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

I started in January

This is pretty bonkers . Why would you buy a scooter in june when you can walk into john lewis in december pick it up job done? I could undrtstand if it was on sale now but these things are pretty static in price are they not?

Everything - it spreads the cost/hassle abd frees up December to do other Christmassy things rather than shopping
Eg panto etc

I usually start the shopping at the end of August and have it wrapped by November and then sit back and avoid all the crowds and nonsense in December.

I like to avoid Xmas shopping crowds as I have social anxiety and can't handle town when it's busy. Much easier for me to do it in advance/online.

That said now that the DCs are older we will not be getting absolutely everything in advance as there will invariably be a last minute change of mind!

I also think December is busy enough without having to Christmas shop aswell.

I bought a cheap A5 spiral notebook from poundland to write all my Christmas planning in, I have a generic shopping list of food/drinks etc that I always buy and add to it when I've planned menus. If I don't write it down I'll forget it!

I have a list of stuff to prepare in advance and freeze. I've just made my first batch of strawberry ice-cream and in the recipe book spotted clementine sorbet which I fancy doing just before Christmas. I usually do a proper vanilla to serve with warm mince pies.

I want to start early but whenever I do (and I mean October) I end up buying more as I see things as I go along.

Got my female friends in the 75% boots sale in January.

Friends kids clothes from the Next sale.

Grandparents gifts in May when I had 50% off at work.

I'm watching the kids stocking fillers on eBay but waiting until I have some cash in my PayPal account (mostly wooden bits of playfood) to go with the ELC wooden cake shop which was half price at half term.

And I'm putting spare change into a money box to buy what the DDs ask Santa for and to buy a little something for DP.

I also got the kids Xmas eve pyjamas and slippers in the Next sale and an Xmas book each (polar express and night before Christmas with a CD) from waterstones for a few pounds each.

It's all stashed in the loft and I want it wrapped before the end of October 2 days before Christmas ....... I work in retail so going shopping at that time of year would be detrimental to my mental health.

I had a shopping-free December last year and it was bliss!

I've just remembered that I did also buy the DCs' Santa outfits and Christmas Eve pyjamas in the sales too. There is a box in the loft with all that stuff in it.

I've been buying stocking fillers for DS all year . He'll be 2. So far, I've got cookie cutters, paint brushes, scissors, glow in the dark stars, and a fab Christmas book.

Red - it varies. I got some good stuff in August last year

Ive been buying bits every month. I use my night feed times with dd2 to shop around online. Honestly im nearly done. Dd1 wants a big girls bike so im buying that nearer the time and dd2 will be 10onths so waiting to see if shes walking or whatever by then.

Ive had so many bargains by checking amazon discount finder and argos clearance almost daily. Its all stashed under my bed under a throw. Dd just doesnt even think to look there but soon im gonna follow a tip from here keep it in a suitcase on the landing like its waiting to go into the loft.

Anorther reason I'm starting early is that I get quite a bit used from ebay, and second hand toy prices really shoot up in the run up to Christmas when everyone is bidding. One year I bought a big, beautiful Mamas and Papas rocking horse in August for £50, I was the only bidder. By November you couldn't get the same one for under a hundred, and most were going higher than that.

December is very busy for me - lots of church stuff, lots of family stuff, school stuff etc etc
The thought of adding shopping to that makes me go all sweaty and shaky.
I also do 80 per cent of my Xmas shopping online and have been known to get it gift wrapped!

I started in December January already but I'm not quite ready for a christmas list, not yet.
But don't let me spoil any fun I think it's great to be organised.

im another one who starts early, I will be getting married at the very end of the year so started shopping early this year. My DC are still only small so have finished theres already, only need to get DS2 a fisher price cookie jar shape sorter & then get 3 more things for DS1 so he has 14 presents like his brother...still thinking on those things tho, will probs wait till nearer the time incase he asks for anything.

We only by for our DC, eachother, both our parents & my 2 sisters. Although will be making hampers this year so thats me next thing to start on.

Also need to do the stockings fillers & the Christmas eve hampers.

A total aside, but I want to warn lauracindy that the fisher price cookie jar shape sorter is the most irritating toy I have ever, ever come across. Dd was given one, it has gone to live at dmil's house. I am normally quite chilled, but it was beyond endurance.

Of course, dd loves it.

I have to agree, that cookie sorter is torturous :o get a silent wooden one instead on the premise it is more durable and probably cheaper :)

Great idea, inspiring me to get organised!

Hope you don't mind the thread hijack but DD will be two at Xmas, what sort of toys would go down well? She's just started getting into tv so I would like to pick up one or two branded bits as and when I see them - but what else do 2yr olds like?! Will she be too young for a microscooter?! I clearly don't know any 2yr olds! TIA

OhTinky some other ideas are a toy kitchen (we got one for our dd's christmas and she loves it and still plays with it every day.) She also likes her teaset, arts and craft stuff, rocking horse / hobby horse and her dolls pram.

She's just started using her scooter recently and it didn't take her too long to get the hang if it so your dd may not be too young for it.

Thank you ladies for the heads up on the shape sorter. Will try and find something less annoying, we already have a singing pull along duck and I want to smash it everytime it goes off lol x

I have officially started! It was only a princess diary for dd which cost 99p, but it's a start.

ohtinky my dd got a toy kitchen which she loved for her 2nd birthday. She also really loved the Happy Land stuff from ELC.

I'm doing a Christmas Eve hamper for the first time this year . DS will be 2. I'm including a Christmas film, pyjamas, and hot chocolate I think. Any other ideas?