages at over £30, suddenly went to £15 so I got it). Or if there is a chance it won't be available by Xmas (eg a particular playmobil set that is no longer being made)

[fuzzpig]

As for knowing what people want - that's why I leave some of the buying til later. But so far, my DCs have no awareness of fad toys/latest gadgets etc, so they don't really ask for anything yet (making the most of that while it lasts!) and with stuff like Lego/playmobil it is a guaranteed hit so no worry about changing minds.

DSCs are older and we start asking them around now, and they are old enough to understand that we buy a little while in advance for the most part. And they don't really ask for particular things either TBH they are happy with surprises.

[Sirzy]

Things like lego you can't go wrong buying for DS.

[Threalamandaclarke]

I wish I was better at this.
Ideally I would have the bulk of my Christmas shopping done by the end of November.
How is it that you don't understand how it spreads the cost?
It spreads the cost (and the effort) by doing a little bit each month rather than all in one go.

[wigglesrock]

I buy throughout the year when I see things. For example the Disney Store reduced stationery sets in June - down to £4. I bought them as stocking fillers for 2 of my dds and an extra one for my niece. Same with Lego & Peppa Pig stuff in Sainsburys.

I've a lot of expense in Dec - birthdays, car has the MOT, heating bills - I have found that buying a generic gift - be it for my own daughters, as teachers presents, really helps.

[SpiritOfTheBuskersCat]

I cant save money, but buy toys that I know will last for years. And can be picked up in flash/summer/January sales, things like wooden dolls house/kitchen/hospital. I bought DD's DSi last month, I know she will play with it for years

[SpiritOfTheBuskersCat]

My issue with the spreading the cost and saving you money. I end up buying about 3 times more doing it over a few months