Anyone else cheering themselves up by Christmas shopping?

[MovinOnUp]

Or am I alone in this? :) Thought I may find a kindred spirit in the Christmas topic.

It all started with the book people sale, The bargains were too good to resist, So I bought a few bits and pieces to put away for Christmas.

This cheered me up no end, So I then bought £20 worth of stocking fillers from Rex London.

I may have added a couple of bits to my tesco order to put in the 'Save for Christmas' box (Jar of mincemeat and 2 boxes of toffifee)

I think I'll go and read my Christmas chronicles book now.

To be honest I've actually watched a few Xmas films that were recorded December just this week. I honestly quite enjoyed them.

In regards to prepping - no. I put money aside every month so that's happening in the background but i'm not even thinking about buying anything yet.

I'm actually looking forward to the nicer warmer weather. Normally I sort of wish my life away because I like the colder darker nights around Xmas. It makes the house feel so cosy with festive smelling candles and fairy lights that I have up from early October in the pre-run up to the full decorations going up.

I'm starting to do amazon wish lists now to cheer myself up. My son will be 7 and bump will be about 3months by then. I tend to buy early and spread costs anyway cos of way finances are. It's fun for me x

I started end of last year
Im not buying until lockdown is over but i am looking at things to get,helps take my mind off whats going on in the world.
Im a massive christmas fan so i enjoy anything to do with it.

Yes I’ve been thinking if we end up with limited funds or are on lockdown and can’t get Christmas bits I have started making lists for stockings for kids. I ordered some mulled wine with my shopping to put away. Usually we get a few pocket money type gifts for Easter but I’ve put away what we’d bought in case we need them for birthday or Christmas instead.

I made a start after Christmas so have a few bits but having been using the time to add to amazon wish lists for ordering after the lockdown ceases. I always try and be done for everyone by the end of the summer hols so that I only have to concentrate on the food and presents for the household after.

I love Christmas and have been buying stuff since January. I'm pretty much finished Santy for my two kids, will put a bit of money aside incase they ask for something in particular. I have a good few to buy for and lots of birthdays leading up to Christmas that with everything going on at the moment I find making my list's and ideas of what to get are helping me to take my mind off things.

I love CHristmas too (and Easter ) . This year Easter will be very low key .
Partly because my DC are adults and because we have two new(ish) cats who will destroy any attempt I make at decoration.
At Christmas Female Cat attacked our tree ( fake , only lights, no baubles) it was up less than 4 days . She would attack an Easter Tree . She likes flinging things off the table onto the floor .

I do like the planning of the Christmas Dinner and take comfort in the knowing exactly what I'm going to cook. (No new fangled dishes here)

I miss the Christmases of years ago when my DC were little , it was hard work keeping everything secret and trying to hide their toys

We do a money tin to open in late November (we divvy up between us .)
I haven't used much physical money this year (or even my cards the past few weeks) but I might try one of those accounts that 'skims' off the change to the nearest £ and it goes into a saving account .

My main lists though will be
"Things Not To Bother With This Year As No-One Actually Ate Them"
Christmas Cake will be Number 1
Goes to write lists ...

Fuck Christmas. Sorry OP, but I'm not a Christmas lover anyway, and it's the last thing on my mind.

I love Christmas. Have some bits already and keeping my eye out for more. Might look at those GOT whiskies and will definitely look at the book people so thanks for those. 🍷

Don't think the book people are taking orders anymore. I'm sure I got an email last week? They were in financial difficulties before the lockdown

@missmouse101 Did that make you feel any better?

It does seem early but who cares 🎄

I'm always on the countdown to Christmas threads

In normal circumstances I pick up stuff for people throughout the year (never too early for a bargain). This year is definitely different!Nothing purchased yet and finances are incredibly tight.

I will still make my lists though and work it all out in my head. It helps my anxiety knowing that I've got something under control.

I was chatting to my ndn a few days ago (over the wall) and we were saying how this Christmas is likely to be very scaled back.

It’s a good idea, but my kids always change their minds at the last minute about what they want. I’m trying to save a little money every month though.

@torthecatlady I agree that this year will be very scaled back.

I have added to my Spode christmas tree collection. The website has a sale so got 4 wine glasses and two trays and mugs quite cheap.

DS will be 3.5 this Christmas and I am told this will be the first one he truly 'gets' so really looking forward to it, even if it is massively scaled back this year.

I’m excited about Christmas already!

No, but I’m doing some Christmas knitting, and hoping to goodness I’ll be able to give it to the Gdcs in person by then.

Bought some bits to put aside for my son already (oct bday and xmas). Baby is due late September so want to try and get organised before then. I ordered him a sonic cuddly toy, 2 comics and a wallet.

Just found this thread, but it seems the book people have closed down? Anyone know of similar sites?

@doodlejump1980 I've had some good bargains from www.agreatread.com

I've found a site called Lowplex (www.lowplex.com) which appears to be very similar to TBP. I've not used it, but it's the same type of stock.

If you love good quality tights then check out the Snags website. They are trying to stay in business and don’t qualify for any government assistance.

I have sort of started, in a very vague sense. I haven't had time for crafting the past few years, but have done some recently. So I started by making lots of masks (for me (asthmatic), DH and DD, and my parents). But I then got back to my cross-stitch and actually finished one small one - I still need to do the backing and sew ends on it, but it will be a nice bookmark for 1 stocking filler. And I got halfway through a 2nd one - my plan is to do a load of the Xst parts, and then do all the backing and ends at once.

I may also actually make the PJs I had planned for DD this year - she's now 14, the pattern goes to age 12 and I bought it (and the fabric) when she was much younger than that!! So it might end up being a pair of candy cane flannel bottoms, and a plain (bought) tshirt top.

But I am not planning Christmas itself yet, even though I normally have ideas and thoughts year round - there is too much uncertainty, and the only thing I would potentially want to do is book a cottage "down home" between DPs and DMIL as I think we will need to travel this year (and a cottage is essential at Christmas to get some relief from the overwhelming-ness of both houses and the "but you spent far too much time in the other house so now I need you for 24 hours solid...." type of shenanigans.....)