To think Christmas talk/problems/logistics in AUGUST is OTT

[keyboardkate]

Sorry now.

Am I alone in thinking this? I do realise that some people have to plan for overseas/up and down country visits in both directions.

But is it a bit early to generally open topics about Christmas in August?

Depends on the topic/logistic. Me and exP have to sort out contact for DD a year in advance, so we discussed xmas in June

Depends, I've already made it clear to parents on both sides I'll be going nowhere this Christmas and we won't be hosting a houseful as we have in previous years, baby is due December 20th whether I've given birth or not I won't be involved in family Christmas plans, travelling all over it having a mob descend on us on Christmas Day. Sometimes DM in particular needs clear communication

Because of budget. I have to start buying Christmas presents after the last birthday in September.

I live abroad so i have to plan and book flights earlier so there cheaper

I’ve just had a conversation with DH about Christmas. I said I’d buy the kids Christmas collectible items that we’ve been getting them if he bought advent calendars. Works out about the same.

I assume you would organise the logistics of a summer holiday in advance, usually by months also. I see no difference.

I did say that those with logistical issues might need to this in August, or maybe earlier.

Oh gosh no, August is when Xmas days get booked up, all slots gone by mid September, those of us shackled to relatives we don't want to see will start to get bombarded with emails and plans... Trying to pin us down...

I start buying Christmas presents in September to spread the cost so I generally do start thinking about it then.

Some people have big family Christmases involving family members from all over the country/world so those logistics have to be worked out well in advance.

Often works Christmas parties are planned around now.

I have a lot of siblings and nieces and nephews, etc. We plan a year in advance to make sure we’re all together!

How nice for you OP that you don’t have to stress months in advance about budget and logistics for Christmas. Some of us have very different lives though.

@LostINShoebiz

I don't think I said anything of the sort. Did I?

Then why are you judging people who start now, because they have to or want to, as OTT? You’d hardly be saying that if it applied to you. Unless you’re just horrendously, embarrassingly disorganised and should start now.

It completely depends on your individual circumstances.
DH and I have to start thinking about it early for a couple of reasons. DD's birthday is very close to Christmas, as are three other close family members, so finances dictate we have to spread present buying out across the year. PIL are extremely difficult about Christmas, they refuse to leave their home for the duration and demand everyone comes to them. It doesn't occur to them that I also have a family who might like to see us at some point over Christmas or that we might actually want some time at home. They start badgering us about it in August/September and we've found that the best thing is to for us to reach a compromise early on or drama ensues later.

I was referring to posts that people make in August.

No problem with the Christmas Board, each to their own. Or those who may have to plan around distant families etc.

But wondering about those who post outside that board. That's all.

Christmas can be a total nightmare for some. But honestly deepest November is probably a good fit for anything other than the Christmas threads for that stuff.

The days are light now, the leaves are turning, the days are getting shorter, kids back in a school routine, there is a teeny chill in the air. All good. But Christmas is nowhere in sight yet.

Nowhere in sight for you maybe. I’m already booking meetings up to March next year, DH2 is much the same, so Christmas logistics are a very live concern at the moment, as they are for lots of people.

People rarely post on the actual boards op for all sorts of subjects.

Very true Morethan.

Only because we have Christmas on our own so have to coordinate visiting dates with both families (and now with siblings and their partners), so it's a bit of a mammoth undertaking to get a date that works for everyone and book a meal out. It's on my mental radar throughout the year but only logistics are discussed this early (I do have half of the presents though!)

I accept all your points.

Apart from AUGUST as a starting point though. Sorry.

Seems to me, the minute the Summer kids hols are over, well what can we moan about next.

Well that would be Christmas surely!

Don't take things too seriously, it was a genuine question.

The fact that very few replied means I was probably ok with the post, in general.

I have a reminder in my phone to buy Santa train ride tickets first thing on Sept 1st. They will sell out quickly and cost about 3 times what I usually hope they would be and I have 3 kids...other than that, I shall watch out for the decorations in our local garden centre, listen to my mum's disgust at the commercialisation of this wonderful pagan Christian festival and quietly enjoy it all. Then have the annual conversation with MiL about why I will not allow my children to eat a meal with bullying, abusive FiL, appease DH by agreeing to drive home from that particular non mealtime visit, then relax.

I don’t think it’s OTT. You start to see restaurants advertising Christmas meals at this time of year so it’s not ridiculous to consider what you’d like to do at August. I’ve needed to sort out childcare cover for the school holidays so that involves arranging with my parents where we are going to be well in advance. I don’t actively look for Christmas presents at this time of year but if something came up now then I would buy it now. In a way I prefer thinking about Christmas long before the event. At the end of a warm summer it’s quite exciting to be thinking of cosy winter nights ahead full of Christmas cheer. When it comes to November I’m pretty bored of hearing Slade, watching the crappy adverts and hearing about everyone’s family politics.

Yes! One week before is perfectly early enough. I received a Christmas gift catalogue at the weekend which went directly into recycling without being opened.

I have to plan ahead.

Christmas is a crazy busy time for me, I am already ordering thousands of pounds worth of craft stuff, thinking about preserves and flavoured spirits.
I have to think well in advance otherwise christmas would be a damp squib.

I put in a pre-order for an LOL surprise dolls (whatever they’re called) house this morning because otherwise DD will see them on TV in Dec, ask for one for Christmas and then I will have to either spend my every waking moment hunting one down, or sell a kidney to buy one off E-bay. Not this year - I’m cooking with gas this year!