This is the most depressing series of threads I've ever seen...

[Wordsaremything]

Just that really. It's April.

I got free Christmas cards the other day. I mean, why the fuck would anyone want Christmas cards in April?

I've been saving since January for this Christmas

With Park, which usually causes a ruckus if you admit that on Mumsnet for some reason.

We're on a budget at the moment and I have a habit of planning for Christmas throughout the year, including picking things up in sales and as and when I see them. I got some bits in the January sales and am now all stocked up until 2017 with stocking fillers and toddler presents!

Only yesterday I ordered a specific Lego set from Amazon for my nephew's Christmas present that is hard to get and it was suddenly reduced. In fact, I pretty much have lots of my 2016 Christmas shopping done or at least planned. In that way I get nice, thoughtful presents for relatives for half the cost of buying at full price, and I save myself the stress of the rush close to Christmas.

I actually like the feeling of being organised that it gives me - I have lots of stressful things going on in other parts of my life and it's a little bit of indulgence to feel like I'm on top of something in my life, at least. Sometimes, if my life is particularly busy, I make time to write my Christmas cards in August and then I feel totally serene just for a few hours You may think it's crazy as stress relief, but it does it for me. apart from the year I had to throw all my lovingly-written cards in the bin as I broke up with my boyfriend in November

Leave us Christmas obsessives be! We are mostly harmless

I love Christmas and this is my favourite part of Mumsnet.

I like that we can chat and plan and know there are -usually- like-minded people about.

One of the best parts of planning all year is you can pick up all the bargains. 5p boxes of Christmas cards and 25p rolls of wrapping paper all safely stored in the loft for December. All of my friends children's birthday and Christmas presents bought for a tenth of the cost, yep again all stored safely away until needed.

In January I picked up the playmobil shopping centre for £42, which will be my LO main present this christmas, I really don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to do it this way

I plan Christmas all year.

I booked our cottage a month ago - as there are very few available near both our families. (DF was on to me on Monday night to tell me how fabulous it is - I think he will spend more time than usual with us this year!).

I talked to DD last week, as it happens, about whether she wants to do the Santa Train this year (we have tended to do it every 2nd year and this would be the year) - it books up in July. But she said no so I can skip that.

Some years I am well started on my craft projects for presents, as I have lots to give to - but this year is going to be a more "shop bought" year. I have got a few things though (I have over 50 to buy for). It's partly budgeting and partly trying to find nice things that they would like individually.

I have mince meat maturing - the longer the better for that.

I need to plan ahead for busy work season and also to be able to enjoy the festive season, not spend it racing around completely stressed out.

I think about some aspects of relationships a lot, so that I can manage expectations and be prepared when things go the same way as always - I can't change others but I can change how I will react to them. But that needs to be thought abut in peace, calm and quiet over a long period of time to identify the issues and see what can be done differently to have a different outcome.

And above all, I try to live with the spirit of Christmas in my heart all year long - it is about a season of goodwill to all, and why shouldn't that be a long season?

BTW - I really love the irony that the OP first posted on Rudolph Day - 25th of the month!!

I bought my first Xmas present in March. I don't spend that much really. I just prefer to grab an fab gift when I see it rather than wait until October and not know what to buy.

Ooh this thread reminded me that I need to book a panto! I like to plan ahead for Xmas, with 3 kids and being on a budget, I pick a few things as i go along so I'm all done by November, nowt wrong with that. I have loads to look forward to and I'm not wishing my life away in any way I just like to be organised.

It was snowing here today so I have to admit I felt a little Christmassy and sang Christmas songs in my head in my way home from work 😂😂😂.

I thought about Christmas last week - when I booked us a holiday in the sun! Can't bloody wait.

Yes, I like to plan, save, watch QVC Christmas in July (and I usually book the day off work if it falls on a work day)

I like to get most of it done by mid Dec , the stocking gifts start in October to get the nice little things that you need to search for.
Last year DD and I went Up London on the 23rd (we had family from 24th-27th so a busy household) . It was lovely, relaxed, we had a wander round John Lewis and hot chocolate.
I did think about the bonkers folk who start their shopping then.

My DC are 16 and nearly 14 so we won't have the same Christmases as when they were little. I did feel a huge pang of whistful envy when I saw parents and pre-schoolers at Lakeside and Bluewater. Queuing for the Grotto, looking at the lights.

I LOVE Christmas In July [happy place face]

This is the most OTT thread title I've ever seen.

Well not really but it is a pretty stupid title.

I'm going to go to The Litter Tray and tell them all how much I hate cats...

Well there is only 241 days to go until Christmas... Preparation is key.

This topic brings me happiness when I am having a difficult time! Thank you to all the ladies that keep this joyous topic going!

We are going on Cub camp at the weekend, and each patrol will have to do their campfire songs. One patrol - COMPLETELY unprompted by me!! chose "Jingle Bells" as their song - and I found a version of "Twas the night before Christmas" about scouts on camp (and a pizza delivery) that I will bring to make them laugh as well.

!!

I hope that will give you a burst of Christmassy good cheer MTWTFSS?!

Oh dear OP

Are you grumpy because you got coal in your stocking last Christmas? If you carry on being a grinch you'll be on the naughty list again this year!

I've just booked a holiday for the end of November. A week in the Canary Islands for dh's birthday. Oh no did I just organise a birthday present like 6 months early? I'll remember to leave it till the last minute in future OP as it would be completely ridiculous to plan for occasions so far in advance right?
Anyhoo, I nearly bought my first Christmas present on Wednesday but had my 4 year old with me so couldn't. Sainsburys have pineapple and flamingo stationary in which will be perfect for my pineapple loving 12year old as a stocking filler. I have to go back Monday to get it. Would be more crazy to leave the perfect present behind because it's "too early to buy it" then buy it, wrap it and store it away

I don't know why folk can't just live and let live, some love Christmas others don't. This is a Christmas topic. Just hide it!

Every year a friend of mine does her best to put a dampener on any festivities right up until Christmas Eve. As long as no one is pushing it down your neck how about you so your thing and let others do theirs

I've bought playmobil and Lego sets for my DC at 50% off. Given that reductions like that are very few and far between (especially on Lego), I got them and have them stashed in the loft. Id be mad not to really. I certainly don't spend thousands on Christmas, we have a fairly tight budget, so why not start buying early, spreading the cost and taking advantage of the sales? Has it not occured to you that people here are, by and large, trying NOT to spend outrageous sums of money at Christmas, and that's why they're spreading the cost and shopping in the sales (hence the bargain thread).

If you don't like it, don't come to the Christmas forum I guess. Plus you're saying it's a ghastly, angst filled day, but aren't you projecting just a little bit? Just because your experience has been bad, doesn't mean it's that way for everyone.

I happily think about Christmas every day.
Christmas makes me feel happy.
Why wouldn't I talk about it all year round.
It's the most wonderful time of the year :D

I was slightly late off the mark in booking Polar Express tickets for Dec 2016 on 5 Jan - most of the seats had already gone and all of the premium seats on the trains we wanted.

& to all fellow Christmas bargain hunters!

Well i also love Christmas. I save with Park and helps me budget. I buy bits through the year too.

So whoever doesnt like it and are shovced by the fact that some of us talk about it in June can frankly fuck off