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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be buying things for Christmas now?

91 replies

Cryingbutstilltrying · 30/09/2022 14:01

DH thinks I am being ridiculous buying things for Christmas now.
Gifts, food items with long enough dates, things that I consider sensible to have as we know they will be needed.
DH would do all (or indeed, none) of the shopping on the 24th December and seems baffled annually that it takes longer than this. He has conceded that maybe spreading it through December is ok.
We have dc, parents who will be staying for Christmas here and a number of items that will need to be posted.
I’m also thinking that if items are on offer and available now, given all the dire things going on, I would rather have them bought and hidden so the kids will get a nice Christmas regardless.
Pretty much all my friends have primary age kids and spread the cost and shopping in much the same way, so I think this is entirely reasonable.
Have I missed something about leaving it all to the last minute?

OP posts:
Glitteringapples · 30/09/2022 16:00

I probably won’t start buying things till late November/December but that’s for three reasons: 1. The money I’ve saved is tied up in premium bonds so I want to leave them in as long as possible. 2. My kids are terrible at finding things and peeking so it’s best for me to buy them as near as possible to the big day and 3. I have a lousy memory so I would definitely lose things if I bought them and stashed them away. Im still finding things from past Christmas’s years and years later!

MinnieMountain · 30/09/2022 16:01

I keep an eye out for stocking fillers from September. But DS’s birthday is in November, so that’s it until afterwards.

RoonilWazlib21 · 30/09/2022 16:01

I'm pretty much done and everything I've bought so far is wrapped, labelled and marked on the spreadsheet so I know what I have bought along with a running total of the cost.

Food wise I've started buying wee bits like nuts, pringles, celebrations etc and will stock up as I see bits so it's only the fresh food to do.

I do this every year and it makes December much easier for me.

WithIcePlease · 30/09/2022 16:16

I have one bit of electronics that I'm waiting on Black Friday for but otherwise I am pretty much done
If he thinks it's silly, then maybe he could have the joyful experience of December shopping for everyone?

Crumpleton · 30/09/2022 16:19

Absolutely not to early, although food items even with a decent date are a but early for me to buy just yet.

Years ago when standing at the school gates a week or so before Christmas if I had a pound for every mother that stood complaining that they hadn't started Christmas shopping and now didn't have the money to I'd have been well off.

OceanbreezeSun · 30/09/2022 16:25

I’ve bought dd a few toys , as they were on offer. There was also lots of stock, closer to the time, there probably won’t be.

I’ve also bought a few tree decorations 😬

muchprefersummer · 30/09/2022 16:26

Definitely not too early. I've already bought the kids their main presents and some still king fillers. I've bought presents for my DC on behalf of DPiLs. I've got DPiLs presents sorted. I'm staring on food this month. I always aim to have all presents done by beginning of Nov, so I'm not stressing through December.

AloysiusBear · 30/09/2022 16:27

I've done almost all my christmas shopping for the DC. "Main" present each and then about £50 of stocking fillers - craft stuff, socks, chocolate, a book each etc.

OldTinHat · 30/09/2022 16:29

I started in January. Was all wrapped and ready to go by July!

CathyorClaire · 30/09/2022 16:37

YANBU at all.

I start in the January sales and pick things up throughout the year as I see them. I keep a list so I know what I've got and what I've spent and if there's too much for one it stays in the present box until birthday.

We're not far off buying food bits and pieces so long as they're well in date.

Anyone telling me I was doing it wrong would be permanently getting the job to manage as they saw fit.

WimbyAce · 30/09/2022 16:44

Yeah I enjoy it more if I buy things as and when. Always on hot deals looking for bargains for the kids. Special food treat bits I will buy in December mainly as we don't have much space to store stuff.

