To start buying Christmas presents now?

Yes it’s not Christmas without a bit of M&S it’s always lovely and never disappoints us.

I’m not really a ‘bargain’ shopper, so don’t relate to ‘garbage’ in December…the same things are there. I do shop early and am done by December, but start in October, not April!

I save, I set up a separate savings fund and add to it from January. My kids tastes change constantly! They have a ‘Santa’ deadline of the end of Nov when we post our letters and then I buy it all.

I do the opposite
In January/ summer sales for example its just tat left and lots of new ranges in make up/ toiletries / toys come out in the run up to Christmas ..Save, get the interest and set aside an evening late Nov/ early Dec, order everything and wrap as soon as it arrives
Unless you are utterly broke I find it a bit miserable buying so early, I like to ask what people would like not gift them an old gift set .

Because Ive noticed that everything in the shops in December is utter garbage.
You are much better over getting a great bargain at a good price at this time of the year.
And also no mad shopping panic in December when you already have enough to do.
It makes xmas so much more enjoyable when its all done early.

But why wouldn’t you just set the money aside….?

I’ve been buying now, I go on maternity leave in September and won’t have the funds then.

I save buying for the kids until later, because, as you said, what they like or need could really change by December. But I do buy parents and in-laws presents early - usually tickets for a show or something like that.

YANBU for a start the shops put away all the nice stuff and bring out the shit they cant sell and inflate all the prices from November and the cost of everything is ridiculous.
For the first time ever I'm buying my christmas presents now. Ive never done that before.

The issue with kids is they constantly change their minds /interests so might not be into whatever it is by Christmas. It would also be pretty crazy to request Christmas lists now so you’d just be winging it based on what you think they like now, which as I say may change by then.

If you see some clear bargains obviously pick them up but other than that, I’d just save the money and buy closer to the time.

This!
I put the money on Monzo so get interesrt added monthly.
Also have Rainy day, passports, glasses, dentist cars etc so no chance I will spend it on something else

I start buying stocking bits in the January sales! I find those sorts of things fairly timeless in terms of interest.
I also pay for a lot of my food shopping in cash, and every time I get a note back in change, that goes into a jar to pay towards next Christmas' big food shop.

90% of Christmas and birthday presents were bought in the past Christmas sales. I bought all of the wrapping paper and Christmas cards then too. Most of what i bought were between 50% and 75% off so i have saved a fortune. Start now and it takes the pressure off.

For things like wrapping paper, I always get this in the sales.

I do have a drawer for little bits if I see something, but honestly part of me getting to grips with my finances was saving monthly for EVERY annual cost. (MOT, birthdays, christmas). It is tough but having the restraint to not dip back in took me some practice, but it causes a lot less stress having the pots there and ready.

I save every month too, for Christmas and birthdays- £100. Plus I get paid in vouchers for doing surveys so I save that up too.

Even teens change their minds last minute, but it is easier now they're older.

Save with a building society in a passbook account, so that it's a bit of a faff to go and get the money out. You will earn a little bit of interest in the meantime, which is never a bad thing.

I save on Monzo , around £200 a month which includes food and outings
Personally its too early to buy now as things are either no longer wanted or the boxes etc get squashed

I do most of my shopping one evening online and its great just paying for it and no miserable January

@caringcarer

I do exactly the same with wrapping paper and cards. It's a no brainer really, they are half price or less after Christmas.

I've already got a couple of presents I picked up on sale. And some stocking presents.
Each month I put some money aside for Christmas/birthday presents as soon as I get paid. Some months I then spend it if I see something good but otherwise it just sits there till needed.

For years I bought supermarket savings stamps for the Christmas food shop. I used to buy a couple of quids worth here and there on top of the shopping. They soon mounted up and made Christmas budgeting so much easier. I used to start buying them in Jan/Feb. Perhaps do something like that as they could be used for presents as well, especially if you have to buy for children.

I buy throughout the year, if I see something I know they will love, I get it. Mostly stocking fillers and smaller presents. I have a big family, It really helps with the financial hit

I buy throughout the year, if I see something I know they will love, I get it. Mostly stocking fillers and smaller presents. I have a big family, It really helps with the financial hit

Yes but mainly because if I see something that would make a great gift I buy it there and then, rather than a budget reason. I usually have bought at least one Xmas present by now, but not this year!

What my children are in to now, will massively change by December. I also don’t want to have stuff sat round the house all year. Yesterday I found loads of bath bombs and smellies that haven’t been touched from Christmas just gone. Similarly o tend to buy seasonal presents like scarves or winter candles for friends and family and shops won’t be stocking those things now.

I would just put the money away.

Why doesn't saving work? Personally I would rather put X amount each month into a separate account rather than buying vouchers for companies that could go bust.

As others have said, be aware of buying in advance. I used to do this but like others have been caught out with a change in interests.