I'm such a twit. Tried to be organised but it backfired...

[HauntyMython]

So I was feeling rather smug, I started Xmas shopping for the DCs even earlier this year as I discovered eBay :o

I was writing it all down, but since starting work I sort of forgot about it. This morning I was wondering around Boots and got some of those magic flannels, because it's one of our traditions for their stocking.

Then I realised I already bought some online months ago. So long ago, in fact, that I assumed the ones I had a vague memory of were from last year.

We've also decided to keep some of the presents back for their birthdays next summer as I got a bit bargain-happy and bought way too much.

I'm not the only idiot person who does this... Am I?

Be even smugger - as you've now gotten ahead for Christmas 2012!

No, I do this too. Two years now I have bought the same present twice over for the same child, the same year because I started too early and forgot what I had bought.

Can't remember now what I got from sainsbos when they had half price toys but I know I've bought way too much. Again. DS's birthday just before christmas and DD's in spring for any massive surplus I suppose

This is why I think people shouldn't buy too early (am guilty of it too, sometimes ). Why the whole "buy stuff throughout the year in the sales advice" can be more expensive than just waiting. I Have finally decided what to get DH, but I think I should wait a few weeks, still. And that is actually the last thing I need to buy .

2 years ago I did all my Xmas shopping early as I had 2MO triplets - got DH some brilliant gifts and had him completely sorted.. Came to a few days before Xmas and I was like 'Shit, DH has no presents!' - rushed out and had to get him so really crap, last minute presents.. (totally forgotten about original presents!) felt so rubbish on xmas day, especially as I was very smug about being so 'organised'!
Even worse in the middle of January when I come across DH's presents (in that secret place I forgot) and had to pretend that his Xmas presents were just a joke and these were real..

Shh, don't tell my children or they'll sneak a look but my secret weapon is the camera phone, I take a pic of each pressie as I've bought it then I can look back to remind myself.

OddBoots that is probably one of the best idea's I've heard!

I've bought way too much, but I always have a present stash for birthday parties that have a habit of creeping up on me. Ds is going to a birthday party and the birthday boy is getting a really nice present I bought in the half price toy sale at Tesco three years ago for someone else (but then I accidentally bought that child something else too!)

You can always find someone to give the presents too, it's never a waste of money! Esp if you're buying when things are discounted.

I have a book. In about September I empty the Christmas cupboard and write lists for all 5 dc so I know exactly what I've bought everyone. From September to Christmas the book comes everywhere with me.
It has lists of all family and friends and what I buy them.
It also lists all my menu plans, shopping lists, Christmas eve hamper ideas and advent activities.
To make me even sadder I've used the same book for the last five years, so at a glance I can tell you what we bought any person or what we ate on Christmas day back to 2006.

Dear god I need to get a life, but I am super organised if also super sad

ChooChooWowWow- doesn't soudn sad - sounds amazing.
Please share you secrets....
(hmm maybe we need a new thread>>>_

It does make things much easier for a Christmas junkie like me. I do live in fear of losing the book though, or worse the dc finding it.

I write everything down as I buy or order it, then tick it off when it has actually arrived in the house, and, most importantly, I write where I hide it too. The odd thing goes astray, but nothing major. I too have lists going back several years

I've done this a few times.

DD, wanted a hoodie with her name on/swim logo for swimming lessons.
When it arrived it was way too big for her, so i put it away and thought it would be fine for her B'day.
Well, b'day came and went, so did xmas 2010 and i found it last week in the bottom of my wardrobe, while looking for gift tags!
So, DD is getting her hoodie for christmas,2 years late . I think it will fit, just!
I also found a pack of socks!

I do this all the time. I buy clothes in the end of season sales for DS is a size up, so that he has things that I like for the following season at a reduced price. And then the next season comes along and I see stuff at full price that I like more and that I just cannot leave without buying it, and so he ends up with far too many clothes. I end up giving what he hasn't worn as presents to friends' children, but then I realise that the value of those presents is actually much more than I woudl otherwise have spent!

Ooh, a book, now there's an idea! Love the photo idea too although dd is worryingly good at navigating my phone so would be risky.

It was all going brilliantly until I started work, dammit :o

The extra flannels went back to Boots for a refund, but I've kept the extra thing I got for DS's stocking. I have really overdone the stockings this year (only their second year of having them!)

DH used to work for Boots, this'll be the first January sales season in 7 years without a staff discount, so I probably won't hit the sales at all

We are still trying to work out what to keep away for their birthdays, it's quite difficult as a lot of their stuff is joint presents.

I presents app. Amazing