to have started my christmas shopping

[4plus1]

Just bought a few toys today, im trying to spread it out over the next 3 paychecks. We have 5 dc so lots to buy but dh thinks im mad shopping this early !

I started last month and I don't feel guilty or ashamed at all. Why would you hide this thread? It's the only way I can afford to buy for everyone without having a nervous/financial breakdown. Not shopping in December means more time to actually enjoy Christmas and do lots of cooking/eating/lazing about. I also bought my Christmas cards in January at 75% off.

I don't see why it's more "affordable" to spend an identical amount of money over a longer time, instead of putting it in savings for the Christmas shopping in November or December?

Doing quite a bit on the internet saves the rush around the shops :)

Don't you all feel completely sick of Christmas by the time it actually arrives? Doesn't shopping so very early make it feel less special to you? I prefer to keep it within a shorter time frame.

No horatia I like to get the rather tedious gift buying out of the way so I can concentrate on the fun of decorating, making delicious festive foods, and other Christmassy activities.

YANBU. I did some too today. I am never ready early but like the idea of relaxing and enjoying the run-up.

So no asking others for their Christmas lists a few weeks before Christmas then?

It's August - have a heart and keep the Christmas Threads in the Christmas topic until at least November.

I used to love Christmas, I don't anymore. I will have to deal with it when it gets closer, but not in August.

There are many reasons that many people are dreading Christmas this year and money is only one of them...it's not mine.

Hiding Christmas Thread number 6 today....

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ChippingIn - I'm sorry you're dreading Christmas. Really, I am. I've been there, it's horrible. But this thread is quite upbeat IMO. It's about people planning to make their lives easier and other peoples' nicer. I started planning ahead a few years ago and it has made Christmas a lot more fun. Also, I really think about what to give people instead of dashing into Boots for those boxes of soap and talc.

(Another Make-Christmas-Easier thing I did was to type addresses on an address-label. God, once you've done that it makes life so much easier - literally halves the time it takes to do cards and you have the list for baby announcements, change of address etc)

Yes, yes, there are people who love Christmas so much that they don't feel the magic of it is sucked out by shopping for bargains in the bloody summer - that's all fine. But why not put it in the Christmas topic?