to not understand the argument that it is a good thing to buy Christmas presents 11 months ahead of Christmas onwards because it spreads the cost?

[Mintyy]

I must be spectacularly dense, as I just don't get it .

Please explain to me.

I get my child benefit monthly, so I try to use that for Christmas. Well, November and December's payments. Most months it goes on other expenses.
January - getting back on top after the Christmas financial juggling, granddaughter's birthday.
February - dd's birthday and half term extras
March / April - tend to be easier months, aside from mother's day, dad's birthday, wedding anniversary etc. And now my grandson's birthday.
May / June - the other three kid's birthdays.
July/ August / September - the extra cost of the summer holidays plus the uniform shop
October - my birthday, the bloke's birthday, my sister's birthday, both parents' wedding anniversaries, half term.

I try to put away (or at least reduce the overdraft/ credit card) to soak up some of the cost of Christmas but have been flattened this year due to having to pay a uni halls deposit and my eldest being in and out of hospital. And my income has dropped again. I'll manage though, I always do.

That is a good point thebody. I've just bought DH a lovely secondhand guitar in a charity shop, but I now have to find somewhere to hide it for two and a half months.

This year it's because DC2 is due mid December and there is no way I'm schlepping around shops with 2 year old DS in tow while heavily pregnant.

Some things are quite easy to buy in advance - crafty stuff for DM that she will always love, and stuff for DS who's not at the stage of asking for what he wants yet. I have saved a small fortune on DS's presents by watching for sales/prices on camelcamel. You just need to be a bit selective in what you get in advance and be a bit organised (where you keep it all, etc).

Ipswich, Xmas presents are pretty much the only thing in my whole life that I manage to be organised about :o

Its not really rocket science. I buy from June onwards and store is because i pick things up in the summer sales or flash sales.

DD1 loves Sylvanian Families and i know they feature on her Christmas list. Closer to Christmas these are never reduced so i buy in summer sale.

I am pretty much done...just niece and god daughter to buy for now...

The best thing about this thread. Mintyy and I have found something to agree on . Started your cards yet Mintty?