To not have Christmas lists ready in October?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

‘For budgeting reasons’ (whatever that is) my in laws want to start their Christmas shopping and have messaged asking for Christmas lists. In October.

Our children are older so I don’t have to think of things exactly (though I do usually have some thoughts) but again it’s October, so the subject of Christmas hasn’t even come up yet.

Should I be sitting the kids down now to make Christmas lists/ideas? I think they’d be thinking or things for the sake of it at this stage just so in laws can tick them off.

Why do some people do this? It really sucks the joy out of it and turns it in to a chore. Why does it matter if i get back to them end of November/beginning of December? They do all their shopping online anyway!

I'm with you OP!!

I get asked in bloody SEPTEMBER!!

and for those saying "surely they know what they want? Just ask them to make a list?"

Yes that's a fantastic suggestion why didn't I think of that? And then in December when DS writes his letter to Santa containing NOTHING that he put on his list in September I'll just spend twice as much money so that he at least had a few things he's asked for....

Not to mention how you explain to young children who still believe in Santa why you're asking them to "make a list" in OCTOBER when they want to write a letter to Santa ooooh I don't know, in December?

And on what planet do children still want the same things they did 3 months ago?

Can't you tell this is a bugbear of mine?

I’ve done a lot of my Christmas shopping already and have asked people and been asked if there is anything they/kids want. I don’t think it’s unusual. Gives you chance to shop around for best price etc. I love buying presents for people so enjoy the process

Most people have already purchased the majority of Christmas presents, so am surprised you haven’t even thought what your dc might like yet.

Really? I do my shopping in mid December, thank goodness for amazon prime! Usually we get 70-80% in one order then I pick up the remainder at the massive Asda and sweets from Aldi (best truffles for the money). Just can't be doing with shopping before the tree goes up.

I have my list and budget ready on 1st Sept (copy & paste from the previous year)! Like who doesn't?

This year going even simpler - dd#1 wants money towards university, dd#2 wants money towards laptop for university and we've bought my parents a holiday (we are going too) joint with birthdays. In laws can get the normal toiletries and sweets combo they give us every year and a voucher for dinner. Food shopping is even easier, I give mum £100!

redpriest loads of people!! I don’t think I’ve ever managed to even think about Xmas presents until November and I certainly don’t know anyone with a list ready to go in September! Op YANBU!

All these wonderful people who cant understand that some people cant afgord Xmas all at once i wish i xpuld leave my xmas shopping untill December not only am i on a budget but ds1 birthday os on boxing day

AamdC that part I understand, so surely you decide a budget per person and start putting that money aside? Why do you need to purchase the physical gifts early? It pisses me off to have to think about Xmas any earlier than November! I’m with the OP on this

When you say that DC are older, I am not sure how old you mean! But I don't think it is unreasonable to ask teens now what grandma/aunty Jane etc can buy them for Christmas. I wouldn't ask younger children as they will inevitably change their mind!
If I were you, I would also decide now if I was going to buy a games console or not. Because if you are, it would help if the in laws bought games/accessories.

Or just move on to the people that you do know what you want to get?

Well bevause being on a limited budget means just that surely ypu undetstand rjat when people arny well off when sudden bills crop. Up you would use tje xmas money oe do you not undetstand not having spare money??

Sorry i have a cracked scteen my spelling is awful

If people are that precarious with their finances then they won’t be going out spending tons of money on presents! They indeed should prioritise their bills, not be worrying they they can’t meet unexpected expenses because they’ve spent every penny on gifts sitting in the spare room in October.

Unless you have kids of course op,sometimes i wish i lived a perfect mums mnet life

Your own kids yes of course! But not other people’s and that’s what my thread is about!

Most people have already purchased the majority of Christmas presents

No, we haven't. In fact most people I know want to get Halloween out the way first.

YANBU. I haven't a clue what I want and I'm not a small child whose interests change monthly. It was only my birthday last week!

We're not long back from our summer holiday. Sod Christmas at the moment, and we are definitely on a fairly tight budget too.

Yes we haven’t even had our holiday yet! We go away at half term.

We also work on a tight budget, and definitely don’t leave things to the last minute (we’re actually quite organised) but we save the money through the year and buy gifts whenever we decide what to get. We certainly don’t harass people in October.

Anyway I’ve asked the kids to start thinking of some ideas. I worry they’ll pick things for the sake of it and then see something they actually want closer to the time. That’s the risk we take I guess. As long as in laws are happy...

I don't see while they'll think of things for the sake of it now but not if you asked them in a months time? If they do it's not the end of the world anyway.

OP, that they may see things now and then change their minds in a month or two's time is a risk their grandparents are taking, I suppose, Not you..

So I'd let it happen, and beyond that do Christmas your preferred way, which is also the way very many of us prefer too.

Personally, I would prefer Christmas not to be an annual event, but it is and will always be. That is just me being a Christmas humbug, I know.

Tell the kids the have until 25th Oct or 1st Nov to make a list/ideas. Then only 2 months til Christmas so shouldn’t change their minds. But definitely they need time to think about it and change their minds!

Definitely start Amazon wish lists, I have mine and DD's going all year so that birthdays & christmas are covered without too much effort.

At least they ask what to get.

Sorry your in laws want to buy your kids something they actually want? Maybe they dont want to go in the hot horrible shops in December i know i dont also prices go up in December as theres less offers on!?

Could be worse, OP. I am not a Christmas fan in any way, but do quite enjoy choosing presents which I think people will like.

The inlaws see the whole thing as a purely financial transaction. They don't buy presents or gift vouchers. They transfer a set amount per adult and per child into our bank account on 1st December with an instruction to get something nice with it.

It's shit and I hate it. In a perverse way I'd rather have an unsiotable present - at least it shows they've bothered to actually consider what we might like rather than just transferring cash.