To think people have a superiority complex about leaving Christmas shopping late?

[windturbines]

I've just been on a thread and I noticed a few snide comments directed at the OP for shopping early for Christmas. Presumably, late October-early November. Which, in my opinion (and this year especially) is the most sensible thing to do, funds permitting?

I'm aware some need more time to save up, etc, but if you can afford to shop early, I don't see why it's a bad thing. Leaving shopping until mid and late December doesn't make you anymore festive, does it?

I personally would never run around the shops on Christmas Eve trying to find everything but I wouldn't judge someone who does. However, it seems like it's fair game to give off at someone who is organised early?

YABU - It's weird to shop for Christmas early
YANBU - Shopping early is the only way!

I tend to start in September. I have 5 DC so need to spread the cost out somehow . My Mum has always bought gifts throughout the year whenever she sees something on offer or whatever. Everyone does it their own way, there’s no right or wrong way to buy presents.

I shop early because I know I will worry too much, if I leave it later. Plus, I do most of it online, so I do need to factor in delivery time. I wish I was less of a worrier, and could be more relaxed about it all, but I know I can’t, so forward planning and doing things early is best for me.

People find all kinds of stupid things to feel superior about. Best just to leave them to their delusions and do what’s best for you.

Each to his own, but I also think some people are snobbish about it. People manage to be snobbish about anything and everything!

I'm a late shopper (not Xmas Eve but I don't start til late Nov normally but I am considering starting a bit earlier this year)

I don't think I'm superior at all, I just don't want to think about/plan for Xmas til mid Nov at the earliest. I find Xmas prep stressful and my logic is that I don't want that stress spoiling Oct & Nov as well as Dec! I don't really care what others choose to do but I don't want to hear about it. If you want to do your Xmas shopping in summer then crack on but please don't insist on harping on about it and trying to convince everyone else that 'your way is the best way'. Why does it matter to you that some people don't want to think about Xmas til they have to?

YABU with your poll; neither are 'weird'. Just different approaches.

But I agree that people who leave it until late December always seem to think this is something to be massively proud of.

I find it's the other way round - people saying " ooh no I couldn't leave my Christmas shopping til that late, mine's all bought and wrapped by November".

My friend tops everyone I know. Hers aren’t just all bought in September. They are WRAPPED.

I think the other thread (if it's the same one) was someone who had done all the Christmas shopping without knowing what the dc actually wanted, and now doesn't have the funds to get them anything on their list, which to me does seem a bit daft.
I start on November as we've so many autumn birthdays here I wait to see what the dc have etc before thinking about Christmas.

There's organised and too early in my opinion. I've started earlier this year (yesterday), given the situation but I'd normally never dream of it until late November/early Dec. Unless it's a very big ticket item, how do you know that person will want it or not buy it for themselves? Children change their mind every 5 minutes about what they want, unless it's something like a console etc.

I always start October/November and my sister flatly refuses to tell me what she wants until at least December just to prove a point I like getting it done early so I don't have to think about it!

I find most Christmas planning stuff tedious and put it off for as long as possible to get it done when it actually feels seasonal and urgent.

P.S. I have hidden the Christmas topic on Mumsnet so I avoid seeing all these threads from people bragging that they've finished and wrapped everything in September so YABU to post this in AIBU 😝

I like to get the bulk of my gift shopping done early because in normal years I can go to Christmas markets every weekend in the run up to Christmas and just enjoy the spectacle with no worrying about shopping a list..

Where do you keep all the wrapped parcels hidden from the children from September to December?

I usually leave it until December, maybe late November, but this year I'm almost done. It's not finance wise, it's due to covid. I can see there being major issues with deliveries going into late December and lack of stock, so probably have threads on here the week before Christmas with people complaining they can't get presents. Can only say then 'you should have started earlier'.

@Cam2020 - I started in October - I know that I will stress too much, if I don’t start early - so should I start ‘too early’ in your book, or should I lie awake worrying until late November? No hyperbole - I know I will worry, fret and lie awake worrying, if I leave it later.

I think it is unreasonable to say you think anything earlier than mid November is too early - it is true for you, but not for everyone.

Nothing wrong with shopping early or late whatever suits you .
I hate the ones who smugly announce they have bought and wrapped everything by October and if you haven't even considered buying a mince pie what is wrong with you there are only 100 shopping days left etc .
The internet is the best invention ever I hardly ever step foot in a shop so all mine is bought by December but I don't announce it smugly because I know no one cares .

I thought you were going to say the opposite.

We tend to leave our shopping quite late. When the DC were young we hadn’t got a lot of money but DH would get a bonus in December which would cover Xmas costs so we’d have to leave it until then.

I always had snidey comments from colleagues and family about leaving it so late, they just could not understand our (very sound) reasoning.

Out of habit we still leave it later than most and still the ‘what?! You haven’t started yet?!’ people will still pass comment 🙄

I usually start late november/ December, I found if I start too early i buy more. All our birthdays are September so hate seeing Christmas stuff in September

I shop early for budgeting reasons and excitement. People mock me all the time but I just laugh it off. She who dares, wins!

Yes I think you’re right. I think each to their own- mine’s nearly done, which saves me stress and means I can enjoy December. DH would buy it all the week before Christmas if I let him!

Anyone else sometimes its a bit of a class/snobbery thing too. The people I know who ‘only shop in December’ are either wealthy or want to give off the air of wealthiness. Its usually because a) they can afford to spend the money in one hit or b) they only give one or two gifts to their kids. The rich ones in my family gives no more than half a dozen to the kids, because they get year round and things like ipads or expensive clothes are a given rather than something to have to wait for a celebration for.

Might be just my neck of the woods! I’m a September starter, partially to spread the cost, partially to revel in cosy Christmas in December with less to stress about.

I like to keep December for Christmassy activities, not necessarily £££ stuff but having time to go to school stuff that the kids want to.
Local panto. Crafty stuff at home, and Christmas baking.
And eating mince pies and drinking Bailey's obviously..
I hate being in busy shops, I get hot and irate and I don't feel it adds to my festive vibes.
So I shop as early as I can, generally like to be completely done by the first week in November so I can do my own activity of drinking whilst listening to lovely Christmas music and wrapping it all up.
Did I say Christmas enough?🌲🎄🎅🎁🎁🎁🎁

I'm so superior that I don't buy any presents at all! Not one. I have a small family with no kids in it and we all agreed years ago to not bother with presents or cards. I love not having to bother with any of it.