Christmas enthusiasts who start in July

[DianaT1969]

Was it worth it?

I see threads from July onwards from posters who adore Christmas and want to share their excitement and plans months in advance. It concerns me that they are (almost) wishing their life away for the sake of one day.
So if you are one of the MN Christmas enthusiasts, did 2019 live up to your expectations?

I'm interested in this too. I saw a thread yesterday where the OP had a disappointing Christmas, even though she had planned for it for 8 months.

With so much expectation, it's almost inevitable that reality will fall short.

Yes, and if one parent is putting in huge amounts of time and effort, do the rest of the family appreciate it, or even do the bare minimum of tidying and clearing up afterwards?

I must admit that I wonder whether I’m the opposite - I get a bit ratty if anyone mentions Christmas before Bonfire Night.

It must feel a bit relentless to live with someone who starts going on about it in July.

I start early - often in July.
Pros- I could relax from the 22nd onwards - everything was ready, wrapped and sorted. Even netbook presents set up, charged and wrapped and ready to go. Also identified one of the DC's Santa present wasn't working and could get a replacement.
Cost is spread over six months..
Cons - I often forget what I bought so need to get better at writing and documenting it. I also got slightly frustrated at DH who decided on Christmas Eve to make mince pies with the children. This was off plan and mucked up the incredibly clean kitchen. However in the end it was lovely and effort was much appreciated by grandparents

Oh I don't mention it - stuff just gets bought and put away

I must admit that I wonder whether I’m the opposite - I get a bit ratty if anyone mentions Christmas before Bonfire Night.

I get ratty if anyone mentions Christmas before December the 12th.

But I was pleased to see my first 2020 Easter Eggs for sale on December the 24th this year.

If this trend continues we'll soon be seeing the first Hallowe'en goodies on the shelves in February and finding the Christmas after next's advertising started last week.

My Birthday is in September. (That was a hint by the way.)

I always start early, not as early as July, but early. And I go all out too - lots of decorations in all downstairs rooms, homemade food (chutneys, jams, sauces, puddings etc made in November), hopefully thoughtful and personal presents all prettily wrapped, lots Christmas outings booked, the whole hog.

I like everything to be done for mid December at the latest. That frees me up to be able to spend time with the children doing what they enjoy which is loads of Christmas crafts, cards, making gifts etc. And I also don’t have to face the hoards of people in the shops or worry about things being unavailable. And I get to see family and friends without feeling like that is stopping me from doing what I need to do.

I also feel much more relaxed when I know that everything is done. It makes Christmas itself much more enjoyable for me. I don’t think it makes that much difference to everyone else though!

I started in August and it made it way easier. I've got a very demanding toddler and a husband who isn't interested in Christmas (and the toddler's birthday is that week too) so buying gifts in the summer sales, Black Friday etc not only helped me spread the cost, it meant I didn't have to do any big shopping trips either.

I saved around £300 in total* thanks to Mumsnet bargain threads and early shopping.

*including presents for entire family, food shop, decorations etc

I hope it is! I never do this but next year I plan to start in August. Every time I think about Christmas I think it is too early to start. Without fail every December I am rushing around wishing I had started earlier. Next year will be different... I hope!

I'm organised from October picking up bits in various sales / offers I honestly don't think I've bought a single gift full price so saved quite a bit . It's the ones that think Christmas has started earlier and earlier ie putting the tree and decs up in November. If they want to do that fine but have they had enough by Boxing Day and took them down ? .
I enjoy Christmas from 24th onwards can eat & drink & enjoy. The 26th is more relaxed and I like in between Christmas and new year period .

Oh I need to change my username I'm not actually counting down to next year

Start in September basically Strictly starts Christmas planning and prepping and this year it worked beautifully DH and I were just talking about how perfectly this year went, no hiccups no arguments and everything was ready by 21st so we had a very chilled weekend beforehand. I think for me it was more important and last year I had back to back viruses and ended up in bed for all the run up to Christmas. DH had to make the cake

I may get bitched at but I start boxing day. Nothing big but stocking bits or little presents. I have 8 nieces and nephews as well as my 2 dc plus others so I have to spread the cost.

I'm wondering if we can ban the subject of Christmas other than on its dedicated board for eleven months?

I start in the January sales. Little bits and pieces put away every month makes it far easier for me to budget. It also means that I get things purchased before the Christmas inflation price rises start

I start early and prepare gradually. It just suits me better. I like a bargain and buy things as I see them.

I have a notebook file on my phone for birthday and Christmas presents and update it as I shop. I have a few things already for 2020.

Definitely easier as both my DCs have winter birthdays so it spreads the cost and the work.

I started a bit late this year, in September. It was so worth it. It was amazing! No stress at all no rushing about, all presents bought by December so had the full month to do Christmassay things and enjoy the time. Made my own advent calendar for dds which they loved. Think I got the presents spot on! Not perfect but I wasn't expecting it to be.

I start early and save a fortune picking up bargains before December.
It means I spread the cost, and wrap as I go so don’t have to do it all at Christmas.
I had a very relaxed Christmas without having to brave the madness of the shops so yes, it works for me

I started in September this year - buying gifts and stuff. September is only three paycheques away from Christmas so it helps spread it a bit more and I could be more thoughtful. Plus I got some massive bargains and great ideas from the Christmas threads on here. This is the first year I wasn’t stressed and everyone had a relaxing chill time.

I have in fact made a plan to make our Christmas decs so have already scheduled in what I’ll make each month.

Yep, totally.

DH and I go all out at Christmas and spend a fortune. By November we were completely done with shopping (including all gifts, drinks, non perishables etc) other than the fresh shop. It’s meant we’ve had the most relaxing, stress free Christmas with absolutely everything we’ve wanted. No last minute rushing about fighting over boxes of After Eights. No rushing to catch postal cut offs. No credit card debt or juggling money. It’s been bloody lovely. We do it every year. It’s just picking up odd bits here & there and it makes Christmas totally stress free. I’d highly recommend it.

It's not wishing life away at all. No reason to make erroneous assumptions. It's spreading the cost, the worry and injecting a tiny spark of joy into the anticipation. I'm also planning a couple of music festivals for this summer, some hiking trips and some events with friends. I'm enjoying the run up, not wishing it away.

And Christmas was indeed wonderful thank you!

I wouldn’t say I was a Christmas enthusiast, More of a ‘value for money’ enthusiast. I booked Lapland uk tickets when they opened in july. I got the cheapest weekend as close to Xmas as I could, and times early in the day so we could make a full day of it. Last year I bought nutcracker tickets in july and got front row, as well as close to the front row tickets at disney on ice. If you are Spending on shows and popular events/experiences then if you book early you get the best seats/slots.

I had all the presents bought by October and all I had to do was wrap them.

We don’t go mad on decorations, a small tree, and we don’t send Xmas cards, and I refuse to do elf on a shelf. But I will make sure we get the best days out we can. December is pretty stressful with all the school events and fundraisers it was nice to know I didn’t have to worry about Xmas shopping, or trying to book a decent FC experience.

I don't think it's about wishing you life away for one day, for me I actually enjoy some of the early prep/ planning. Sad I know

I’m with you showofhands, knowing you’ve got something nice planned for when the kids are off really gives you something to look forward to.

Totally worth it. Spreads the cost, the stress.

Everything was organised by 1st Dec so I could actually enjoy doing lots of family events in the run up to the big day.

Truly loved it this year.