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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

105 replies

keyboardkate · 30/08/2018 16:21

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?

OP posts:
sueelleker · 31/08/2018 10:34

I hate Roses-they're so sickly!

Roussette · 31/08/2018 11:03

How does it affect you?

It doesn't! It's just a thread on a discussion forum, that's all.

I'm off on my summer holidays anyway so Christmas couldn't be further off my radar Grin

trancepants · 31/08/2018 11:18

If you get Christmas sorted now then you don't have anything to actually worry about come December and can actually focus on just enjoying yourself. I'd absolutely fucking hate to have to worry about planning stuff and buying shit in November/December. It would be impossible to enjoy Christmas in a fun childlike way, just soaking up the festivities and anticipation, if I had my head full of shit that needed doing. What a rotten way to spend December.

But if you do that shit it April/May/June/July/August/September (at a pinch) it's really easy as it's just a little bit here and there and it's like having a fun, cosy secret hiding in your brain. Every time I buy DS another Christmas present, either from what he wants or a super surprise, I have this little bit of anticipation of how happy and excited he'll be so on a dull, wet Tuesday in April, I get a little shot of future happiness to think about. Why in the name of fuck would anyone want to stress themselves out at a time when there is so much fun to be had instead of piece by piece injecting a little fun into blah days throughout the year? Especially when the stress free extra fun way is also soooooooo much cheaper.

katienana · 31/08/2018 11:40

I like to start properly after ds1 birthday in early October. Otherwise I find it tricky to work out what to get him.
But I have discussed arrangements already e.g. where we will be on Xmas day, I'm hosting boxing day, what Santa activities we want to do. I think it's better to let people know on advance so everyone can figure out how we'll fit in seeing the whole family.

Believeitornot · 31/08/2018 11:43

It would be impossible to enjoy Christmas in a fun childlike way, just soaking up the festivities and anticipation, if I had my head full of shit that needed doing. What a rotten way to spend December

Nah. The thing about Christmas is thinking oooo what will the kids like and enjoy. Seeing their enjoyment. The presents bit is but a tiny part of it. Seeing family, having them around, seeing the panto etc is the big deal.

Roussette · 31/08/2018 11:48

What a rotten way to spend December

My answer to that is 'what a rotten way to spend August or September'!

The only time I bought presents in advance, they were just piled up somewhere, I got more and ended up spending twice as much and everyone was treated far too generously!

whereisthepostman · 31/08/2018 12:09

YABU its getting to the time of year when the Christmas cakes and puddings and mincemeat need to be made, events and parties need to be booked and budgets have to be looked at. Christmas is a big event and I don't think its too outrageous to start planning for it 4 months ahead of time. Its not as though everyone has their trees up and Slade on the radio while they're booking the office Christmas party.

trancepants · 31/08/2018 12:15

My answer to that is 'what a rotten way to spend August or September'!

Way to selectively quote. As I pointed out in the following sentences you ignored. You aren't spending August or September doing it. You just do a bit here or there, throughout the year. See a bargain that your mum/child/partner would love. Grab it, note it down, feel a shot of anticipatory glee. Move back on with your summer. It's ten minutes of your day every so often. And the next time you see that person, you'll smile to yourself knowing that you have something that will make them really happy. (Or if it's more of an obligation present - like the one I get DS to give XH - feel relieved that you have one less tedious job to think of.) You don't overbuy because you won't be doing crappy shopping in December. You'll be chilling out, soaking up the atmosphere.

Then come December all you have left to do is have fun. Look, there is a reason why so many Christmas lovers do our shopping early. Sure some of it is loving Christmas so much that we like to enjoy a little reminder all year. But it's a chicken and egg thing. The Christmas of someone who can relax their way through it, is an utterly different holiday to that of someone who has loads of extra work to do. Unless you specifically get off on shopping in crowds with a short time frame to fill a set list, you are not experiencing the same joyful holiday as someone who's main focus is whether adding both Baileys and marshmallows to their hot chocolate is overkill.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 31/08/2018 12:16

I am already ordering thousands of pounds worth of craft stuff

WHY?

trancepants · 31/08/2018 12:21

Nah. The thing about Christmas is thinking oooo what will the kids like and enjoy. Seeing their enjoyment. The presents bit is but a tiny part of it. Seeing family, having them around, seeing the panto etc is the big deal.

That's my point though. Having all that sorted, planned for/booked in advance makes it easier to just chill and enjoy. I got front row centre tickets to the big panto this NYD. Front row centre!!!! They are like gold dust. I had a once off opportunity to book them in March with a 15% discount. What part of kick, bollock, scrambling for the least worst, Jan 4th, full price seats, in late November would be better?

Roussette · 31/08/2018 12:26

trance I know we are all different, but vive la difference, in that my brain will not even 'go there' until November or December. Now... of course, if I happened to see a real bargain in June and I knew a member of family wanted it, yes of course I would buy it.

But as I said before, when I tried to shop early throughout the year, I ended up spending far more. If Christmas is at my house, yes I cook and put stuff in the freezer during December but bearing in mind that three of us have birthdays in November, I cannot cope with doing Christmas stuff till they are over.

