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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Those of you who started planning Christmas in June...

107 replies

MardyBra · 28/12/2014 11:06

... was it really worth it?

Or do you feel a teensy bit disappointed that you spent half a year planning one day?

OP posts:

Waltonswatcher · 28/12/2014 20:23

Quite fourflapjacks
Same here. December is all about crafts,cooking and christmas family type activities . I love it . I've lit the fire again tonight and have nestled in with a tray of mince pies . Who decrees it's all over?

lostinindia · 28/12/2014 20:37

I bought my nieces presents in last year's sales and I've just done the same for their Christmas 2015 gifts, bought today . I've also picked up a couple of things for my daughters November birthday. I find buying and sorting their gifts now really helps minimise the effort come November /December where I have my children's birthdays to think about toö. When the children were tiny I'd pick things up during the year for them but find that doesn't work now they're a bit older and have a better idea of what they want. I don't count the days to Christmas and put the decorations up mid December. And of all the holidays I prefer Easter as their are no presents involved and is a much more chilled affair.

Whippet81 · 28/12/2014 21:06

You know - I normally start really early and end up with three months of stress - I go mad at at DP and his 'oh I've got ages yet' speech normally around the 23rd. However - I went to the shops on Christmas Eve for a few bits and it was empty and everything was half price - I'm beginning to think there might be something in the doing it all in one go kind of mentality.

He only does one afternoon or so of intense wrapping whereas I spend all of December doing one or two at a time. Hmm.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 28/12/2014 21:14

confused, I have not seen anyone who actually plans it 6 months in advance only people who start looking for pressies when sales are on, as its cheaper?

so in that case, YES very much so as I would have been able to afford very little for DC.

trixymalixy · 28/12/2014 21:15

Totally worth it!

Meant I could enjoy December doing crafty stuff with the kids and not stressing about couriers not turning up in time. I'm already on the lookout for crackers, cards and wrap in the sales.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 28/12/2014 21:16

And yes to doing other things, theatre, ballett, baking and craft etc.

AwfulBeryl · 28/12/2014 21:19

I think I might have started in June, sort of, ish.
I bought a couple of presents I me owe my Dts would love and invited my parents over, does that count ?

Sunnymeg · 28/12/2014 21:43

I buy things throughout the year. Unfortunately we have had three family bereavements in previous December's and for us it is not a season to feel jolly about. Therefore if I can avoid shops when Christmas songs are blaring out then I will do. We enjoy Christmas Day itself, but all the present buying is doing months in advance.

watchingthedetectives · 28/12/2014 23:32

What's the point of this mean spirited post OP?

Start early or late it's not your business. I've bought stuff in Sept and also been in Selfridges on Christmas Eve great as the sale had already started

A lot of people get enjoyment out of planning - leave them to it and do your own thing!

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 29/12/2014 00:09

Apart from putting money into saving, then I don't start till December.

To me I love the Christmas markets and the lights ect.

sarie2468 · 29/12/2014 01:23

I can never buy in advance. For example in August I saw an amazing loom band huge case worth £40 but half price for £20 and thought my DD8 would LOVE it... contemplated buying it but decided not to. Was so glad I didn't because it was a total flash in the pan craze and she was not interested in looms atall by November (nor were any of her school friends). Trends change and especially with fickle children... Do you guys just buy generic gifts you think they might like... I wouldn't have a clue what my family/friends would need/want that they wouldn't already buy themselves before I did. Hence why I would wait until at least late November...

HollyBdenum · 29/12/2014 09:44

I buy stuff for my children that I think they will enjoy for a whole year, or stuff that I know they will need. They are fairly consistent in their personalities, so it's easy enough to anticipate what they will enjoy.

For adults, it's even easier as they are even less likely to change over the course of a year.

Shockers · 29/12/2014 09:59

I'm going to start now!

I hate Christmas. It's DD's birthday just a few days earlier and she doesn't cope well with changes to routine. Imagine the changes at school, the excitement of her birthday... then Christmas. It's awful and every year I say something has to change.

Well this time I mean it!

Lweji · 29/12/2014 12:08

But what about returns? If you buy one year in advance, will it still be possible to return anything?
The same for warranties. By the time you give out the stuff the warranty is almost finished.

