So who's started their Christmas shopping then?

[OvO]

I'm only posting this because as soon as it's seen in Active Convos it will make peoples head explode.

I saw a load of beautiful pine cones lying around when I went for a walk in the woods yesterday....went back with a bag to collect them to use in Christmas wreath...my dh thinks I am absolutely nuts, even though he knows full well about my obsession with Christmas. I have decided not to tell anyone in RL!

Found myself looking at little craft embelishments today (Santa,elves things in sort of pewter metal)Had to step away as I can't do crafts.

Also wondering if I could use a Hannibal or BA Baracus doll-reduced to £5 in The Entertainer_ to make my new Elf On A Shelf Doll.
Last years was a Christopher Eccleson Dr Who doll but he looked a bit fierce and scary in a non elfy way was too small.

I usually start about July/August to spread the cost out a bit. But don't wrap or write cards until December.

I save money every month in a Christmas club, so don't do much shopping until that pays out in early December. I buy stocking fillers with the weekly shop from about October and also take advantage of the 2 tins of chocs for a tenner when the offer appears - this works out expensive as we normally eat them and replace them, so now hide them at In-laws

mrsfluff we do the same re eating the chocs.

We've got a LO due Dec (23rd!), so we're 'not doing' Christmas this year.
Which doesn't mean you can't buy us stuff

But we do save £20-30 every month from Jan, just to make it easier.

It's reassuring to know we're not the only ones KB. Though I must admit, wrapping the presents without an open tin of Celebrations just isn't quite the same

AWWW dont, im getting all excited inside!! I love love love christmas, only thing that would make it better was if i was celebrating in Norway. sayin that we get proper snow now aswell....

I have been xmas shopping since january. only stocking fillers so far but am getting the kids bikes next month and will hopefully be finished by the end of september

I have a generic shopping list for food/treats for Christmas Eve and Day and Boxing Day that is carried over from year to year, because we always have the same meals. It has become our tradition - DH says why change what you know you enjoy? Plus I know what I'm doing and can do some of it in advance so minimal stress.

The thing I love looking at most in the shops are the Christmas decorations. I don't necessarily want to buy them, I just like looking at them! I have lots of garden centres I visit when their displays are set up. I suppose I should be grateful I don't change colour schemes every year and buy a whole new load of decs! Although I do tweak a few of the ones I've had for a while.

I'm hoping FellatioNelson will start another Poncetastic Christmas thread this year, I really enjoyed the last one!

Well I will I am sure, but as I'll be living in the Middle East by then (with a measly, paltry fake Christmas tree for company) I might need to live vicariously through you lot. I shall still do my bit to rally the troops fron afar though.

You could be an inspiration to anyone else in the same situation as you, Fellatio. Why a paltry fake tree? Get BIG lush fake tree! (Visions of massive tree dripping with gold and jewelled things.)

My eyes normally bleed at the mere thought of organisation and preparing for Christmas early.

HOWEVER...

I was given my staff discount on sale stuff at work on Wednesday for one day only and couldnt resist coming out of work with £80 worth off toys for just over 20 quid. So the babies and toddlers are taken care of!

I normally buy for my sisters and BIL's, parents but last year I spent an absolute fortune and not sure if I can afford it this year.
Not sure how i'm going to go about it though because I love buying for them!

I've been saving up my boots advantage points for the adults prresents and tesco savings stamps for my ds. So excited alteady lol

i bought some small items yesterday!

i started my xmas shopping for extended family in decmber last year for this year. and am starting to look for all the rest now as i dnt fancy trapsing round the shops when im 8 months pregnant.

i have bought a few things for LO as her birthday is 5 weeks before christmas.
i have about 60 on my boots card so far also saving with Park saved about 400 so far so will help :)

I have a notebook that I write everyone's names in that I have to buy for and then when i get bits throughout the year I write it down and the price. I do it for birthdays too
Have got bits for stockings and the various kids in the family but will wait until nearer the time for my 2 dc to decide what they would like as they are getting past the actual toy stage.

Don't buy presents or food during the year( I like the last minute rush in a way, but will be more organised this year after all the snow-chaos last year)

But if I see tablewear or cooking then I buy them when I see them.Bought a glass teapot because my Christmas pot got broken

DS has his birthday in Dec so we don't start decorating until after,but I've got everything organised bar the food.

Bad family planning having a Dec baby(Dec 1999) but he was bornin:
the last month of the last decade of the last century of the last millenium. I thenk you.

I felt rather smug last year during the snow as I'd done most of the shopping before going on holiday in October.

Generally I'd prefer to wait until after DS' birthday in august but I may pick up the odd thing. I'm planning anyway, it makes me ridiculously happy deciding what to get everyone (DH, parents, DCs and DSCs)

Actually bought my first gift 2 weeks ago though - I work in a charity shop once a fortnight and saw this amazing hand-painted bone china brooch which I snapped up for my nan.

Last August (when my DCs were 9 months old ) I bought a model farm from ELC (it was on special offer) with all the bits (family, shop, animals) and a playmat.

The DCs will be 2 and a 1/4 this Christmas - going to give it to them this year.

I am sad, aren't I.

No not sad at all, sometimes something just grabs you!!

I like to get fab presents for people but on a budget (don't we all), I've just discovered Groupon, and I purchased a falconry session for two hours, at a huge discount for my best friend (and as she would be lonely on her own I booked for me too )

I'm really looking in earnest now for presents.

Love it sooooooo much!!

Not sad at all to buy a classic toy like a farm, South. It's just a bit difficult when you buy a toy that might be popular now, but by Christmas it's been overtaken by the next big thing.

Confession time: I bought my DD her first wooden train set when she was still a foetus have since added to it (and will continue to do so - not Brio, cheaper versions) and will continue to. Well, Santa will anyway :o she's 4 now and she and DS (nearly 2) get masses of use out of it. Stuff like that - and the farm set you've got - are timeless classics.

We agreed one of DD's presents today - CD soundtracks of Disney Hercules, Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 :)