Also, my DCs are now all adults so I suppose that makes a difference. Also, you are a Christmas lover. I'm not. I love seeing my DCs for lots of days, we do all the traditions exactly the same as when they were little, we have a fab time playing games and mixing cocktails but I find it a total consumerist nightmare and I'm very happy when it's over!

StealthNinjaMum · 31/08/2018 12:41

It's not really one day though is it? If you have extended family all over the place then it can be spread out over a few weeks. We have relatives who live abroad and relatives with holiday homes and organising a get together can be a big effort. (We also have relatives who don't like each other so have to take that into account.) Mil is old fashioned traditional and spends months making Christmas puddings and cakes and likes to know how many to do early. I expect many people are the same.

Also in our area many things like Santa Claus visits are booked up by September and some theatres sell out early. Dd1 has always wanted to see nutcracker and it was thanks to a mums netter I knew when to get tickets last year (September I believe) before they sold out.

Op yabu.

RightyHoChaps · 31/08/2018 13:11

As a musician, we generally start rehearsing for Christmas concerts in September.

Always feels bloody weird. But it takes preparation.

Aside from that though, I avoid Xmas things like the plague until November 😂

PolkerrisBeach · 31/08/2018 13:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

butterflysugarbaby · 31/08/2018 13:21

ESPECIALLY for the OP, and the other rude and nasty individuals on here, who feel it's OK to mock and berate and insult people, who get excited about Christmas, and start to plan it early.

BAH FUCKING HUMBUG! Hmm

To think Christmas talk/problems/logistics in AUGUST is OTT
Roussette · 31/08/2018 13:26

I haven't insulted anyone, I've just pointed out I think it's too early. That's an opinion. We all have 'em !

butterflysugarbaby · 31/08/2018 13:32

Not aimed at you @Roussette.

A few people have been quite bitchy though. The rudest comment is the one directly above me.

DollyWilde · 31/08/2018 13:52

I'm not really one for buying presents before October/November, but DH and I have to wrestle our managers into sorting out the Christmas rota every summer. I worked last year and no way am I doing it this year (team of 6, one person must be in the office every 'working' day).

A few years back, DH was working in a team of 2 and despite having had the previous year off, his colleague booked the entirety of Christmas off for a second year running. Driving 250 miles to his mum's at 6pm on Christmas Eve and then the 250 miles back at 6pm on Boxing Day was a distinctly unmerry Christmas.

Treats · 31/08/2018 14:00

I like planning for Christmas. I like thinking about what food we’ll eat and what presents to get people. I usually start about now in thinking what to buy people and looking at recipes etc. In the past I’ve confined myself to bookmarking recipes and making gift lists, but what tends to happen is that I run out of time to actually make things or the shops get so full of Christmas tat that it’s hard to find the things I actually wanted to buy. So this year, I’m not waiting. I’m going to make mincemeat this weekend because I never have time to make my own normally and I think i’ll really enjoy it. I’ve bought my children some gifts already because I’m worried they’ll run out of the things I want if I wait. I can enjoy browsing and comparing what’s on offer in different shops because there’s no time pressure and it’s not horribly crowded.

Come December, i’ll have enjoyed the last few months of shopping and cooking and will have time to relax and enjoy the season with everyone else.

Batteriesallgone · 31/08/2018 14:01

I’m the kind of person who is already planning my veg patch for next year. I have tiny little ‘starting’ fruit trees in tiny pots and I’m already planning where they will go when big enough to go out for most of the year - which is 5 years time ShockGrin

I’m a planner. It’s not just Christmas. And I like it. I like Christmas in part because of the planning. Nothing is ever ‘just one day’ for me.

ForalltheSaints · 31/08/2018 14:13

Planning travel and if needed accommodation I am OK with and understand. Shopping for Christmas I wish did not happen until the beginning of December.

stevie69 · 31/08/2018 14:22

Well, I've booked our Christmas Day dinner. Maz And Faz ( the rents) are getting on a bit and they'd get jittery if it weren't sorted.

Sis is spending it with her DP and his family so tis just me, mum and dad. Nobody wants me Grin

BiddyPop · 31/08/2018 14:48

OOh, I forgot that I had planned part of my dinner a couple of months back, when I planted some sprouting broccoli plants in the hopes they'd be ready by then.

I am not so good at growing dinner nowadays - I had an allotment for 5 years and had got quite good at having brocolli, brussels sprouts and parsnips straight from the plot, with onions and garlic in the shed, and some peas and beans frozen from the summer, for the Christmas dinner table. But that does all take planning and coordination months ahead of time.

2rebecca · 31/08/2018 14:53

Our xmas and new year trips tend to involve 8 hour drives and days off work so handy to know who is going where. When kids were small other parents as we're both divorced also needed involving.

Roussette · 31/08/2018 15:00

I'm a planner as far as holidays are concerned, because I love love love my holidays and just spend hours on planning what to do when we get there, where to visit etc.

I probably don't plan for Christmas so much because although I love having the DCs altogether here for days, I am really not much of a Christmas fan. The day is fine, we have fun, but I don't get excited by it all. I just love having my adult kids here because I miss them. I am trying to think back as to whether I did more when the kids were little ...not sure.