Damnautocorrect · 29/12/2014 12:19

I start early for little bits and pieces, i wait for the main present though and i also put money aside.
The winter/ spring stuff is in the sales at may/june time, so i just put it away until christmas. My DS is only 6 though so its science sets and little sets that I'm buying, which come later in the year i wouldn't be able to afford to as they aren't reduced.
Im very strict with the early bargains (they have to be proper bargains not just 25% off!). I also pick up homeware gifts as presents for adults in the sales, things like Emma Bridgewater where again i wouldn't be able to afford them if they weren't reduced and it doesn't matter if you have two.

Damnautocorrect · 29/12/2014 12:21

Lweji
I wouldn't buy electricals for that reason, i bought computer games early this year from CEX but i checked them when i got home to make sure.
Things like a teapot or a science set don't need a warranty

HollyBdenum · 29/12/2014 12:25

I tend to give a lot of books, craft materials and handmade/ local craft/ second hand stuff, so returns and warranties are less of an issue.

SisterMoonshine · 29/12/2014 12:26

I am so glad I started early this year.
As it turned out DH needed dentistry and expensive stuff went wrong with the car in the run up.
At least Father Christmas could still come and neices and nephews were sorted.

Lweji · 29/12/2014 12:26

They might. I once had to ask for a missing piece from a science kit.

But I couldn't just sit on something I know my DS would love for a year.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 29/12/2014 12:29

I'm really glad I did! Children got better presents than I could have afforded otherwise plus no last minute panic about who is getting what.

Even though kids had chicken pox most of December and we couldn't go out we had a really calm relaxed time. Probably my favourite so far!

Lweji · 29/12/2014 12:30

Also, I can just save the money instead of buying things right away. It still means I get buy the presents if there is an emergency spending.
On the other hand, it may actually mean that a lot of my money would be tied up on gifts rather than available if I had unforeseen large expenses during the year.

JoandMax · 29/12/2014 12:38

I bought a few things in the summer whilst I was back in the UK, we're expats and where we live toys and especially Lego are crazy prices! I have 4 and 6 year old sons so Lego is a safe bet to buy early...... I didn't think or do anything else til December though!

mamapain · 29/12/2014 12:54

-On christmas day I cook for an average of 30 people
-I have 5 children, 2 grandchildren and a large extended family as does DH
-Christmas often coincides with festivities from my own culture (this year it was christmas eve)
-Christmas is not just one day for us

So it was definitely worth it for me. Planning early means I get to spend 15-30 minutes here or there when its convenient for me rather than having to dedicate lots of time in the run up. Instead of doing anything stressful and wrapping a few presents here and there, I spend December doing things with the family and enjoying that side of christmas. We always get great experiences as I book in June

All the planning and things I did in advance are still working for me now, so in some free time today I've bought a few bits for next year.

Sirzy · 29/12/2014 12:56

I plan in advance it means I can enjoy the run up to Christmas and it's stress free. Well worth it

Lilicat1013 · 29/12/2014 13:24

I am amazed at how concerned some people are about the way other people do things. I personally plan early but I don't spend my time making negative remarks about those who prefer to wait. Different things work for different people. I tend to assume people do what is best for their own family/situation.

Christmas planning tends to be an ongoing situation for me which kicks of to proper planning around August. The main reason being I hate August. My son is autistic and hates the summer holidays, he kicks of badly the whole of the six weeks. It is hard to go anywhere or do anything fun because of his behaviour and I am epileptic, if it is too hot I prefer not to risk going out in the sun alone with the kids (over heating causes seizures). The days are long and crap, in my free time I enjoy planning a more fun time of the year.

I buy presents all year round, as I mentioned my older son is autistic and my little one is heading towards a diagnosis in the next few months. They have set, specific interests and they can't ask for Christmas presents (severely speech delayed).

I know what they enjoy and they are a safe bet to buy fairly early on if the price is good. I have already brought some little things for next Christmas, a sticker book and a Take 'n' Play train. The money I save doing it that way means I am able to buy more quality presents than they will enjoy long term and less 'tat'.

They don't get any more presents due to me buying early, they each have eight toy presents and two books under the tree. That number is set and I don't go over it.

It works for me and for my family in general which is really the only thing that matters. As I said I assumed others do what they do because it works for them. Is that really so hard to understand?

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