Crazy or Clever?

[RBW18]

The lead up to the Christmas is always mad in our house, impulse buying last minute gifts for people we have forgotten, stupidly busy at work so we have no time to put real thought into gifts, wrapping presents before work and late at night - I just hate the whole season until Christmas eve when I'm sat with a very large gin...

Not this year (grin)

I came across loads of May Bank holiday sales whilst I had a spare hour and I've managed to buy presents for all the children on our list and even a few stocking fillers for our little girl. All for a fraction of what I would spend normally. I'm thinking around August/September I'll have another mooch online and hit the summer sales...

Hoping for a stress free Christmas and actually enjoy the season this year...

Sounds great but I like to get a sense of what people need/want closer to the time. Avoiding duplicates etc. I could maybe do this for stocking fillers and token gifts but I tend not to buy too many of them.

I think it's fab, I buy for people all year round whenever I see something they'd like so it spreads it out. Saying that though I am waiting until a bit closer to Christmas to but for DS as he's changing too fast for me to know what to buy him!

That's brilliant RBW18 Can I ask what sales? I'd hate to miss out

I've only got stocking fillers for my daughter as she's 5 going on 15 and changes her mind so often depending on what her friends like but I can deal with her presents and the husband. If I can get the majority out the way ill be happy (smile)

MrsCrimbo74 I've been on Bodyshop they have 25% off with the code:14672, got a couple of lovely bits for my mum, sister and nieces. The Poundshop online have quite a few 'One Pound' bits, colouring books, chalk etc for stocking fillers. Boots have a clearance section for smaller gifts, smellys etc. Debenhams have a toy sale. A website called BargainMax I brought a load of little bits for the kids. Tesco Direct also have a sale section which was perfect for the under 3's. If I find any more ill let you know (grin)

You need to keep a list of what youve bought for who though. Come september you wont remember what you bought in june.

I second keeping a list of what's for who! Or post it notes on items where you can.

Last Christmas I was as beautifully organised as you are, without a list I was sat surrounded by presents on Christmas Eve, with newborn DS on my lap, thinking 'who on earth did I buy this hideous looking photo frame for?'

I'm still not sure that even half the recipients got the gift I originally bought for them.

I've had a spread sheet going since January. Names of people, presents of what I have brought and a running total. I will highlight people when I have done them so I know I can focus on someone else not highlighted. Sad I know but a highlight/spreadsheet keeps me calm (grin)

OP - I think you're officially winning at Christmas !