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 do it later but I’m not smug about it, I know what I’m getting the kids for their ‘main’ presents, but smaller gifts are better left to nearer the event as the other thread proved where the boy chose different stuff for his list!

I like to have it all done by late November/very early December, because a) I don’t like rushing about in crowded shops and b) I don’t like stress so I’m a big planner and c) I love a bargain.

I’m also the same as app - December (and Christmas in general) is about Christmassy hygge at home with friends and family, or the odd outing. I prefer it not to be about frenetic consumerism and/or worrying over getting everything done.

When my girls were little I used to shop throughout the year and put things by for their birthdays and Christmas, because I didn’t have much money and I bought bargains when I saw them and could afford them.

I do usually like to go out to the shops once during the festive period but that’s really just to enjoy the ambience, look for any last minute surprises or the odd special bauble or ornament and buy my Christmas cards for the next year once they’ve been reduced.

I said YABU because I personally think it's a bit OTT to actually relish shopping for Christmas very early. But if it is something that helps you budget or ease anxiety around getting everything done in case you're "big" on Christmas, then knock yourself out.
I save it for December.

I don't do anything Christmassy until December 1st (other than doing Christmas ranges of cakes and treats for my business). I like to make December really festive. We don't buy for many people and I have streamlined Christmas to doing things I actually want to do that bring me pleasure.

And this is the first year I've ever bought presents in November. I know I will end up spending more money if the shops reopen because I will miss the fun of doing proper Christmas Shopping

From my experience the people who leave it late are the ones being the nastiest shits to the staff because things sold out. Or queue was too long and they are in a hurry to get to the next shop and so on

Completely agree with DrWankenstein, my DH’s birthday is at the start of December. I get the Christmas shopping and cards done before his birthday and spend the rest of the month eating, drinking and being merry. I’ve just spent the weekend ordering loads of presents, with any luck they’ll all be delivered in the next 2 weeks. And I am enjoying deciding what Christmas treats to buy in the supermarket already.

I'm usually finished by now partly for budgeting reasons but mostly because I love December and Christmas and I'd rather relax and enjoy it than be stressing about this and that being out of stock and whatever. Means I can just sit back and drink tea and eat mince pies all month.

Each to their own though. Couldn't be arsed to pass judgment on others for something so unimportant.

I start early and buy 1 or 2 presents from September on .By December just have to get my surprises for everyone and some Booze /Money .Always done this since DC were small .

I start even food shopping in October. Pop a jar of this and that into a trolly on a weekly shop. In the end while the Asda is full of people with trollies of crisps and other long lasting food on 23th, I pass through self check out in with my small basket of fresh veg, baguette and milk😁

I don't like to buy too early in case something needs to be returned. I know some shops offer extended return periods but not all do.

What thread are you talking about op. Because I think you are talking shit. One thread where op had spent £3k, was it enough? Sillier, op had spent tonnes on ds5 presents and now he'd asked for something else, and she wouldn't change his list. It was 1st November.

No one gives anyone any hassle on Mn for shopping early, unless they are silly about it.

Many posters need to buy early if they want THE toy for that year, be it Lego or a doll or whatever.

Most people buy in November and December. I never shop in the last week before Christmas because I'm done way before that.

The ridiculing you are talking about doesn't happen.

Jsut to add I already have that crisps at home by then😂 not judging them for buying it

I’m almost finished, have massively overspent and am now thinking about The Wrapping. I love Christmas and choosing presents for people and absolutely refuse be shamed!

I started much earlier this year. I was almost done by Tuesday last week. I normally like to be mostly done by early Dec, again I have four kids. I wanted to buy from my normal.shops ant Amazon so I need plan all that.

However we are normally still wrapping at 4am on Christmas morning. Not this year. I'm going wrap while I watch I'm a celeb each week.

I used to start early when I had 26 people to buy for. Sadly, our family has shrunk, and I only have to buy for 6 people now. And quite frankly, I just can't get into the spirit of Christmas these days.

@PretendLife I’m jealous!

Mines all done this year, just 2 more to wrap but I’m expecting dc2 in a couple of weeks.
I’m glad I done it early this year though, money has been tight due to Covid as I didn’t work for 4 months. And even if I wasn’t expecting another baby my work is one that’s just had to shut down again so I’d be struggling financially now.

I'm an early shopper and have always found this to be true!
I have more DC than most so it always made more sense to spread the cost over more paydays. And I have all of my family birthdays in the September -January period so it can all get get quite overwhelming if I'm not organised.
I enjoy Christmas though, I'm always the first to put up the tree and I've learned just to nod then ignore. Some people are just miserable bastards.

I have just 1 present left to find. A good reusable Nespresso capsules which won't cost an arm and leg. I have an amazing coffee supplier for the rest, but the bloody capsules are doing my head in!

YABU to suggest that there is no middle ground between finishing your Christmas shopping by bonfire night (which is what the OP of that thread had done) and “running around the shops on Christmas Eve trying to find everything”. And, yes, you DO judge people who shop late because you would not have described it like that if you didn’t.

In that thread the OP had been bitten in the bum because a child gave her a Christmas list in early November and she had already bought the presents. It’s hardly surprising that a few people thought she had jumped the gun and only had herself to blame.

I think it is sensible to plan and buy early. But I am a miserable cow and leave it until the last minute because I just can't stand how drawn out and tedious it all is.

I don’t think there’s necessarily a sense of superiority by people who shop late towards people who shop early. I’m a late shopper but feel envious of those more prepared and organised!

But I will admit to being snobby about people who put their trees up in November. Sorry.

@Redwrecker

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.

Can you explain this idea of spreading the cost? What is the difference between putting some money to one side every month, then spending it in late November/early December, versus actually buying the presents earlier?

I do agree there are some people like this. I don't really see it on the Christmas topic because this board is a shining beacon of wholesome light 🥰❤ but I did comment on a AIBU thread about this and the poster seemed very defensive about shopping late and wanted to find a million reasons why early shoppers were in the wrong.

I've never had the funds to start shopping early before this year, and I have to say that shopping from late October has been a joy. I feel so much calmer and happier and I've planned much better. It gives me more time and more pay to sort any other bits I need.