Yes. Yes I am a bit smug.

[LokiBear]

Disclaimer: Christmas Thread.
My family and friends are starting to panic about Christmas. Over the last two days I have been reminded several times by several people that there are only 8 weeks and one pay day left until Christmas. My response: "I know. I'm almost finished" has lead to much name calling! They all laughed at me when I started planning in July and called me silly. Yes, I am now smug and I'm not even a tiny bit sorry! Anyone else?

[fuzzpig]

At work I'm known as The one who starts Xmas really early :o not smug this year though. Not actually done that much but pretty chilled really.

[Mouthfulofquiz]

You're my hero to be honest!!
I've made a list of what I'm getting for everyone, and a list of food and drinks to get (I'm hosting xmas for the first time!) and I have a christmas drawer in the kitchen which has candles (cinnamon scented and non scented), small sets of fairy lights, gift tags, Christmas tree catalogue, etc etc) and I am starting to feel quite excited!!

[I8toys]

I have been getting some pressies over the last few months - see it buy it sort of thing because I hate shopping. Kids are practically done - they are mainly who I buy presents for and I know what I want for everyone else so almost there.

Got my boots no 7 advent calendars for myself and mum! Need 1 more Lego calendar for ds1 - holding out to see if price will drop. Just prepping for 1st December now and the elf visiting starting to do his stuff.

[LokiBear]

I'm really excited too! This year we have moved to a bigger house so it's been a very expensive year. My budget means I need to plan carefully and buy bit by bit. The bargain thread has helped me to save a fortune which makes me extra happy!

[Mrsgrumble]

Good for you.

Im a due a christmas baby and also started getting bits and pieces over the summer. Took a break for a couple of months and this week, during half term, have a huge amount done

Bought new decorations, cleaned presses etc. wrapped what I have. Even bought cards with photo space for sending to family.

Have DS present to buy tomorrow and have to buy dh his but waiting on gap sale and few other things in mind.

Delighted. I just need to be a few emergency gifts and maybe something for midwives. Also sort Christmas grocery list

[DillydollyRIP]

I've just done my christmas list using an app, I'm about 3/4 done I think. No panicking this year hopefully.

[Nishky]

I couldn't do it that early though- where is the fun and excitement in that? I love Christmas and I love shopping at Christmas and wrapping at Christmas. Not in August. I save the money so that I have it in November and start then.

[fuzzpig]

Oh I absolutely hate shopping nearer Xmas. Far too crowded (social phobic) even on a weekday then. So it's as much for my mental health as anything :)

[Nishky]

I can understand that element fuzzpig- it's the 'I've everything wrapped by August' that I just can't get.

Last year I posted my Christmas cards at 5:20 n the 23rd- they all arrived on Christmas Eve apparently. ( I am not normally THAT late!)

[ClashCityRocker]

I'm about there, I've got everyone's 'main' presents which I tend to order online as and when they come on offer throughout the year.

I do have my 'bits' to get - little knick-knacky filler type presents - this usually involves a day off work and a mooch around town with a stop off for something nice to eat somewhere.

I find the end of November quite ok for this - crowds not too mad yet, but still fairly festive.

[LilyPotter]

Why on earth would you be smug? That implies that you think you're better than us, for some reason. I have no problem doing my Christmas shopping nearer the time, when I have a better idea of what people need/want or have taken ideas from adverts and promotions - and there's a bit of atmosphere about it all.

On the very odd occasion in the past when I've bought something specific for someone ahead of time, I invariably forget I've got it, and find it in a drawer halfway through January.

[mrsruffallo]

Starting christmas shopping in July would depress me beyond words.

[LokiBear]

I don't wrap that early. I just put it all away. I will wrap over the next few weeks because I have loads to do. A few bits here and there is more manageable than trying to wrap all at once.

[pigleychez]

I have all the DD's presents bought and hidden away. Will wait till nearer to wrap as I love doing it whilst listening to carols and under the twinkly tree lights. Not sure DH would allow the tree up just yet!

[LikeSilver]

I have never started this early before but now I've done it this year I see the value in it and have had great fun hunting bargains! We had some unexpected spare cash so DD's Christmas and birthday presents (for
March) are sorted, her stocking is done, and I'm almost done for DH and my parents. Just boring gift vouchers for teenage nephews to get on the next payday and I'm set. Yay! DS is due in January so I'm feeling relieved to be all sorted in the event of anything happening early

[marne2]

Same as fuzzpig, I hate shopping in December, hate queuing and hate being in busy places so I have to finish my shopping early in November. I have done a lot of mine already, I'm going to try and get the last bits this week.

[fuzzpig]

I don't really aim to shop early IYSWIM. I just keep wishlists all year round of things I think people will love, and if I'm out and about or online and see something from my list that's gone cheap, or something else that's really perfect, I'll get it. So that means sometimes I'm done really early and sometimes, like this year, I'm not. But the thinking part is already done.

As opposed to just making myself do all of it in summer. IYSWIM.

[LokiBear]

When I said 'smug' I was referring to the specific conversations that I've had with my family when they have ridiculed me fir starting shopping early and are now berating me fir having almost finished. I meant 'smug' in an immature 'Haha, you called me stupid but look who is stressing now' way. Very much directed at the people who laughed at me. For the record, I do not think I am better than anyone else, on here or in rl. I had hoped the post was light hearted. Granted, it's always hard to tell with text.

[tassisssss]

I think people should shop when they want to shop. If you like doing it early, good for you. I like to do most of it in November but will happily start in October and if I'm finishing in Decemer that's fine.

I always feel sorry for those who find it all a massive stress...now they should be the ones who start early...

[LokiBear]

For, not fir. Stupid phone!

[tanya1312]

Have finished shopping for younger 2, just last of family to do now which is easy , and then christmas food shop but been buying little bits here and there. I wanted to be done before dec1st and looks like I will be :) xx

[poolomoomon]

I think I would panic beyond control if I was still sat with nothing bought or even planned right now...

I've done all of my make in advance Christmas baking and making already, been done for about a month . I've finished buying decorations, the Ocado basket has just been completed today and I'm waiting till first thing on the 30th to get that precious Christmas slot... I've made a start on the presents but I'm not yet finished, I'll be finishing in a couple of weeks though! DH and I spend a lovely evening in December wrapping presents. Everything is just stored in boxes in the spare room for now.

Different folks and all that though. I don't think some people mind doing it all in December, I guess with next day delivery it's not really much of an issue nowadays.

[fuzzpig]

I took it as lighthearted Loki :)

[Momagain1]

tassi
why is it that those who find it a massive stress, so massive that they procrastinate and make it even more massively stressful always seem to act like that person is the crazy one?

and few are strong enough to simply declare the whole thing too stressful, and redefine it down to what they can bear to do / insist that spouse, children secondary school age or older, and extended family take on a task or give up expecting it to be done.

[dementedma]

Wrapped the first batch today. Stockings are done.am about half way there which is fine. Will get the rest over next couple of weeks, make the cake next weekend, and then enjoy December.