Yes. Yes I am a bit smug.

[LokiBear]

Disclaimer: Christmas Thread.

My family and friends are starting to panic about Christmas. Over the last two days I have been reminded several times by several people that there are only 8 weeks and one pay day left until Christmas. My response: "I know. I'm almost finished" has lead to much name calling! They all laughed at me when I started planning in July and called me silly. Yes, I am now smug and I'm not even a tiny bit sorry! Anyone else?

I like to get something done early, I can't do all of it though, I don't even know where I will be at Christmas yet or exactly who will be there. Also, others in my family don't tend to start thinking about it till the end of November, so if I get too far ahead I won't have any budget left for their requests. They would not be happy if I mentioned it now, but later they will make specific lists. I may not be able to wait for them, the bargains thread is too tempting!

Im smug too

I'm pretty much done too.

I have been self employed and last week was my last working week so for practical reasons I aimed to have the bulk of it done before the money stopped coming in. I'm not in as much of a panic now while I'm looking for work as I know we can manage now that Christmas is more or less taken care of.

Plus there are only 3 weekends in December this year and I like to spend them doing Chritmassy things with the dc's.

I'm not smug but I am mildly content

bought nothing. my 2 don't even know what they want!! fascinated by how some of you have even done stockings already.

I'm nearly finished too and I've wrapped everything that I've bought! Just got to get a present for my brothers and mum from dd and maybe a couple of bits for my nan and step nan and then I'm done, I'm planning to get it all done by the beginning of December so then I can have some money left over for little days out for dd and yummy Christmas food

You get better bargains if you leave it until the last minute.

I love the buzz of the shops in town in December.

I'm happy to leave my shopping until then.

Loki, I feel satisfied I suppose you could call it smug but I am not comparing myself to anyone except myself I suppose in times past.

I have a few more things to get but the main bulk is Done done done.

It does feel great but I have slight anxiety about being robbed before xmas or having a house fire.

I do feel great, have some really lovely things booked, flu jabs all done. All is well, I am very aware life can change on a six pence so glad bulk is out of the way.

You get better bargains if you leave it until the last minute

I have noticed bargins seem to come just after xmas, well before and just just before....everything I have has been on offer or reduced pretty much...

Today, sil said 'please can I have a voucher for dn for Xmas, as he has enough stuff'.

My response ' you should have told me that 6 month ago when I bought his present'.

Can I be smug with you?
I've only got a friends two children left to buy for and I'm done

I have been on the case since May and have saved in the region of £400 with sales and discounts.
I've yet to wrap anything but I like to do that in December with a Christmas film

Done it all and wrapped everything except 3 things now. Including my own

I'm always organised for Christmas as all birthdays expect mine fin this house fall between October and Christmas.

I've just got to get dh main, mum, sister and my friends children otherwise I'm done.

Wow! I started today.

I bought some gift tags and new decorations for the tree. That makes me

DS's haven't really thought about what they would like yet so I wouldn't get anything for them yet.

Do those of you who shop early just buy things that you think the recipient would like/need? What about actual requests for things that will definitely get used (like the one for the voucher above)? Do you not feel that you are just buying something for the sake of it / because it's on offer?

I have too many birthdays between summer and Christmas. I couldn't even begin to care until dd's birthday in October. I have several more birthdays in November and December but they get bought as part of my Christmas shopping. I'm not a panicker though, so I'm not really bothered if I haven't even started by mid December. Lol

I usually shop early but I am at a more organised stage than I usually am this time of year so I am happy.

To the person who asked about how you know what people want early, I start with those people who are consistent. My older son is autistic he has very set, specific interests. He doesn't ask for toys, wouldn't understand the concept of choosing something from an advert or the Argos catalogue. So it is easy to buy for him early and know it will still be something be loves.

My younger son is very little, too little to ask for toys. I just see what he plays with and what he most likes.

My husband does a wishlist, he has a fairly unusual interest so it is possible to buy for him early and get him exactly what he wants. My mother also has constant likes and a wishlist she updates on a regular basis.

I leave my friends and brothers till later as they are the ones more likely to change their mind.

I don't buy things for the sake of it or because they are on offer. I make a draft Christmas list choosing what I want to buy for each person then spend my time trying to get that item on the best deal possible. Camelcamelcamel is great for that.

I do mention to people I have started shopping and suggest they send me any ideas or update their wishlists so I allow for specific requests in that way.

In previous years I didn't even start thinking about christmas until around mid November, and December was spent glued to the computer or getting caught in the mad rush. This is the first time I have started early and in comparison it's definitely time and money well spent. I've chosen carefully and saved loads rather than hastily grabbing things that aren't within budget and not really needed just because I've ran out of time. It's a huge weight lifted knowing the bulk is done I've seen the error of my ways!

The only shopping I have left to do will be done online at the end of the month leaving me free to enjoy the run up with the dcs.
I understand where usualsuspect is coming from with regards to the christmas buzz of the shops which is why I will leave room to 'twitch'! Listed items however, are all done as I wouldn't want to be going on a mission for a specific thing in the few weeks before. I'm suddenly reminded of the film 'jingle all the way'.............

I'm secretly smug

I don't like to buy too early as my lot change their minds so much about what they would like in the months and weeks before chrristmas.
I actually like the frenetic shopping in the last few weeks. It feels much more festive buying things in shops when they have the decorations up.

I'm done too, just waiting for the outcome of a bid on EBay . Feels great.

I've got a couple of vouchers to get and I'm done. I'm a bit smug too.

Here is to a relaxed and festive December!

I started to seriously start Christmas shopping...well actually it never ends - one year starts to merge into another!

But I started to get into the habit when DS2 was due in November and knew I had to get it all done before his due date as I didn't want to be traipsing the shops with a newborn, a toddler and my dangly uterus! When Dsis both had their first DC they stated that they weren't going to be buying presents that year as they have too much to prepare for when their babies were due...their DC were born MONTHS after Christmas (and they had hardly anything to prepare for as they got all of my old baby stuff and hands on help! Not that they ever said thanks ) This really cheesed me off that I'd bothered to be organised when I could have played the 'I'm pregnant and apparently that renders me as a useless delicate flower who can't hack abit of planning' card.

...Sorry about that little rant - I've buried that for a few years and now I'm pg again every little thing enrages me to Incredible Hulk levels!

Haha! I feel your pain regarding ungrateful siblings. I gave my brother a sofa on Saturday for his new flat. Only 4 years old, in very good condition, shampood and cleaned. Plus an almost new TV stand. He didn't even so much as text me a thank you! Being organised suits my personality. I feel way less stressed when I'm fully prepared.