To do Santa letters?

[Rubbleonthedouble1]

So this year has been massively difficult as it has for many people.
DH is self employed in an industry ruined by covid so no work this year. I was seriously ill in summer and have had to reduce my working hours to part time so money is massively massively tight. We barely scrape through anyway.
I’m thinking of getting my children to write their letters to Santa now so that we have more time to get what they want second hand or in sales etc? My children don’t usually ask for much from Santa and they probably get one or two things from their list so it won’t be loads. All other presents we collect through the year.
DH thinks it’s massively early. What do you think?
YABU far too early to do letters
YANBU do them now so you know what they’d like and you can keep an eye out on marketplace etc.

It's massively early.

A) they might change their minds
B) it's getting them thinking about Christmas for too long

It would be better not to the official list at all if you are trying to budget and just look for things you think they will like and buy them when they are a good price.

I'm not convinced that starting shopping early is a way to save money.

I think it's fine, I always try to get the DC presents with September pay and this year I wanted to be sure they have what they want for Christmas with all the other stuff they have to deal with this year so it's all already ordered. No such thing as too early, as long as they're not too likely to change their minds!

I think you could use covid as an excuse to the kids. Something like 'Santa's elves have to abide by social distancing too so they need longer this year to make the presents'.

We’ve been talking about it already, especially as Santa has to be super ready this year because the elves can’t work so closely together like at school they can’t work too close to their friends.