Right. I want to be all done by December 1st....

[admiralclingus]

I work in retail. The last 2 years have involved mad dashes round town after working all day with some horrible people taking out their Christmas woes on you and spending 73 billion hours waiting in queues and trying to avoid the crowds!

So I want to be organised by the first, nothing left to buy and only wrapping and decorating to worry about.

Anyone else up for the challenge?

Oh I'm definitely in. However the twitch gets me like nothing else! In fact I am kirstoll on that twitch thread and nannyplumforpm on the next years thread!

I have started with a big studiocards order, but I am going to hopefully do one group a month (per payday) dh has just got a new job eventually so hopefully Christmas will be easier on the old finances, although I have an extra dd to cater for.

Now if only I don't twitch for cheese, because i really do have a problem.....

I am in this year. Need to be all done by the end of November. DH is a builder and the sites shut down for 2 weeks over Christmas so while it's great that he is home we loose 2 weeks of his wages so I like to have nothing other than good shopping to get in December. Am also due DC2 in jan so will need to be organising that as well.

Right I got started this morning and ordered my nephew a Dr Who watch and got my niece a book for her birthday in December. So that's 1 Christmas present done! Am planning on doing one a week plus have DH birthday in Sept too.
I tried to include some of those Christmas bags in with my online shop this week but Sainsburys still have there summer shop only online. Guess we are ahead of the supermarkets even this year!

*food not good!

I'm in. I want to enjoy December not still be shopping! I have already bought my niece and nephews gifts so they are done. I have bought most off DD's gifts too. I have only paid full price for one thing so far. An 'ariel' dressing up outfit that she is desperate for. Everything else has been on sale. I only have a few things left to get and I'm waiting to see what offers come out as we get nearer. Hoping to get rugby world cup tickets for my dad next month and maybe my brother. I have bought a Christmas organiser and wrote down the price of everything so that I can avoid the twitch. I looked at DD's presents stacked neatly in the cupboard yesterday and found myself worrying that it didn't look like much. It helped to remind myself that I have already spent £85 (should have been £140 though!) I am going to focus on the experience this year not the size of DD's pile. I will not try and compete with the grandparents to make Santa's pile the most impressive because it is silly. The traditions are what is important. I will avoid the twitch!

Oh yes not competing with the grandparents in laws from hell vair vair important

Another parcel arrived this morning! I need to stop this month now! No more!

Just realised we are flying to Conneticut on December 3rd so all has to be done present wise here. Phoned up SIL and we arranged the food already. Still haven't written a list for myself or asked DH what he'd like but we're nearly there!

Count me in got all cards and wrapping in boxing day sales and probably about 1/2 Christmas shopping done. Also my DS birthday and his friends birthdays in October are all done.

Lokibear, you have just given me the twitch with mentioning RWC tickets. It may solve a problem of what to get DH, but obviously Ireland is a popular team as "tickets from £15" doesn't count in that instance [shocked].

But I might see if a 6 Nations ticket, maybe even away, might be a runner...or does the budget allow RWC so close...h,pmm.

How we all doing?

None of my Christmas stuff has arrived yet except DDS elsa dress which I tried on her and she looks bloody adorable in!

Everyone is planned for, except his mother still!!!!!

admiral you do realise that you need to start a thread about your horrible pre-Christmas customers who are spilling over with every emotion apart from Goodwill to All Men.

'Tis your duty

I'm biding my time 70
We get our Christmas lines in September I think so it all begins soon!!!!

Boxing day usually provides the best customers, but I don't think I'll be working it this year

Oooo brilliant thread.
I aim to be done by the end of October so we can save a bit more more money for December. We have a big Christmas Fayre that happens locally and I never really get to enjoy it because of money so this year I really hope too

So far I've brought for MIL, 3 neices and all of DD's except her main present which will be a bike. My mum is almost finished and have a few stocking bits for DP. (Some of which yet to arrive) Which leaves 5 family members and DP to go

Admittedly I have been on the case since May but I have saved a small fortune.
Im excited by the postman daily. I'm currently waiting on 29 parcels

I went into town for the first time in months and months today and got some gorgeous woodland wrapping paper (non christmas) , getting on the bus to come home a woman said to me
"ooh got your wrapping paper to start on your Christmas Shopping then, blimey your early" She nearly fell off her chair when I said
"god no, I'm nearly finished!" I did get a few looks on the bus.

I'm in! Finances this year are direr than dire and I'd love to be able to take DD out and do lovely Christmassy things in December without having to stress so much about getting things done/wrapped/paid for.

So far I've done DD twitch notwithstanding, DNephews, friends' kids, DM, MIL, BILx3, DSis and have made a start on DH. Just DF, DGF, SMIL, FIL, two more BILs and a SIL to go! And 3 paydays to do it in! faints

Also if anyone has any ideas for the man who has everything and has the money to buy it if he didn't then please, throw them my way. DF has had shirts from me for the last four years - guess what DM's suggestion for this year was!

I got a missed delivery notice yesterday, DH wondered what had he forgotten he'd ordered (he gets a lot from amazon). I collected it today while they were out, my collection!! Including a stocking filler for dd, 3 bits for DH, part of a birthday present for my dad, and 3 more Christmas presents. So I was able to put them away in peace

A tie Malibu?!

I spent an hour wrapping today too. But at was 4 birthday presents and an engagement present. At least it means the wrapping station is set up and ready though!

I plan to be more organised this year. Last year we moved 2 weeks before Xmas so it was all rather rushed. I couldn't order much online for risk of it not arriving before move date and after the move was too late. Alot of people got Vouchers last year!

This year should be easier... no moving and both girls in school from sept so shopping in peace! Now if only I had a clue what to buy them!? Any ideas for 2 girls aged 4 and 6 that have everything!?

I suggested a tie (Liberty of London naice silk one natch) but was shot down with "But you know I'll just wash it and ruin it!" . Apparently I should thank my poor DM for her infamous clothes shrinking/destroying ways because this is the reason my DF requires a new wardrobe of shirts on a bi-yearly basis.

Have just brought him another golf book, and football books for the DGFs so that's a few more ticked off.

I've had another 5 parcels arrive this morning and have ordered another 2.
I'm doing well

Im really disappointed that I didn't come home from work to ONE SINGLE PARCEL

I'm expecting to get home next weekend from my holiday to about 30 lol!

Ive just made a wish list on the Smyths toy store website when I get paid the end of sept im going to buy most of whats on the wishlist.

Im definitely more organised this year got lists galore. I was running around like a headless chicken last december.

DH orders Amazon / eBay things so many days there's a small grey parcel in the porch.
But it's usually something like a cable or a connector for the TV.
Or DD phone covers (she has a millionty of them )

He gets very judgey at my QVC parcels

mabli I have this problem with fil. I think I've bought him red wine every year for the last 8 years. Must be a bit more creative this year. Men are so much harder to buy for than women.

pigleychez snap I have 2 girls 4 and 6. I'll be buying them lots of small things. So far I have bought them puppets (to do shows together, that won't turn into a fight!), and a my little pony onesie and tshirt for dd1 and a Disney princess onesie and handbag for dd2. Dd1 loves arts and craft things and reading and dd2 is more into Lego and playmobil so I'll be hanging out in the bargains thread for those.

Feeling pleased with my little stack of presents. Have also bought puppets for two of dds cousins and a liberty scarf for mil.

And on Monday I cooked gammon in the slow cooker for the first time. It was yummy. That'll be our Xmas eve / Boxing Day meal.