Vicliz24 · 30/09/2022 16:46

I start in the January sales and pick things up throughout the year then put them in the Christmas cupboard. I haven't sorted them out yet but I keep a list so I'm pretty ok .

pawkins · 30/09/2022 17:02

It takes time and effort to plan and buy gifs.
DH would buy everything ie anything on Christmas Eve and people would end up with whatever last mi Ute thing he saw in the first shop he went into.
I started last month and have bought the kid’s advent calendars, books and one toy. I find toys tricky as they won’t write their letters until Dec but I hope to have everything else bought by then apart from ingredients.

GG1986 · 30/09/2022 17:04

I started in August, mainly because I am due a baby at the end of December so need to be prepared in case it comes early. But also to spread the cost and there have been sales on. I buy food nearer the time because of lack of storage and also would probably just eat it all 🤣

WouldUShouldI · 30/09/2022 17:05

I haven't yet started shopping but I have been saving the last couple of months as I fully intend to take advanced of cyber Monday and black Friday to get the majority of presents.

Crankley · 30/09/2022 17:12

I'm more inclined to agree with your DH but of course, when you have children and lots of people to buy for it makes total sense. I bet he would change his mind if he had to do all the buying.

Starsinyoureyes13 · 30/09/2022 17:14

I've started just now, the only thing buying early is, sometimes the things you buy
Early are cheaper nearer Xmas time :(

Ponoka7 · 30/09/2022 18:04

I like to enjoy December, so I start shopping early. The Baileys are on offer, so I've bought all that we need over Christmas, now. I'll always start on wine etc next week. I've only got my GC to buy for, but take them to a Panto and on a Christmas day out, so that has to be booked now. I've bought some presents. Alder hey charity pjs are ordered. Unless finances prevents you from getting it done early, I don't know why you wouldn't. Stress lowers your immune system and its flu etc season, now we've got Covid in the mix.

Chevyimpala67 · 30/09/2022 18:16

Always make sure I'm done by December!

I like to relax during Advent and dh always has a work trip in December for at least 7-10 days

Turkey ordered ✔️
Xmas food delivery booked ✔️
Most gifts wrapped and put away ✔️

Just need some christmas crackers and napkins plus a few food bits

I think this year particularly its important to be organised...postal strikes which will occur over black Friday and cyber monday 🙄

I've got a couple of pre ordered things still to arrive but should be here by November.

postcardpuffin · 30/09/2022 22:05

The past few years finances have been tight, so I’ve bought throughout the year when I see things in sales, etc. Was hoping not to do that this year but ended up still doing it, so I now have most stuff bought for presents and only a few things left to get, mostly for DD and my parents. Now given energy bills etc. I’m really glad I did it early again this year!

Stompythedinosaur · 03/10/2022 21:16

It's normal! He clearly isn't pulling his weight in the Christmas prep if you doesn't understand why. I guess he thinks a magical fairy brings Christmas each year for him to enjoy?

NextDayCurry · 03/10/2022 21:36

I shop throughout the year

It spreads the cost

I buy things as I find them, often on my travels

ThreeRingCircus · 03/10/2022 21:45

Having to go round the shops late in December is my idea of hell. Plus I feel like I'd be rushed and just buy whatever was to hand and available rather than putting a lot of thought into presents.

I'm always on the Christmas bargain threads from around June/July and have had some great deals from them over the years. If I see something for a present that the recipient will really like I buy it and store it away for Christmas.

In September I make the Christmas cake (I think it does better with lots of opportunity to feed it and let it mature.) Then from October I may start buying bits of non perishable food as I see them in the shops.

I like to be completely finished in terms of gift and non perishable food shopping by the start of December so all I have to do is pick up some veg etc and wrap presents. I can just chill and enjoy December that way.

So yes OP, do catch up 😂

Bluey124 · 03/10/2022 21:54

I have always bought gifts for Xmas way in advance as it helps spread the cost and means I can enjoy the Christmas rundown more rather than just worrying about getting presents

FlutterbButterfly · 03/10/2022 21:59

Nope not stupid, as others have said it spreads the cost. There are only 2 paydays for me before Christmas now and I need to budget. It also means you are likely to be able to get hold of everything you need.