You get a present, and you get a present YOU ALL GET PRESENTS!!! *hyperventilates*

[thedinosaur]

For the first time ever I'm starting present shopping in plenty of time.
I'm due with DC2 in December so I need to have everything finished and ready by the end of November.
Me and DP always end up looking like the last minute disorganised ones and I really want to have my stockings (I know I know) in a row this year.

I need help from you wise mumsnet Christmas experts!

I'm on a budget. Around £15- 20 per person. It would be perfect if I could get things online rather than running around shops as I have a toddler. (I do have Amazon prime)
I'm really stuck for ideas as I want the gifts to be nice.
People I have to buy for: - I'm putting ages as I think it's relevant

• DBil and DSIL
• 2 nephews (5 yo)
• DSIL2 (30s)
• DMiL and DFiL (60-70yo)
• my DM and DF (in their mid/late 40s)
• DBro (22)
• DAunt (60s)

I'm also hoping to get some generic bits if we go visit any friends - I'm thinking maybe quality street/other sweet boxes? Or maybe things for their DCs as we have a group of friends who all have toddlers?

Also would appreciate any tips on how to stay organised and on top of everything during the Christmas period with DC1 and new baby, thank you cards, Xmas cards etc.

We are definitely not doing anything for guests at our house this year but it would be nice to just have a little celebration as a 4 around Christmas.

Spreadsheet! You have your list of who you want to buy for I would aim to have 2 a week sorted by then. You don't have to buy them if you don't want but think about each person, fill it on the sheet and have DDay in your head for when they are ordered on. (If you don't but as you go). First thing to get started, get your Christmas and Thank you cards online,including stamps, and tick the first job off the list.

There's an app called Sandra's Bag which is fab.

For parents/in laws could you do little hampers each with a nice smelly candle and some little treats like biscuits, cookies, chocolates? That's what we are thinking of this year.

Santa's bag obviously not Sandra's

Sandra's bag I was intrigued when I first read that!

Come and join the Christmas bargain threads!

When mine were all young and a full nights sleep was my wildest fantasy I found it easiest to do Christmas presents by theme, so one year everyone got books, the next year jewellery, the next year stationery...
it helped a lot to narrow it down, and just find a book that X would like, when I barely had the cognitive capacity to tie my shoelaces and I could do one big order, get everything gift wrapped, and know that it was all in hand so I could concentrate my efforts on the fun Santa stuff.
It also meant that I wasn't in danger of giving anyone the same gift twice in a row.

Now that the kids are older and I get enough sleep to function like a normal human I have more time to think and browse and choose so keeping track is vital. I used to have a notebook but I find it better to keep a list on my phone just because that's always in my hand.

If you look on the bargain thread we're all buying playmobil fire engines from Tesco - £10 with a code - they would be great for the 5 yr old nephews.

If you start too early and too organised You will get THE TWITCH

Breathe deep and don't give in.

Marble runs for the 5 year olds.
And a fake poo ..... never fails to delight a small boy

Thanks for the replies. Going to look at some bargain threads!

Realised my budget might be even more stretched due to some unexpected outgoings