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Christmas

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Original poster

How ready are you?

80 replies

One2Three4Five6 · 24/10/2018 17:17

Just had a sort out in my room, and looked through the stash of presents...
Between that and my several shopping baskets waiting until payday, I think we are done present wise! I didn't think I was.

All we need now are some more stocking filler bits and the food.
I think this is the earliest ever that I've been at this stage.
I'm sure that there will be something I have forgotten though! Confused

OP posts:
SoyDora · 24/10/2018 18:47

DownstairsMixUp there isn’t much difference between buying things bit by bit and putting money aside every month and doing the physical buying in November/December, which is what I do. We certainly couldn’t afford to buy everything out of one pay check, so I put aside a bit each month (not that we spend all that much to be honest).

SoyDora · 24/10/2018 18:53

Not that I’m saying my way is the right way, I don’t care when others do their Christmas shopping! But I don’t think it’s out of touch with reality to save money throughout the year and do it in Nov/dec.

HoldMeCloserTonyDanza · 24/10/2018 18:59

I've booked some tickets for Christmassy events, and today I ordered a themed advent calendar for DD2. I've also made a note of some things they've mentioned an interest in. I'll do most shopping in early December. We will travel back to my home country when school breaks up on the 14th so I want to have everything delivered in plenty of time.

Bumbumtaloo · 24/10/2018 20:12

I’ve also bought dd’s Birthday presents for the 28th and amazingly I’ve even remembered cards and wrapping paper before they all disappear!

nicebitofquiche · 24/10/2018 20:19

I'm not middle class. I'm very working class, at times in my life I've been a member of the underclass. But I hate competitive Christmas shopping. I save my money up and do it in December because that's when I start to feel in the mood for Christmas. The OP asked the question and I gave an answer.

Lovemusic33 · 24/10/2018 20:30

middleclass for doing things in December?
The reason shy I’m doing it in December is because I can afford to do it earlier, I save a bit each week and when December gets here I should have enough to buy it all in one hit and I will spend less than I would if I started in September. Not a middleclass thing at all, just the way I do it. Just don’t see the point in wrapping gifts in October myself but if others want to that’s fine. I prefer to do it whilst drinking baileys on a cold decembers day.

costacoffeecup · 24/10/2018 20:32

Not ready at all. But that's ok as there are still two months to go...that's a sixth of a year!

MissMarplesKnitting · 24/10/2018 20:42

Trying to spread cost and stress. Run up to Christmas is always crazy (birthdays, teacher based stress too) sonic try and do some things.

Sloe gin is brewing.
Got few things for kids.
Decorations I love doing so I've dried orange slices etc ready to start crafting.

Honeyroar · 24/10/2018 20:57

I've no idea what class I am, all I know is this year I'm totally skint and don't believe in going OTT for Xmas. I also don't like the competitiveness of those that do it early and are so smug they try and make others feel bad. Especially those that call people twats or middle class if they don't agree with them! 🙄

NoWordForFluffy · 24/10/2018 20:59

You're reading a totally different thread to me. I don't see any competitiveness or smugness from those of us who shop early / pick suitable bits up as we see them during the year. Though I suppose it can be difficult to read tone from text.

davisday · 24/10/2018 21:00

I said people were being twats. It wasn't because they don't agree with what I do, it was because of the twattish tone used to do it.

I don't care what anyone does. There is no right or wrong, there is also no need to look down on those who do something differently.

NoWordForFluffy · 24/10/2018 21:02

I don't care what anyone does. There is no right or wrong, there is also no need to look down on those who do something differently.

^ That!

Bigpizzalover · 24/10/2018 21:02

I’m done for everyone, even started wrapping, I buy through the year in the sales, starting in the January sales. I’m even done for DC2 Birthday in February

Honeyroar · 24/10/2018 21:03

Well calling someone a twat isn't exactly not implying a twattish tone either, is it? It makes you the same as them.

