To have bought the majority of 2016 Christmas presents

[iwannadancewithsomebody]

Online, in the sales without leaving the comfort of my sofa?

Bargains include:

Half price Playmobil from Boots
Half price handbags and make up brushes from Debenhams
Half price VTech toys at Debenhams and some Disney stuff too
30/50% of jumpers from M&S
Massively discounted smellies from Tesco

And now I feel incredibly smug with my bargains,plus I remembered to use quidco

Has anyone else done the same or am I the only mad one?

[girlguide123]

you are being a great bargain hunter, but it's not something I would do.

anyway, it's my birthday soon - sales shopping is all about ME.

[revealall]

Masses of stuff was reduced or in the sales all December though. I can't see how you save anything as it will all look a bit out of date by next year.

[PrimalLass]

My 7-year-old wrote avert, very specific Santa list this year. So I really don't buy things in advance any more. I'd rather spend a bit extra.

[Makemineacabsauv]

I used todo this when my DC were toddlers and Debenhams did the 70%off sale! Just got them generic toys I knew they'd love - dolls pram, dolls house, Lego etc. had to stop as they grew up and were more specific about what they wanted!

[Hygge]

It's risky. Last year I bought something I knew DS would love in the summer, put it away ready for christmas and by the time he received it he wasn't really that bothered about it.

I wish I'd just given it to him in the summer when he would have loved it and been excited by it.

I didn't do that this year, I saved up and bought things I knew he wanted now.

If you are absolutely sure the people receiving the things you've bought won't buy them in the meantime or go off them by next Christmas, and you've got the storage space, then good for you though. Nothing wrong with getting a bargain present if you know the person you've bought it for will love it.

I always think this is the advantage to my January birthday, people can usually get me something in the sales that they wouldn't have got me for Christmas.

[Prettyinblue]

Well I think it is a brilliant idea. I buy all our kids Xmas and birthday stuff at car boots through out the year except the odd bits and bobs that I can't find. Save £100s over the year will 6 kids to buy for. Also it feels like a fuck you to the consumer hell that Xmas has become. I steer them away from faddy shite like frozen etc and go for classics like playmobil, Lego etc

If we weren't always completely skint by Jan I would do the same.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Great if you can pickup something like playmobil or Lego, but things like toiletry sets do have a shelf life and can separate or change smell/texture, wouldn't give these sets as gifts when they are well over a year old.

[iwannadancewithsomebody]

mrsGrady playmobil was on the boots website.

Here's the link for make up brushes incidental not a 50% discount but 33%, still a good buy through quidco m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_121530013299_-1

[d270r0]

I have bought cheap wrapping paper in the sales, and a few little very cheap bits, christmas socks etc., to go in my sisters advent calendar next year. Was tempted by the sales in hotel chocolat but it all goes out of date mid 2016! I have bought toys and books for my dcs very early in the past, and will continue to do so but don't buy main presents early for adults, I'd rather wait until october at the earliest and get something they actually want. Things like toiletry gift sets or make up brushes are just so generic, I'd rather get something the recipient really likes.

[coffeeisnectar]

I can't even think about next Xmas, I'm just relieved this one is over.

However, our iron is not working well so I've got a fantastic new one I bought in the sale coming this week. My birthday is next week. Dp asked if I'd like it for my birthday. I hope he was joking!!

But there's no way I can predict what anyone will want next year. Or what they will be given for birthdays or buy for themselves.

[notquitehuman]

Hmm I think by the time next year rolls round I'd probably have lost half the bits I brought, and the boxes would probably get dusty and damaged in my cupboards. Plus if the landlord doesn't renew our lease it'll be a PITA having to move boxes of pressies! So I think I'll just get an early start on next year.

[Industrialhelicopter]

When my son was little he loved playmobil knights. Like many playmobil lovers he liked 1 or 2 kinds- not them all. He loved looking at the brochure and choosing what set. DSIS asked what he would like for Christmas- I said playmobil knights, if possible with a dragon in it. Lots of options under £25 at the time.

