To be Christmas ahopping

[Busybuzzybumblebee]

I know it's really early but we're not exactly flush so I start really early, got a few bits this month. To add to it all my dc bday is early jan before the jan payday, so have to get both sets of pressies. Anyway it happened to come up at work and you'd think I'd just shat in the floor the horrified reaction. I thought it was normal to start early???? Or is it just me?

[Noodledoodledoo]

ChanandlerBongsNeighbour I love that idea of an advent box of books - I may just steal it next year or this year if I start a hunt soon!

I also hate having to buy stuff when the shops are madly busy - I love the hustle and bustle and will often go into London to see the lights and do Christmassy things and soak up the atmosphere but hate having to buy things when its busy.

[glenthebattleostrich]

It's not all for DD! I have 11 neices and nephews plus 10 other children of friends and clients. We don't buy for adults in the family but there are a few friends we also get gifts for.

I love December, I enjoy the celebrations without the stress of having to shop

[Hippymama]

I'm a wahm and run a sewing and embroidery business. I have been making Christmas stuff for weeks now and a lot of my regular customers have already put their orders in! My husband laughs at me sitting at the sewing machine in shorts and flip flops whilst making Christmas decorations

[RitaKiaOra]

YANBU if you can hide gifts effectively and not give any out in a moment of weakness
YABU for not using the Xmas thread, maryz will have a heart attack !

[BiddyPop]

DH happened to bring it up unprompted last night - making a suggestion for DD's big present.

I tend to buy year round as I see things I know various people will like, and add those to my spreadsheet and box of presents in the attic. But I only tend to talk about it on the Christmas topic here until at least September.

But I have over 50 people to buy for within the family and a couple of others like teacher and childminder as well. So spreading it out makes sense, even just logistically.

[Lollypop27]

Yanbu I am done for everyone else - just need to finish a quilt and bottle up the rhubarb vodka. I have some stocking fillers for my ds's and will start buying the 'big' gifts in September.

[sadwidow28]

I buy as I see bargains (and often buy job lots that will do for the multitude of great-nieces/nephews and other children I buy for). I buy 57 presents. That might mean starting in January.

But I found that when I got to December and time for wrapping, I tipped out the 3 boxes of 'goodies' and hadn't a clue who I had bought what for.

So now I have a annual spreadsheet that I update constantly......



Note to self....remember to put another great-nephew on the spreadsheet (born 4 weeks ago!)

[sadwidow28]

Oh I have just seen BiddyPop post.

I don't feel so sad now knowing that another person does the boxes in loft and spreadsheet!

[starlight2007]

Money is tight but not so tight that my school can't have nice presents for Xmas and birthday. He has a roof over his head and food on the table and if I choose to buy presents starting in July what difference does it make

None it is your choice ..however why are you posting on MN if you have an opinion already... I don't know my DS is getting older as he tends to want specfic things

[RachelRagged]

Nothing wrong in that . .YANBU

I may pick things up year long to put away if I have the money, ,only problem is remembering where I stashed them haha . Memory not good.

[I8toys]

Do what you want - I have started pre-ordering the games I know they will want at Christmas so that they won't sell out. Lego Dimensions and all the kit that goes with it. Leaving it nearer the time they will all be gone.

[SideOrderofChips]

I have a spreadsheet and i buy things, especially for adults, during the year in the sales.

[redexpat]

I plan a bit around our next trip to uk with car. Which is next week so have been browsing websites. You can get some great stuff in the uk that you cant in denmark, and its usually cheaper.

[Artandco]

Why do people buy so much stuff? How can people need to buy for 50+ people? Surely most people just buy for own children.

So for us, that's 2 children. So that's 2 main presents and a few stocking fillers. That's it. No buying for nieces, the old lady down the road, or the dog!

[Luciferbox]

I've started thinking about this too. I'm on maternity leave having just bought our first house so things will be tight for the next yr. I plan to do a little bit every month to spread the cost. DS1's birthday is just before Xmas too.

[ilovesooty]

Spreadsheet? Fuck me sideways with a bauble.

[Totality22]

To those of you with 50+ people to shop for can I ask - who the fuck are they all?

We have massive families but we draw the line at buying for siblings kids and that is it (our kids too). Even if we bought for everyone though we'd not come close to 50!!

Spreadsheet... now that sounds interesting. I loves lists!!

[pickingstrawberries]

That was an image!

[Janeymoo50]

I start buying in September, I use Aug/Sept/Oct pay packets and buy on Amazon* and put them away. Works really well for me. Novembers pay packet has to cover the Chrismas food (we don't get paid until the end of Dec). If I save it up then there is always something else that the money ends up being spent on, so buying the presents works best for me.

• Other online retailers are available

[Peshwari]

These days, if you wait until mid December to buy presents the sales have already started...

[MissDemelzaCarne]

YANBU to be doing it but YABU for not talking about it in the Christmas topic. with other like-minded mutters people.

[Stitchintime1]

Not unreasonable, but I wonder if it adds up to savings. I imagine one just buys all sorts of stuff throughout the year. And unless you have a spreadsheet, you could end up losing track of what you are spending.

[SuperFlyHigh]

I keep the occasional bits for extra Christmas presents. Eg a nice candle for someone, if I see something on sale which is themed and I know someone would like it I buy it now.