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? ☃️🎄🎁

It’s fine either way - early or late. I usually buy early but then the kids sometimes change their minds!

I have 3 dc, my 18mo has all his presents now maybe a few little wrap ups and my 4yo,5yo have their main ones and a few little bits! We started a while ago so we don't feel it all in one go.... nothing worse then panic buying !

I've almost finished for the kids! I always start this time of year!

I'm definitely a planner and have got a fair bit of stuff already. I spread the cost over the year and it doesn't feel like I'm spending all in one go.

I find it the best way - a lot less stressful too.

There's two types of Christmas shoppers - those who are organised, and those who are not

It's fine. I've been buying the odd bit here and there (eg some very nice cashmere scarves in the Uniqulo sale for DM and MIL) I also started my Christmas Pinterest board in July.

Bloody love Christmas.

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.

You tend to get more for your money if you buy earlier, as there are discounts which simply aren't available nearer to Christmas.

I bought a couple of Christmas presents for this year for my son back in January. I know what else I’m going to get him and I’ll be buying soon because companies bump prices up in Nov/Dec

Not at all! I started on the last amazon prime day. Managed to get ds’s main present for £36 rather than the £90 it was going for in Smyths!
I’ve bought dd’s as well although that one wasn’t on offer but it had been sold out for half the year so I got a bit worried it would be gone before December.
I’ll probably start with the snacks and chocolate when ds goes back to school.

I’d advice anybody who wants electrical items, in particular the newer PlayStation and Xbox to get them sooner rather than later. Apparently they are still really difficult to get hold off and I can imagine it getting harder.

My mother bought my daughters 5th birthday present when I was 4 months pregnant
I normally start in jan-buy all year round and am very smug when my partner starts freaking out at the end of November
It’s like he doesn’t know Christmas comes round once a year…

@NoWordForFluffy

I made my mincemeat in April as it tastes better matured a bit!

What recipe do you use? I made Delia’s last year, it was luscious - planning to make another batch in a week or 2 - need to save a few more jars first!

I’ve been knitting Christmas things for months, not presents though, mostly for Gdcs’ school fair raffle in late Nov. Here are my 2 stretchy stockings - they’ve got a snowman both sides. Still have to make the loop for one, must have forgotten it. Also halfway through a Nativity set -I’ve just been sewing up a sheep - a bloody fiddle it was too!

@NoWordForFluffy I totally agree !! I got 20% discount on my last order as I signed up as a new member and got every item of blues clues I could find. Saved a fortune. Also got DD Christmas dress in the sale for 75% off! It should of been £100!
Everyone loves me for a bargain!

I've already started planning/buying a few things. I loveeeeeeeee Christmas. 🎅

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER, I've made a batch of Delia's plus 3 batches of a GH one (attached). I prefer the GH one.

@blueberrywaffle, I always get the kids' Christmas pyjamas in the Next winter sale (in 2 sizes bigger so they last at least the next 2 years). I actually detest buying anything at full price; it doesn't feel right!

I've bought my first gift :) No kids here, but our weekly Tesco shop will increase by €20 a week from the beginning of September to accommodate buying the Xmas booze and treats a little bit at a time. Doing it this way means there's no massive spend in December - makes the whole thing quite painless :)

@NoWordForFluffy it really doesn't does it !

I just feel better with a bargain if it's a big one and discount codes !! I hunt the internet lol

Me too. Plus use cash back sites as well!

@NoWordForFluffy

Me too. Plus use cash back sites as well!

Ahhh didn't think if cash back sites!

Way too early. I do an online shop or three for gifts in early December then hit the shops for the rest about a week before Christmas. Food shopping if I'm cooking I start to buy around 10 days before then complete about the 21st once the fresh turkeys are in. It costs the same whether you spend gradually or save the money for then. I won't know how many mouths I feeding until university ends

@RubyJam

Never too early , if I had more space to store items I would definitely buy things and put them away for Christmas now.

I used to do that then forget where they were, I recall one year finding two big Hotel Chocolat Tasting boxes in March, back in the day when they had brilliant offers on them, lovely surprise.

As a supplier I've had steady christmas sales since May, but it really ramps up on August and then again massively in September. There's lots of us out there who plan and buy early, you're not alone 😁

I'll be starting soon spreads the cost and makes it easier for me and less stressful.i hate running around last minute just buying any old shit just to have something

I start planning now because both my kids have autumn birthdays so I like to work out how to split gifts. I'll buy stuff to put away if it's on sale or to make up a 'spend x to get y off' type deal, but otherwise I leave it until November (after last birthday)

@gogohm

Way too early. I do an online shop or three for gifts in early December then hit the shops for the rest about a week before Christmas. Food shopping if I'm cooking I start to buy around 10 days before then complete about the 21st once the fresh turkeys are in. It costs the same whether you spend gradually or save the money for then. I won't know how many mouths I feeding until university ends

Except it actually costs less if you buy early, due to discounts they just don't do near Christmas.