Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Why would you start planning Christmas this early?

58 replies

mintchocchick · 02/10/2013 08:03

Convince me!

I'm itching to get going but have a personal rule that I don't start anything related to Christmas until after half term holidays - no web searching, certainly no shopping, no discussions/thoughts about food or present ideas!

Can't for the life of me think why I created this rule but it's been in my head for 13 yrs ever since having children. I think I didn't want my whole autumn to be consumed by Christmas. But I love Christmas, it's such an excitement and despite my kids being 13 and 8, I have loads of rituals that they love/talk about, appreciate and they really get into the whole thing.

Waiting till Nov is one of my rituals - shall I scrap it and start now? Why do you start this early? Does the excitement wear off by December? Are you exhausted with it all by then?

OP posts:

hermioneweasley · 02/10/2013 08:07

It makes life much easier - spreads the work of finding gifts and wrapping them, spreads the cost and frees up December for baking Xmas cookies instead of madly shopping and wrapping. Makes Christmas much more enjoyable IMO

desperateforaholiday · 02/10/2013 08:08

I like to be prepared, I only like to shop for stocking fillers in December, I like spreading the cost out. Nothing worse than rushing around the shops trying to find everything I want/need with loads of people trying to do the same.
Plus its my favourite time of year and I like making lists

Original poster

mintchocchick · 02/10/2013 08:10

Do you not worry that you might buy a present now, then change your mind about it by Dec? I usually spend Nov doing research then actually buy everything in December.

I can see the freeing up Dec for baking thing though, sounds lovely

OP posts:

FuckyNell · 02/10/2013 08:11

Gives me something to do!!

MarjorieAntrobus · 02/10/2013 08:13

No, I'm like you and don't start this early.

I think I used to feel the pressure to begin Christmas preps about when school went back in September. What changed me was living in the USA for a year. There, the events were Halloween (end of Oct, obviously) then Thanksgiving (end of November) then either Christmas or Hannukah (end of December).

The fact that Christmas could be ignored until after Thanksgiving really struck a chord with me. I find that Christmas is a bit like packing for a holiday in that it will take however long you allow it.

So, now, I don't let it begin until December 1st.

hermioneweasley · 02/10/2013 08:14

Mint - re presents, for grown ups I buy now, and kids stockings I do now. Younger Dc I will leave until closer to the time as they do change their minds, but it's still a lot of the work out of the way.

BearsBeetsBattlestarGalactica · 02/10/2013 08:15

I'm doing it this year (as in sorting out presents early) so that I am not poor over christmas/new years.

QueenofClean · 02/10/2013 08:16

I start earlier to spread the cost tbh. The only thing I mainly get in December is the food shop the week before.

Original poster

mintchocchick · 02/10/2013 08:18

I'm not sure that I could get any of my family to discuss ideas of what they want this early. We're all a bit last minute, particularly DH. He baulks at me discussing ideas in early Nov!

I might need to write a list of the things I can do without consultation with him - everything except kids presents. So I could do other family, stocking fillers in advance.

OP posts:

fieldfare · 02/10/2013 08:19

Spreads the cost, allows me to find some bargains, means I can get hold of something dd really wants instead of having a mad panic at the last minute because they're all sold out.
Also means that we're free to celebrate my Dad's birthday in mid December, I can take the kids to the theatre, we meet up with family for meals, we can do Xmas crafts, bake, make gifts for people and relax a bit instead of it all feeling rather rushed.

wordfactory · 02/10/2013 08:21

I love Christmas.

But I don't start planning yet. For one thing, until this morning, we've been having great weather.

Also, we like to make a bit of a fuss of Halloween and Bonfire Night, so I approach it one festival at a time.

Original poster

mintchocchick · 02/10/2013 08:21

In terms of the cost, I've always left it all till Nov/Dec, then ended up overdrawn with credit card issues for start of new year.

Last year, I set aside savings each month from about August onwards, then had this little pot of money to spend in December. Felt great to do it that way but it totally depends on other demands on finances. Not started saving this year so starting to buy things now would help.

OP posts:

wordfactory · 02/10/2013 08:21

That said, I make lists of possible presents throughout the year, so when the time comes I can narrow down my options and just get them! No faff!

DanielMcSpaniel · 02/10/2013 08:23

Its money and time. I detest christmas shopping with a passion so every time I can tick a present off the list I feel that little bit less miserable about the whole thing.

vix206 · 02/10/2013 08:27

Another one who does start early to spread the cost. This year I started in August because DC2 is due in January and I want to be able to take it easy in December!

Original poster

mintchocchick · 02/10/2013 08:29

I've just tried Lakeland website for my Mum - still worried I'll buy something then go off the idea by December!

Also where do you store stuff? I'm sure I'll buy something and loose it!

OP posts:

astonvanilla · 02/10/2013 08:30

I am due to squeeze out baby number two ten days before Christmas so starting Christmas shopping is helping to stop me panic, I hope!

youbethemummylion · 02/10/2013 08:30

I do it to spread the cost and to avoid the shops when they are crazy busy as that gives me the rage.

Original poster

mintchocchick · 02/10/2013 08:31

Aston and Vix - you definitely need to get it out the way now! Lovely though to have a baby around Christmas, it's such a really special time.

Hope you can both be spoiled by those around you and not have to make Christmas meal.

OP posts:

StitchingMoss · 02/10/2013 08:32

Spreads the cost and avoids those last minute desperation purchases!

attheendoftheday · 02/10/2013 08:36

I find early planning and preparation a pleasure and planning in late nov or dec a chore.

Preciousbane · 02/10/2013 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trixymalixy · 02/10/2013 08:41

I like to have time free in December to enjoy myself. I'll never forget the year we were still buying stuff on Xmas eve, I got stuck in the supermarket car park trying to get out for 45 mins as it was so busy. We were up until 1am wrapping and just didn't enjoy Xmas.

Plus I like to spread the cost. There are things I know the kids want that I think will be hard to get closer to Xmas like stompeez and those chill factor cups and that doc mcstuffins doll.

I also buy for DS's birthday now as its just after Xmas and there was one year that all the things I wanted to buy him were out of stock after Xmas and I ended up spending more than I would have if I'd bought before Xmas as rather than being on sale the prices had all gone back up!

QuietNinjaTardis · 02/10/2013 08:47

Because my baby is due on the 2nd dec so want to be sorted before that. Plus come nov/dec prices will go up so get shopping now I say!

fuzzpig · 02/10/2013 08:59

I just do the behind the scenes stuff. Choosing presents etc. I hate crowded malls so better for me to do that in advance. IME it would only be exhausting/get boring if you get the DCs involved early - but they don't really get excited until they start preparing at school.

Flip

1 2 3