I have started Christmas Shopping and I am happy and excited.

[SecretPlansAndCleverTricks]

Got a little stash of books and stocking fillers hidden away upstairs

hugs self with excitement

thumbs nose at Christmas-In-June-Refuseniks

Me too. Bought my first thing yesterday for the grand price of 4 quid. And I've wrote a list. Yay for us organised.

I think it's the weather, it feels like November, makes me want Christmas.

Have decided on DDs big present, Maxi Micro scooter, would order it now but a bit big to hide for 6 months...

I'm ashamed to admit that I started mine on Xmas eve in the boots half price sale

Even the kids were appalled

Haven't started yet but I applaud you for it. I looked at cards yesterday but didn't buy as I want to think about my theme for the year a bit more :)

I have been sniffing my Christmassy Yankee Candles to get in the mood

happy sigh

Aaahh which Candles do you have stashed away SecretPlans

I've got Red Apple Wreath on the kitchen windowsill which is lovely but suitable for all year round burning (well that's what I told DH)

Oh, all the spicy / christmassy / baking ones...

mulled cider, mulled wine, sparkling cinnamon, christmas cookie, some chocolaty ones, spiced pear, spiced orange... i've got loooads. Kringle candles are great too.

I have all ds's presents already I even have the Christmas eve hamper sorted bar mine and dh's pjs (ds has some gorgeous gruffalo ones off eBay).

All I need to do is buy chocolate for stockings and presents for family (they all get chocolate and sweet hampers because it's easier and I'm going to do a photobook of ds for my mum who can't have sugar). dh and I are planning to take ds Xmas shopping in December to get our presents.

And new christmas decorations are needed but I can't find any decent sites in June

If you have Costco membership or know someone who has a card who can take you..
I think they start selling decorations in September. We always buy a box of their glass baubles (red ones last year- really nice)

I am intrigued and slightly appalled
Where do you store it all?
Do your dc not request specific things?
I have been laughed at for doing it all in October half term, but I would love to have got it out the way by then. Maybe I could give their xmas gift lifts to inlaws and my Mum!

I'll join you if that's ok! Haven't actually started shopping as we agreed we wouldn't until a bit later (DCs' birthdays are next week and in August) but I do like to start planning early! Amazon wishlists are always full :)

There is a cupboard in my bedroom (think it's supposed to be like an airing cupboard but it's too far away from the bathroom to be of any use) and it all goes in (or on top of) that.

Ds will be two this christmas so I can still buy him what I want but I think this is the last year I'll be able to do this - and the last year he won't notice the pile of toys on top of the cubpoard either!

I'm doing the shopping now because dh's job is only on a six month contract so he may not actually have a job at Christmas, at least this way the important stuff has already been bought.

Thanks for the tip 70

I haven't started yet, but have been adding to amazon wishlist so I don't forget what to get everyone.

We are moving next week, and whilst we've been packing up I've found a few presents I forgot to give dd last year .

I have bought a silver cross dolls pram for DD, £30 from the local facebook page and it looks brand new. :)

MIL is storing it for us and I will buy her doll nearer the time (August maybe)

I have stocking bits got just little purses, lipbalm, stickers and notebooks. :) Can't wait to get making all the foodie bits for family

Wow! If I had presents now I'd want to give them to my daughter now rather than wait 6 months!

I would join you all, but I have about a gazillion birthdays to buy for in July and August and my house is bursting at the seams with those. My own fault for having children in those months!

Once September comes I'll be on it.

I did buy a few toys in the January sales and stash them in the loft.

I've started mine . I do online surveys and quite often get paid in amazon vouchers. When the dc's mention something I put it on my amazon wish list then buy it once I've got enough.

SecretPlansandCleverTricks - We bought DD a micro scooter last xmas and actually the box it comes in is quite small. She loves it btw and it is well worth paying the extra for it.

I started mine in Jan but I haven't got far so I need to write a list and have a think but I am on ML until September so the shopping might have to wait until then.

oooh wish I could start now but so many expenses up to xmas

I am trying not to start til end of Oct this year...I think there will be a few bargains around by then!

I always get a few bits in the amazon sale.

Does everyone by for lots of people?
I honestly buy for max 10 people and half of those are token gifts.

I'm the same PoppyWearer. I have dps birthday next month, both my girls birthdays are in September then my whole families are from September to November. It's such an expensive time so I do like to look early and see what I can put away.

FormerlytitledUntidy - what foodie bits do you make? I decided I'm going to make a few things this year. I saw little jars in hobbycraft yesterday and thought it would be nice to give to the grannys :) I need easy things though that I can get my little girl (who will be 3 then) to help make / decorate.

I started Xmas shopping in the news years sales. Having a family as big as mine where all birthdays for my DC and DP are all in December I need a massive head start.

Badvoc - when is the amazon sale? I get loads on amazon.

ForeverGreek - we keep cutting the amount of people we buy for (by agreement) but we have family including DSDs, cousins, godchildren and little friends of DDs who I can't not buy for when they turn up with something for her. I don't buy our friends anymore, only the children where possible. I love Christmas but I like spreading the cost/hassle.

I have also put some disney dvds away after I got them in the buy one, get one free sale earlier this year.

I havent bought anything yet but started a Christmas money tin on Boxing day .
Have been shoving £60 a month in so...will have £360 in at the end of this month .