She bought an enormous playmobil airport- cost £60 but was on a 3 for 2 at boots and then a pre- shopping bonus points day or some such thing- so it was a 'bargain' . Gave the other 2 sets to my DD and DN, neither of whom liked playmobil. DS had little interest in the airport, DSIS built it on the day and to the best of my knowledge it is now in our loft virtually unused. Playmboli isn't generic- children like what they like.

She could have spent £20 and got what he wanted but in order to pile them high and look flash she spent more because it was a 'bargain' and it was wasted. Of course I spent the usual £25 on her children and then probably looked tight by comparison.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

Pointless, joyless and weird, and indicates a compulsive shopping habit to be looking at excuses for more crap to buy days after Christmas.

[MistressDeeCee]

Wow thats venomous Obsidian. I thought the parade pissing was over on 1st page how would you like someone to land on here calling you that? Did the OP post that she enjoys killing animals or something?

I read an article earlier today complaining about men slagging off women but to my mind women are FAR worse when commenting about each other its ridiculous. Really descriptive in many instances and designed to make another woman feel like absolute shit.

"Joyless" you said? Your comment makes you sound like a Dementor

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

Agree, Mistress.

I am getting seriously sick to death of the judgemental bullshit that comes up on this board more and more often it seems. Why does ANYONE deserve to have their character assassinated over a choice that happens to be different from your own??

Some people seriously need to step out of their very singular "my way is the only right way" worldview. This place would be a bore-fest if we all did the same shit, had the same opinions, etc.

A "good for you, OP; I personally wouldn't do this but each to their own" would suffice.

[BadlyBehavedShoppingTrolley]

My MIL for years always gave me things that were so obviously either re-gifted, or picked up at the sales throughout the year as they were often marked on the packaging as reduced/overstock etc, or they were not seasonally appropriate. I realise people like a bargain but it did always have a bit of a cheapskate 'this will do for her' sort of taint to it. And the PILs are very well off so money was not the issue.

It was a relief to all when we finally agreed to stop buying presents for the adults I think.

[BadlyBehavedShoppingTrolley]

and with things like M&S jumpers, unless it's a very generic plain design, you run the risk of someone realising it's last years sale stock. They won't be able to return it if it doesn't fit.

[BadlyBehavedShoppingTrolley]

I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, OP, but I do think you need to be a bit careful/clever about it, if it is not to look like exactly what it is.

[Believeitornot]

Yabu

I only buy wrapping paper and decorations in January. Presents - too risky

[Roussette]

Maybe us non early buyers have experience like the M&S jumper. I have a friend who has form for this and it is very annoying, a handbag from Coast one year that they said (when I tried to take it back as it really wasn't my style) it was from years ago in the Sales. We spend about £35-£50 each. It's pretty obvious you can't get a handbag from Coast along with other gifts too, for that much money. It doesn't make you feel very special to get a years old sale item.

She has realised that it isn't worth it I think because her presents were lovely this year.

[merrymouse]

Depends on the recipient.

If you want to buy a young child a large classic toy like a play kitchen or a doll's house now is a good time (If you can store it for a year). I'm also very predictable and like getting socks for Christmas. I doubt fashions in socks will have changed that much next year.

On the other hand I can't imagine buying all presents now, and I'm not convinced that the January sales offer the best savings and range of goods.

(And this is AIBU - of course posters are disagreeing with the OP! Have just checked and there are at least 2 supportive Christmas 2016 threads in the Christmas topic)

[Jibberjabberjooo]

There are sales throughout the year so I don't see the rush in buying everything now.

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

Disagreeing isn't the problem, the degree to which the disagreeing is taken sometimes is.

[WyrdByrd]

C'mon, it is possible to buy in the sales & be choosy!

I saw loads of stuff in Boots & Superdrug that my DD would love, so revisited their sites on Boxing Day. As it turned out there was only one item left which I've bought for £30 off, although I probably won't keep it for her until next Christmas.

I've made up a lovely goodie bag from Campus Gifts for my friend who turns 40 next week and bought a last minute gift for someone for this year (we weren't expecting to get anything from them and won't see them until later this week).

Otherwise I've just checked out favourite websites that are usually that little bit too expensive to justify, and been bought lots of new clothes for myself !