Thank you for the replies
I too think some people have been unnecessarily harsh, I'm far from a smug shopper.
The main reason we have bought presents early is because I'm pretty sure I won't have an income from next month so wanted to buy whilst i had money.
I'm a carer for my disabled DS and after being out of work for two years I took on a role which worked for my family but required me to register as self employed, as such I have no employment protection, and it's not looking as though I'm going to be needed again before Christmas / if they decide to keep me on at all.
This is the first year DSS has mentioned anything about a Christmas list. In previous years he has been telling us what he wants for Christmas by mid year, believe it or not!
There was also the worry about whether shops would indeed be open in December, or whether we would be able to get anything online with everything selling out as people frantically try to salvage a decent Christmas in the circumstances of the pandemic.
DH isn't flapping about it as much as I am, he said not to worry and we will see what we can do.
DSS has long since told his mum what he wanted for Christmas (his main present) so she has been able to buy that early as she knew for certain he wanted it, but he had no idea what to ask for when it came to us - and we did ask a handful of times before buying anything.
My biggest worry now is him presenting us with a list of expensive things, expecting all of them, and then being sad when they don't materialise 