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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

over organised

41 replies

KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:38

Just read about a pal on fb who has wrapped all her presents and written her cards.
We just cannot afford to get started this year.
AIBU in thinking I can do it all in the final week before Christmas? Any experience of such last minute ness please??

OP posts:
cjbartlett · 20/11/2011 08:40

Yes they'll be sales in the last week I hope
Send dh into tesco on Xmas eve
Hopefully they'll be a half price toy sale

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 20/11/2011 08:41

YANBU

I think people who have it all bought, wrapped, cards written etc months in advance are a little, erm, anal.

I am the same as you; I've bought a couple of presents this week and the rest will be done in December and probably wrapped on Xmas eve or a couple of days before

Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:42

Thanks cj.
I have always been far moe ahead than I am this year. Have 3dc- they have very short lists as reigning things in. But feel very freakily panicky when see that others have done it all already.
Plus I'll be in Lidl not Tesco even!!

OP posts:
cjbartlett · 20/11/2011 08:43

It's 10 whole days until December even starts
Grin

Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:43

Hexagonal- do you do that every year?
I suppose cards will have to be done earlier.

OP posts:
eaglewings · 20/11/2011 08:44

Half the presents are wrapped and in the loft, cards may well never happen, beds made for guests, just a few handmade presents left to do.

This is because Ihave ME and have guests staying from the weekend before Christmas and all the activities the last few weeks of term.

Just feeding the family in December will be enough

Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:45

reining not reigning. sp nightmare.

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Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:46

In some ways with my money problems I should have started last January I guess.

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NinkyNonker · 20/11/2011 08:46

I bought a tin of Quality Street the other day. That's it.

Hoping to start in a week or so.

MsPrufrock · 20/11/2011 08:47

I am a planner-aheader, but fully appreciate not everyone is like this.
But if you're feeling panicky, and you WANT to get more stuff done, is it lack of funds, or lack of funds plus lack of time that's holding you back? If just ('just' - ha - sorry. Can't think of a better way of putting it. Not suggesting being broke is 'just' anything as it's awful) lack of money then have you checked out the handmade Christmas thread for ideas of cheap gifts you could make? Some of these gifts like home-made chutney in recycled jars, can cost very little.
But obviously that's no good for everyone you have to buy for....

Collision · 20/11/2011 08:49

How about not sending cards this year? That will save a fortune on cards and stamps.

Buy a small item of food every week from now til Xmas and that will set up a nice store of bits and pieces.

Bake and freeze lots of cakes and wrap them in cellophane to give as presents.

Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:49

I will check that out MsPrufrock- how do I find it? Only really OK with 'active' and 'relationships'. I think I need that. Thanks

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Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 08:51

Collision. Sorry to be daft but have never frozen a cake/biscuit. No idea what to do. Just put it in??

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nikon1968 · 20/11/2011 08:53

I have had all my presents bought and wrapped for about two weeks now.

I do not think it is anal it is just the way I do things. I can sit back and relax now and not worry.

I have not got many to buy for so it makes it easier and buying a laptop for my son was just a matter of reserve it at argos and pick it up.

If it is a matter of money i am sorry but you do know christmas will be on the 25 Dec every year.

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 20/11/2011 08:53

KlickKlack, yep we do that every year. Sometimes I order the kids main presents online earlier, at the end of November, but its never finished before 20th December at the earliest. I don't send cards now. I can't be bothered and I keep in touch with everyone via FB anyway.

Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 09:01

nikon- yes- thanks for that. Really had no spare money to sort things out- these things do happen. Hope it never happens to you nikon.

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ZeldaUpNorth · 20/11/2011 09:10

I have all the dd's presents bought-but not wrapped yet. Have a few more to get for my nan, sil and dp. I get things in as i see them on sale. A lot of what i got was out of the sainsburys half price toy sale.

TheHumancatapult · 20/11/2011 09:13

sorry im one of those that are super organised this year Blush

but i been unwell , ds2 is unwell in hospital so am glad I have been this year .We go away next Monday for a week (booked paid before knew we were moving ) and then we move on the 19th December .
so am breathing sigh of relief

nikon1968 · 20/11/2011 09:22

I am sorry I did'nt mean to be rude.

If someone that usually bought me a pressie told me they were skint I would not want them fretting over getting me a gift.

If you cannot afford it tell them.

Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 09:23

thats the hard thing nikon- really struggling to do that....
This is a first time skint Christmas for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
KlickKlackknobsac · 20/11/2011 09:24

humancatapult are you mad- moving house on 19th!! omg. Good luck and glad you are mega organised.

OP posts:
UserNameNotAvailable · 20/11/2011 09:25

I have half of dd and ds2 presents wrapped up and put away. The other half are still to be paid off at the post office as I use their christmas club. (Maybe an idea for anyone else who struggles to pay for christmas?)

Ds1 - I haven't got a thing for him yet but will be starting next week for him as his are more expensive. As soon as I get them they will be wrapped.

Family - only one present so far and that's also wrapped. Just another 16 to buy for.

I always start wrapping as I buy them to try and be as relaxed as possible christmas eve. (never happens though and still up until the early hours wrapping last minute panic presents)

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 20/11/2011 09:25

I don't know if you have children or if you do, the ages of them, KlickKlack, but there are so many good deals around on toys this year. Lots of places are doing 3 for 2, and Tesco are doubling up clubcard points

AngelofTheLordiscomingDown · 20/11/2011 09:29

I have bought and wrapped all my presents for others. I have nearly finished my cards (rather a lot). I am usually early like this but I often go away for Christmas to a relative and, apart from that, some of the cards and gifts have to be posted abroad. I posted one on 4 November and it has still not arrived. It includes a birthday present for 26 November so I am a bit worried that it won't arrive in time because I was told that it would take 3-5 days (International Global Priority). Tsk tsk.

TheHumancatapult · 20/11/2011 09:31

I admit i trimmed over time my buying list who i buy for

My 4dc , my mum and stepdad , my grandad and my best friend son who we are very close to .

token gifts for my 3 nephews and 3 nieces .Dont see them very often so no guilt feelings

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