To start planning / buying for Christmas?

[Farevalah]

Went to Tesco the other day and noticed the tubs of Roses and QS at the front, which only means one thing!

I've made a start on a few small gifts, DH thinks I'm crazy and it's far too early. Please tell me I'm not the only one planning in August? ☃️🎄🎁

Depends, now my kids are older their interests change so I wouldn't get all their presents early.

@Farevalah YANBU. You'll get the 'I don't even start thinking about Christmas until December' brigade coming along on here, but late August is not too early to start getting bits and bobs. I can only surmise that the people who don't even start THINKING about Christmas until December, let alone buy anything, have very VERY little to get, and very few people to buy for.

Hilariously, back in early March, someone said 'why the fuck would you buy Easter Eggs three weeks before Easter? Where do you even store them?' I mean REALLY??? It was 3 weeks before, not 3 months, and even THAT would have been all right IMO. Ironically it was on a thread where the OP had left buying Easter eggs until 3 days before Easter Sunday (so the day before Good Friday,) and she couldn't find any.

I can't even imagine leaving it THAT late. Yet the person scoffing at people buying them 3 weeks before Easter, thought it was more weird to buy Easter Eggs 3 weeks before Easter, than it was to leave it til the day before Good Friday. She thought that was fine! Obviously not, as the OP on the thread (and many like her who had left it til a few days before Easter,) couldn't get any Easter Eggs.

I won't be starting my Christmas shopping just yet, but I went out on Friday, and I saw that B & M have started putting the Christmassy gift sets up, like the Lynx and Impulse box sets, and the mugs with slogans on them, and the bottle of plonk in a box, with a few truffles with it...

Also, because of Covid or Brexit (or both!) many retailers are telling us that there may be shortages of (Christmassy) stuff this year, including non-perishables, and toys and gadgets etc. So it's advisable to start shopping early. I will start the second or third week in September.

Also, it's been another shitty year IMO. First 4 or 5 months was in lockdown, then when we were 'released' it was too hot to do anything for the next couple of months, and then for the whole of August, we have had awful wet miserable weather.

Also, it's been almost impossible to go on a decent holiday. Going abroad is risky, and 'staycations' are super expensive, so the best most people have got is a day trip to the zoo, the beach, or a theme park. So I (like many others) am actually just looking forward to Christmas now, (And Halloween and New Year,) and living in hope that 2022 is much better than 2021, and 2020.

Happy Crimbo shopping! 🎄 🛍️ 🛒

Its too early for me. I always end up thinking of more things in December and buying too much! So I'm starting a list but no buying yet

I pick up things on holiday so have already got quite a few eg lovely candles and bubble bath etc from craft shops on Skye. I am determined to be done by early December this year so I can enjoy the festive season more.
It spreads the cost and means that it’s less of a chore and my DH knows better than to criticise as if he did, he’ll be made to do more himself in December. Last year I didn’t order the turkey until mid November and we didn’t get much choice of collection time and had to pick it up on the 22nd! This year I’ll be quick off the mark so we can pick up as late as possible.
Watch the price of the tubs in Tesco though as they usually do two for £7 at some point. That’s when I get ours.

No lists are starting when shops start listing Christmas goodies I’ll start planning that as well.

I do already have a Christmas pudding that I bought in January for about 80% off

Wouldn't even give it a thought until after my birthday at least (end of September), then I'll start keeping an eye out and grabbing anything I think people might like.

I usually aim to have everything bought by the end of November.

I’ve told dh I’ll sort my own present out this year (lots of goodies) 😊😊things I want and will use.

I've started buying my kids Christmas presents. I want to be as prepared as possible this year!

I think it's quite late! Lol.
I bought the vast majority of my Christmas presents earlier in the year (March-June) I'm nearly finished now, just a few little bits to get and a couple of things I'm waiting for Black Friday for.

I'm having a baby in december and my DD8s birthday is also in December so safe to say I've started alot of my Xmas and her birthday presents already.
Its good to be prepared 😊

I’ve already started op. With 9 grandchildren it’s the only way. Pick up bargains when I see them, not when the calendar dictates.

I do find it so interesting that so many people buy children's gifts this far ahead, do your children not tell you what they would want?

Do what you like. I won’t give it a thought until December and will manage to sort Christmas without “dashing round” or “stressing.”

I have just started buying a bits for DCs stockings as I see them

@MargosKaftan

I do find it so interesting that so many people buy children's gifts this far ahead, do your children not tell you what they would want?

They write a list in November and dh buys one or two things from it (usually a computer game for example) but the rest of the gifts - clothes, books, chocolates, stocking fillers, puzzles, games etc, I buy in September. I know their interest enough to know what to buy

I've been buying presents throughout the year for DS when I've seen them on offer, gone for classic stuff rather than character so there is less risk he will have gone off them by then! Won't bother with food yet though, I try not to go too excessive over Christmas and quite flexible about what we eat on the day, so will largely shop as usual and buy a few extra bits throughout December.

To add, DS is a toddler so doesn't get the concept yet, next year and onwards will have to shop later once the list has been doneA

@CoffeeAndDryShampoo

Never too early! Pop over to the Christmas board, plenty of bargains and Christmas cheer over there all year round!

There’s a christmas board, how did a I miss this?

A friend of mine has already bought, wrapped and delivered Christmas presents to friends and family who don’t live locally in case there’s another lock down over Christmas. All I have done is make a vague list!

@MargosKaftan

I do find it so interesting that so many people buy children's gifts this far ahead, do your children not tell you what they would want?

DS is 5 at the end of November and already knows what he'd like for his birthday. I've got those things and a few bits to accompany them. He also needs a new bike, so he'd quite like that off FC, I'll get that next payday. He's little so is easy to buy for, but I'm scaling back this year.

Makes sense to start early really, it spreads the cost and stress and it gives more time to think of present ideas. Every single year I say I’ll get started early but the earliest I’ve started ever is the start of November 🤦🏼‍♀️
This year I do need to be different tho, I’m pregnant (FTM) and due at the start of November so don’t really think I’ll want or need the stress of present shopping/organising when all I’ll really want to do is to be focussing on my tiny baby.
You’ve given me a nudge, time to start up my annual present spreadsheet!

My mum buys for the entire family and her friends- say 20-25 people- and she is already done with her Christmas shopping. I have around 10 to buy for and I haven't given it a thought yet.

Your eyes will be opened

I'm having a blast doing my Christmas shopping on my phone today. I have never been this organised before!

I also struggle with the spread the cost thing, but then I've always saved for Christmas through the year, so it makes no difference if I spend that as I go or save it and spend in one go in November.

I will buy a few family gifts for extended family ill see at October half term, as if I am not organised enough I always begrudge having to pay to post things to them a few weeks later.