To be amazed at how many christmas themed threads there are?!

[LegoShmego]

Well the active thread list is showing alot more movement in the christmas topic, and I've seen a few in the chat thread recently too!

It's September ffs!!!!

Fair enough if your looking for deals.

But to talk about which wrapping paper theme your going for, or whether or not to do a christmas eve box (whatever the fuck that is!)

I even saw christmas cards in the works the other day.... it gave me slight rage!

Why prolong the experience more than you have to?!

Wouldn't go within a million miles of the Christmas board. Each to her own but I just wish people would keep it over there.

The whole thing is a plot to create even more work for busy women. Don't fall for it

And to buy tonnes of pointless shit that nobody wants or needs.

If people want to make special trips to any-bloomin-where for Christmas you had to book 2 months ago...

We are going to see the Harry Potter tour in it's "winter" dressing. Try getting a mid morning slot when you leave it to December... (or any timeslot/date) good luck.

Same with the panto. Same with the Carols by candlelight etc... you can still get seats, but the good ones have long gone.

I suppose if you are booking to go and see something that's 5 minutes online and job done. Then you can forget about it til December.

What on earth does the 'winter dressing' involve?

What on earth does the 'winter dressing' involve?

The hall is decked out for Christmas, the common rooms too, Christmas trees like in the films, the castle has a coat of snow - just like they did it in the films... they do this from mid Nov to mid Jan - we have booked for the school hols just before Christmas.

(and had to make sure to book the dog kennels long ago because Christmas weeks are fully booked by September )

You have started a thread about Christmas!

Ah, totally edmund I completely understand people who like to get a head start on present buying as sometimes the prices can go up before christmas, or it's easier to spread the cost.
But worrying about whos parents you'll be visiting 1st in September is bonkers (imo!!) Congrats btw

Oh I don't plan to notso.... I find that if I start too early (and early for me, is the beginning of December) I spend to much!

Some people love it. For them thinking about Christmas is a joyful thing and preparation for it is a happy time that they wish to prolong.

If you don't like it and don't wish to be reminded of it you can just scroll right on by. Why on earth would you get all het up about someone else doing something utterly harmless that makes them happy?

Marmite - exactly.

You've just started another one!!

I agree justkeep.... I don't want to be the stressed out mess for months before hand. Then have a massive anticlimax on the day and realise that it totally wasn't worth it!

Sparkling I have a really hatred for those 3 for 2 offers in boots. Basically, anyone that buys one of them has not given any thought in it and is just buying aimlessly. I bet even buying them without knowing who they're even going to give them to yet!.... Amazon prime is my best friend in December

I did not realise that dear How do I hide the topic?

A hobby?! ummmmgogo

unihorn.... I totally get the present planning, although I'd prefer to save over the next 3 paychecks and then buy stuff in December. But again, it's because I know I'd buy way more than needed if I started any earlier. I do love christmas too, and I'm often found in the christmas topic lots in December, but I do find that starting too early does take the shine off it..... I don't want to be bored of it before December even arrives.

I remember that lonica when I was a teenager. Christmas was very low key, I'd go to the pub with friends from school and my mum & stepdad would chill out at home. Maybe have a couple of friendly neighbours round of an evening for drinks...... There'd be no huge displays of show off decorations and presents.

CJC I reckon enough people do that for it to become a theme.

That's what I'm worried about KC225.... I keep seeing snippets on the active threads page and I'm worried that if I open one up I'll never be able to leave and I'll be sucked in!! I do love christmas, but I can't start too early for my own sanity and the sake of my bank balance.

YY I never buy the 3 for 2 stuff in Boots as it shows zero thought whatsoever and it's a huge swizz anyway.

YY to getting Christmas delivered. So much quicker.

Ah beyond I've never got in to all the organised events stuff.... mostly because I'm so unorganised . But the Harry potter tour ln 'winter dressing' sounds fab!.... I'm imagining Hogsmead, the Three Broomsticks & some butterbeer..... I might try and recreate in a country pub somewhere (if it snows!)