CartwheelCath · 24/10/2018 21:16

I'm a bit lost as to who offended who where on this thread.
I just see people answering the question.
There is no roghtnor wrong. What works for me won't work for others.
I'm glad some.pwole get there done early cos I'm always a December bit and it mad enough out there shopping as it is. If you eatly organused bunch joined tge December madness too it would be even busierGrin

I have become more and more turned off by the commercial Christmas we do get rammed down our throats though. I find I buy less and less every year now. Although I shop in December I do budget all year for it. My biggest enjoyment of Christmas is the food and socialising. If rather prepare several good meals and spend time with people rather than buy and receive gifts. But that's just me and I certainly don't judge what anyone else does. In fact what I love about Christmas is finding out how other people celebrate the season.

One of my favourite bits is having Christmas carols on with a glass of sherry whilst wrapping my gifts. Usually a few days before Christmas. I love to feel that Christmas magic feeling whilst wrapping.

SoyDora · 24/10/2018 21:24

I'm a bit lost as to who offended who where on this thread

Me too Grin. I was just slightly bemused at the assertion that people are ‘middle class’ and out of touch with reality if they choose to save throughout the year and do their shopping towards the end of the year rather than buy early.

dementedma · 24/10/2018 21:35

i've started with stockings and identified a couple of ideas, but still have most of it to do.
Get paid tomorrow so will buy a few things online

davisday · 24/10/2018 21:36

Well calling someone a twat isn't exactly not implying a twattish tone either, is it? It makes you the same as them.

Not really. But if you can't see that

pumpkinpie01 · 24/10/2018 21:43

I wanted to have everything done by December bar the wrapping so we weren’t skint in December but don’t think that’s quite going to work out , I am trying thou and have got quite a few presents

Honeyroar · 24/10/2018 22:04

No sorry I really don't see that Daisy. Calling people twats doesn't come across in a nice tone to me and it loses you the moral ground. But merry Xmas to you.

davisday · 24/10/2018 22:51

I wasn't aiming for any moral ground. I just think people don't need to be twats and look down on others for shopping early.

If thinking people should just be nice is wrong then so be it.

Justabadwife · 24/10/2018 22:52

I'm at a place where if I didn't buy another thing then everyone would have at least 1 thing. Apart from PILs as they are ridiculous to buy for
I just seem to have started really early. But I have what looks like Amazon warehouse in my bedroom. It's a good job dd doesn't rummage. 😂😂
Got to start on the wrapping soon though pass me the vodka

GreenTulips · 24/10/2018 23:04

I buy in December because kids birthdays come first and I have no idea what they'll get or what's left to buy. Plus if they get enough money they tend to buy themselves something bigger.

I'm not buying twice.

And yes I save and wait.

Angelcd · 25/10/2018 10:04

Im almost done with buying gifts, i have 5 children so i have to start early or we would never make it. I like to wrap in dec tho to get in the xmas mood x

Original poster
One2Three4Five6 · 25/10/2018 10:27

Oh dear, I seem to have started a battle on this thread, which I did not mean to do!
Does it really matter though? I just asked out of curiosity, I am NEVER ready this early usually, I didn't ask out of 'smugness' about being done or nearly done.
Some of the responses on here were unfair I think, on both sides.
We all do things differently, which is fine!
Given that this is posted in the Christmas topic, where people seem to be excited for Christmas earlier than on the other boards I thought I'd be safe asking here, lesson learned!

Personally, I HATE shopping in December, everything has been marked up, shops are far too crowded (It's already started to become crowded where I live)
Throw into that my horrendous anxiety and it's just not a good mix.
Despite that, I'm still not usually ready until mid December so this year should be a massive relief on my anxiety.
I'm also in a better position financially this year, thanks to a new role at work, so I've been able to start earlier without having to scrimp and save like I've had to in previous years, which has helped massively. I usually pick up bits throughout the year regardless, bargains when I see them etc, but I've been able to get more at a time this year, so I've actually managed to be ready far earlier than expected.

On the downside now, I need to start wrapping, something that I HATE with a passion! I'd make DH wrap everything if I could get away with it lol

OP posts:
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