Ok summer, off you pop I want to plan Christmas

[QueenOfIce]

I'm giddy already, eager to design my Christmas decor it'll be the same as every other year probably

I want an abundance of candles, twinkly lights, candles that smell of winter and Christmas. Making mulled wine, gingerbread and planning festivities.

Am I on my own here?

I won't start it until September, but looking forward to knitting another Nativity set - the first for Gdcs went down very well last year, so since I've got masses of different coloured yarns left, I thought of making another to offer to Gdd's (C of E) school, where she's starting reception in September.

If they don't want it for a classroom it might do for a raffle prize for their Christmas fair - I've seen similar offered on eBay etc. for £50+.

Other than that, all I've done so far is buy some RNLI Christmas cards at one of their shops in Cornwall last week.

:o I asked the dc the other day “are you feeling christmassy yet?’ They we’re not impressed.

I’m not actually super-organised about it and won’t do anything for ages, but it’s just that exciting autumn feeling and starting to get fed up of summer. Goodbye wasps, heat rash, stinky bins, and planning for a “sunny’ day out and getting pissed wet though. Roll on new boots, tights, strictly and snuggling under a duvet on the sofa.

I’ve been thinking about Christmas since January 😂 it’ll be my DD’s first and my sons starting to understand about Santa so it’ll be even more magical. We’re having 8 family members to join us and I honestly can’t wait!

Yes I'm really looking forward to planning Christmas which surprises me as I don't usually start this early!

After the death of both my parents this year and a house move in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to decorate our new lovely home and hopefully put this bloody awful year behind us.

Err that's the plan anyway! I'm even going to buy a new Christmas tree!

Also very excited for Christmas! I started buying presents in May

@Rumours0fAHurricane what an awful year for you. Hoping the house move goes smoothly and you have a great Christmas.

@TheFatberg aww thank you. Very kind.

It's a good focus right now I must say. And I do like planning Xmas anyway.

People just think you're slightly nuts to even mention it prior to about October

I love planning Christmas and start as soon as I’m back from summer holiday.

This is the first year my DSis in-law is settled and I’m worried she might ask us to hers for Christmas Day. I will be resisting at all costs.

Went through all my Christmas wrapping paper yesterday. No idea why I buy each year I have enough to wrap a lorry!

Last year I took a photo of all my Christmas wrapping (mainly boxes and money wallets) before they went in the loft so I know what I have . I was really impressed with myself and my organisation

I do like to buy new paper , over the years M&S have had some gorgeous ones (dark blue with snow-hares , The Snowman and black+bronze trees have been my favourites)

I need bags for DD Advent Calender , I used clear cellophane with adhesive 1-24 numbers and ribbon but I think this year I'll look for plain paper)

As a pp mentioned, I'm also after new stockings. Actual stocking shaped but bit larger than the usual welly sized ones you see...

Any ideas anyone? Don't mind paying a bit as they will be kept for years 😊

I like to start present buying nice & early as i have 3 DC and 8 neices and nephews plus all the adults so i have to spread the cost.

We use my husbands 13th payday which usually falls around august to start with the more expensive gifts for the kids (DH is paid 4 weekly) and then i buy a few bits each payday thereafter.

I just dont understand people who wont start xmas prep until december as surely then you're rushing around instead of enjoying the season?

I've been perusing gift ideas for my kids for a few months already and I've spent this afternoon pricing up what they want to find the best deals/prices, especially as because they are getting older the things they want are more expensive.

Christmas will be smaller this year as I'm not inviting all my family round (mostly because last year certain members treated me like a mug & a slave) so I'm actually looking forward to planning a more intimate day.

Really looking forward to Christmas this year. As siblings got older/married we’ve all been split over Christmas but this year my mum is insisting we all go to her like we used to God knows how we are all going to fit it’ll be our first Christmas as a family of 4 which is exciting too!

I’ll be on mat leave so money will be a bit tight - starting own business in the NY so need to be sensible 🙄

Bought DH an iPhone for his birthday/Christmas present so he’s sorted. Just got to buy for DCs (3.5 yr old & 3m old), my friends & my family do secret Santa. DH buys for the ILs.

My living room is grey/copper & our tree matches - it’s really beautiful. First year in what seems like forever that we won’t have builders here as major renovations are finally completed so house will look really pretty. Unfortunately can’t add any more fairy lights to the garden it can already be seen from space

@123tweet last year I bought stockings from EBay that you could personalise, they had different sizes, I got large ones and put my df and db presents in them.

I love this thread.

We always do Christmas Day just us, but after getting a little bored last year I asked my DH to invite his sibling for next year.

I'm excited to cook for others, and have been buying board games when I see them to put away for Xmas day.

Soon I'm going to start buying a bottle of something fancy that I will probably drink long before Xmas day to put away.

Really excited about Christmas (I am every year tbf). Although I love to make lists... I use an app called Gift. It lets you list all the people you want to buy for, write your gift ideas then click when you have bought/wrapped. It also let's you take a picture of what you have bought. I've used it for the last 3 years and it's really helpful to look back and see how you spent and what you bought and who for.

I've been buying bits a pieces for Christmas. My youngest is just about sorted and he is the most difficult child to buy for. My biggest concern is the tree. Our living room has different seating and furniture this year so not as much room and we got a kitten 2 weeks ago! I think we might have to have a little tree this year.

Has anyone with slightly older children started their shopping yet? I’m looking for ideas for my nearly 12 year old daughter who will also have a birthday in January.
Any ideas greatfully received. I should probably start a new thread!

@Joyfulincolour I have started.

I've got 2 adult DDs still living at home and a 12 year old DS who also has a January birthday.

Are you looking for stocking fillers or bigger presents?

Jewellery - there's a link on the Christmas bargain thread to Pilgrim jewellery that might have pieces that your DD would like.

A kindle - possibly wait for Black Friday although if you do a test drive with Vauxhall in the next couple of weeks you can get an Amazon product for free (you don't need to buy a car)

A nice bag for sleepovers perhaps with matching wash bag.

Dressing gown

Powerbank for emergency mobile charge - you can get some cute novelty designs

Chilly bottle

Tickets to a show or concert

Good quality artist pens and drawing paper/colouring pens and colouring book

Thanks Woolly- very helpful.

Our Christmas is the summer holidays so I’m waiting for winter to end. We usually start thinking about Christmas after ds2’s birthday in September but we didn’t do that well this year with most of the dc’s presents already bought.

We don’t have much to plan.

The morning is a mixture of lazing around, opening presents and eating croissants. Then it’s packing up some cold meats, pasta and salad and heading to the beach for a few hours in the afternoon. Early evening we might throw something on the bbq for dinner and open the wine. We’ll just get all our food stuff on our normal shopping day.

We do go to Australia a couple of weeks after Christmas though (to live) so I need to think about maybe having a smaller, more minimalist tree this year. Especially as we’re going to be sat in an almost empty house