I know marmite

holger But I am reminded of it, just by seeing the thread title (which is basically what I have done to others starting this thread ..... I then find myself thinking about christmas, and mentally planning. Then I get all cross with myself and shove it out of my head and think this is ridiculous, it's September ffs!

LegoShmego we don't do all the presents-overload and general "Christmas food" stuff - we go places, enjoy time together - we all have too much "stuff" already, some bath salts from boots doesn't float my Christmas boat...

It isn't as if family time at Christmas is precious because OH works from home and I work part time so we are both at home a lot. We always eat together as a family and spend a lot of time together anyway. Christmas is just more of the same really.

It will be different when DD goes to university.

Sounds ideal beyond.... I've started this thread thinking that christmas starts too early, and now I'm wondering what events we could do

Yeah, it'll be nice to have your dd back at christmas when she's in uni lonicera

I started xmas shopping in August because we are on such a tight budget and it means we can spread the cost more. Previously i wouldn't have started that early but needs must

but the clock is ticking Maryz, there is no time to lose. Best to get sprouts today just in case.

www.xmasclock.com/

Four months of this, and people worrying about finances.

Top tip - stop buying horrible wasteful shit. Get a life and enjoy the days before the sodding clocks go back.

I'll drink to that special.

I try not buy presents that are 'pointless tat'. For that reason, when I see somewhat I know will be just right for a particular person, I buy. Whenever that might be. This year, I bought the first present for 2017 in March. A couple of years ago, I stumbled across the perfect gift, at a price I could afford, for a relative on 23rd December. So I bought it and stored it carefully until the following Christmas. I've not seen them at the same price since. Relative was extremely happy and uses it often. I often buy presents when I'm visiting a different place, or on holiday. It helps spread the cost but also ensures that the gifts are not the awful 'special purchase'type things that I see in stores.
As far as themes go, I don't do them. I find them a bit sad really. So my tree is a hotch-potch of decorations bought over the last 30 odd years, I buy one new decoration every year.
Don't do themed paper or table settings either. I buy what I like. We have our Christmas table cloth, napkins etc. But again, they are almost as old as our marriage.

Some people do make far more work than they need to about Christmas, that elf on a shelf nonsense does seem to need planning months in advance. (We don't do that)

I have started vaguely thinking about it, after discovering that because we need to take our dcs to see Father Christmas on a weekend this year (DH has changed jobs), I'm already too late to book a slot at several grottos near us, and most don't do "turn up on the day" now, you have to prebook. So have joined the masses and have booked now.

I think the Ocado Christmas delivery slots open soon, but that's normally a case of holding the slot with 4/5 bottles of wine then waiting until end of November to edit the order for what I really want (and hope I remember or else we have wine and nothing else for Christmas lunch!)

Also Dc1's birthday is in December, previous years we've had a party between Christmas and new year, when his classmates who haven't gone away are bored, parents are skint and love us for putting on a party that entertains the kids for a few hours. But again, this year DH has to work that week, so I've grudgingly accepted if we are holding a party on a Saturday in December, I better book it soon to avoid clashing with various Christmas parties. I don't want to think about it yet!

Also those with little children, they change their mind about what they want! If you buy the big gift now, chances are by November they'll want something different. (Or are other people's children more consistent?)

"Four months of this, and people worrying about finances."

I do worry about finances, so I've started planning early.

I've been seriously ill for nearly two years. I'm getting better. So I've treated myself to 'A Christmas Carol" at the Old Vic (I'm in Liverpool), I've got my Hotel cheap and train tickets on 12 week advance.

I can't drive because of my illness/medication, so everything takes planning.

My Granddaughter is a lovely age (3), so I've got things planned with her and my DD and youngest baby Granddaughter.

My youngest was into Manga etc, I ordered a lot from China/Japan and had to do it around now.

I've got family Birthdays in October/November and December which will mean meals/trips out.

Likewise there's Halloween Parties/Trips.

It isn't all about buying stuff.