Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start buying Christmas presents now?

62 replies

NeedingASafeSpace · 12/04/2026 08:15

If you think about how many pay days you have before Christmas time, it isn’t a lot, honestly. Well, not when you have small children and birthdays to plan for, too.

I am planing to start extra early this year, so that I am not stressing about presents come the Christmas period. Does anyone else do this?

previously, I have tried to save but it doesn’t really work out for me. Only issue is, my children will almost definitely go off the characters they are into, currently. What would some good suggestions be, please?

OP posts:
ainsleysanob · 12/04/2026 09:21

I save £200 with park every month, my preloaded Mastercards come in early November and I do all my shopping online then.

barkygoldie · 12/04/2026 09:18

I put away little things I find in sales, Rex London do great sales of things that can be stocking fillers and small gifts. But I find my kids tastes change so much I could never start proper gifts now. They usually change what they want throughout December even!!

50NotFat · 12/04/2026 09:13

When my older kids were very smal I worked in a department store. I always started my Christmas shopping on Boxing Day as I was usually working that day and the sales/reductions were really good. Take into consideration staff discount ontop there was no way I wasn’t going to buy stuff as I saw it. Also shopped for birthdays and stocked up on clothes for the year ahead.

Starlight40 · 12/04/2026 09:11

I start saving in January every year and then start buying from August. Though my youngest is 11 now so I’m not sure I will start quite so early this year. I also put £20 on Tesco Christmas savers every month for my Christmas food shop.

Rocky6 · 12/04/2026 09:06

I put a set amount into a separate bank account every month, to cover kids clothes, birthdays and Xmas.

I add things to my amazon list year round, but don't start buying until September, unless I get an alert about a huge price drop.

PersephonePomegranate · 12/04/2026 09:01

So, just start saving the money.

How do you know what someone will want or need in eight month's time?

Tillow4ever · 12/04/2026 09:00

I used to start in the Boxing Day sales! But only odd things if I saw stocking fillers or some clothes that I thought would be good gifts. Or presents for adults. Like you say with kids, their tastes change too often!

These days I start either on Prime Day in June/July, after my eldest sons birthday (end of July) or hang on for Black Friday but with an idea of what I’m after.

Vanillabourbon · 12/04/2026 08:59

I put money aside every month from January, then at least I have a lump sum to put towards Christmas, definitely helps as the months fly by so quickly.
This year, I have made a holiday pot aswell, taking the money out as soon as I get paid so I don't miss it.

G1ngerbread · 12/04/2026 08:39

I used to do park when I had less money and saving cash was an issue. Used to do spend anywhere Mastercards , primark, smyths and pay it off from Jan-oct. Now I’m better financially I start saving in Jan £100pm.

Chocolatecoffeecup · 12/04/2026 08:37

If you want to save money consider Vinted for toys and games. You can get brand new things for a discount.

Chocolatecoffeecup · 12/04/2026 08:36

I think it's too early to buy for Christmas now but I would start buying around September. If money is an issue then put some money aside as PP said. It
also depends what else you have going on. My DC's birthdays are in the summer and we have weddings in the summer. I will probably start buying gifts for the summer birthdays next month (a couple of months before).

Saynototheinevitable · 12/04/2026 08:18

Have a look on the Christmas board, there's a Christmas bargain thread.

Best thing you can do is save money in a separate account and/or buy vouchers for shops. This way you can buy the things they like nearer the time, it's way too early to buy as they might not want it by Christmas.

Swipe left for the next trending thread