Why would you start planning Christmas this early?

[mintchocchick]

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?

This year it's definitely cost but previous years it's been for convenience. I've had two children in early Jan and so have had to be prepared in advance. Before that it was simply so I could enjoy the run up to Christmas without being one of the headless chickens.

I like to spend December relaxing and enjoying Christmas parties, family get togethers etc without the pressure of having to organise everything.

Even if I don't make all of my purchases this early I like to have a good idea of what I'm buying for people then I can keep an eye out for offers and discounts.

This year our baby is due right after Christmas and I don't want to have to lift a finger in December if I don't want to!

I like to get it done early so we can focus on enjoying the season, without last minute panics. DDs birthday is just over a week before Christmas so I like all present buying/wrapping/card writing/posting done way before then.

This year we're away from dd's birthday until the 23rd December, so even more need to be organised.

I save all year, so the budget for presents is sorted, however, it's amazing how much extra cash you need in December though for festive family trips, work Christmas parties, lunches out while shopping etc. I really don't know how people manage if they leave it all to the last minute and the last pay day.

Lots of good offers and sales on at the moment, I start early to save money ( I never pay full price ), also I hate shopping nearer Christmas when the shops are busy and full of people coughing and sneezing over each other, I try and get it all finished by December.

I started in January. I bought lovely PJs from The White Company for dd, ds, nephews and neice - all 75% off plus Cath Kidston bag for dd, books, and dressing gowns for both dc all majorly reduced. I also do it to spread the hassle and cost. We are eating out on Christmas Day this year too and that has already been booked and paid for. I save with Park catalogue and also Tesco Christmas savers - have done this for the past 3 years and love having that money mid November! Because I save I don't have to worry about the cost. I but a lot of stuff via Amazon which saves the hassle of shopping!

I start early for a number of reasons- so that I can spread the cost (not very good at saving but better at buying little bits each month),I work in a 24/7 job so have to start negotiating christmas rota around about now, and I panic if I leave things to the last minute.

Also ds Birthday is December 27th so I have to plan for that too - my baby will be 9 this yr

I pesonally like to get my Christmas shopping completed by the end of November, so that I can enjoy Christmas.

Most of the Christmas sacks I buy for my DDs are practical items; socks and pants, clothes, things they need for their hobbies, Chocolates and sweets etc. This won't change and I usually start buying bits and bobs from the summer sales onwards.

My DDs have their birthdays in November, so after that I buy toys and items they want / ask for. They then have a clear idea of what they want.

I usually have a day Christmas shopping for other family members with my mum during the October half term. All items are put away into a big box ready to be wrapped.

Then, December comes and I'm ready to enjoy Christmas.

The first weekend we decorate the tree and house.

Another weekend we take the children to buy their Christmas presents, see Father Christmas and do the Christmas activity (usually ice skating or the like).

Another weekend is their Christmas display.

Some time with the children spent making Christmas gifts for family etc.

And Christmas is here. Every weekend in December is spent doing something enjoyable in the lead up to Christmas, because the hard work has already been done!