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.

The usual items we have for Christmas presents in my house - Lego sets, books, Nintendo games etc haven't even been released yet. So no, I haven't been buying for Christmas yet. It's not even May. Surely you wouldn't just be buying random 'they might like this' stuff rather than a gift the person actually wants.

Sorry 'would' be buying random. Not wouldn't.

I haven't bought anything, but we have done some crafts with things we have in and never got around to using. My boys have also decided to use some of their time to learn Christmas Carol duets on the piano.

My house currently smells like cinnamon spice soaps and I've got rocking around the Christmas tree stuck in my head!

I've not bought anything yet, but I am focusing on Christmas to help me get through all of this. So I have been making lists!

I'll only be buying for:

My young sisters x2
My aunt
Male friend + his daughter
Other male friend

I don't buy for my parents and have agreed to not swapping presents with my brother.

I almost did - Oliver Bonas had some excellent bargains but by the time I got round to doing it there wasn't much left. Definitely will do so as and when I see things from now on though to be honest better to do it slowly and gradually as I see stuff rather than having to find stuff nearer the time is better for my MH ..plus also not forgetting we might be half way through a second bout then!

So far: (trying to by-pass the constant Covid 19 news , I work in NHS face-to-face and it is constantly in the forefront of everyone's mind)

DH and I have no holidays booked now (cancelled June cruise) . Booked a 2 Day trip to a Christmas Market in December (UK)

My DS will be 21 in December , he's after an Electric Guitar

I have found a Christmas magazine under my bed

I am aiming to perfect Chocolate Chip Muffins which might be on the menu for one day over the Festive Period .

I haven’t started buying yet but am starting to think about plans and will start buying within the next couple of months. I always start early to spread the cost anyway but it is nice to have something to look forward to.

I've bought some bits, such as a Lego set, books and an Imaginext Toy Story toy.

I'm saving money onto a Sainsbury’s gift card each month, so will wait until their toy sale now, or until the kids tell me what they want. Or until Nectar double up as I have over £100 in points and am due another £140 from two life insurance policies before then too.

If I see bits for other family members I'll get them as I see them though.

Me me me, I love christmas and it never works saving so I always spread it out over the year I normally start in June but I started this week

I've got the boys some lego sets which were reduced on Amazon.

I now just need to decide on my hiding place! My boys are into every cupboard
Where is yours?

I hide stuff in boxes that are kept permanently on top of our wardrobes. They're sometimes empty, but as they're always there, the kids know no different. They're still too young to look up there really (5 and 6). No doubt that will change soon enough!

I have got quite a lot of bits and pieces already so yesterday i ordered christmas wrapping paper . Might as well use the time productively I say.

Me! I'm using the extra spare time to get really organised for once this year. I'll probably lose everything or forget what I bought and buy it again 😂

I'll probably lose everything or forget what I bought and buy it again

When you buy and hide something take a photo on your phone .

I had some Christmas wrap things ( a roll of paper , some really nice boxes and some money wallet cards) I took a photo of them all so that I don't go buying loads in November

I've cheered myself up Christmas Shopping this week for DS who will be 20 months by Christmas. Gone for Happyland Train Set, Playmobil Vehicles and Safari Sets, Little People Toy Story Figures, Few Books, Thomas Trains, Jigsaws and a Tool Box. That's the majority done for him now apart from Buzz, Woody and Clothes/PJs etc.

Ds12 is going to be expensive so thought Id do little ones presents first.

I don't think I have paid full price for anything so feel it was worth it. I've even made a list so I know what's what. I normally hide and lose things.

I've just started getting a few bits. I need to take my mind of a few things at the moment so am trying to cheer myself up planning Christmas. I have 5 boys but am just really struggling to know what to get them.

@flapjackfairy where did you order your wrapping paper from please?

DH bought a pass the burrito game for DS2, I bought some black wool with glitter to knit DD a scarf. I used to love knitting and was pretty ood, I could do cable and fair isle, now rib is as complicated as it gets.

We bought DDs main present the other day and have been picking up bits and pieces as we see them on offer.

I'm aiming to have all the shopping done by end of August if possible, for a few reasons:

• right now, even though I've had to take a pay cut, I have been able to save more because of being at home so using that to fund Xmas
• I have bog all idea what the country/economy/retail/lockdown situation will be like in December so thought it best to prep where possible
• there are loads of sales so we've been able to get what we want cheaper than usual.
• Sep-Dec I want to be focusing on stocking/prepping for Brexit, given that shit show is still on track for January according to the govt

So I'm fairly satisfied with the stocking fillers I've bought.
I'm going to hang on until later in the year to get their present from Santa. I'm going to gently guide them into asking for laptops this year, So will keep my eye out for bargains.

So those and the stockings come from Santa and we give them four small gifts each, Following the something you want, Something you need, Something to wear and something to read idea.

The 'something you read' will be covered by the book people order.

Any bargainous websites you've come across for the rest?
I'd like to get them by the end of next month.

DD will be 11 and DS will be 9.

I've started, in fact I'm more than half way through.

Certain things I know people want as they've dropped none too subtle hints alreadyeg my mum would love some Jo Malone perfumethey are giving away freebies at the moment with full price products so I've bought that now.

Stocking fillers are done plus quite a few small bits for birthdays for my DCs. I've also bought about 8 presents for kids' parties (not that parties are likely to happen now, but my DCs will still want to give their close friends a small gift).

Birthday card drawer is restocked too as I used the keyworker code for 25% off paperchase.

I'm very lucky that MIL will give my DCs a switch this year and we have a big extended family who love to shop, so my 9 yo and 6 yo will have from us:

Board games
Books
Fun stationery
New backpack (hype, smiggle etc)
Pyjamas
Lego set- will wait until closer for those
Craft set each

Something along those lines.

I’ve been buying from small companies that might struggle otherwise. Had some lovely gifts handmade in Orkney - sea glass pictures and gorgeous cushion with Harris tweed... and will continue to look for similar ways to support small businesses especially now.

@Isadora2007 I would love to buy from small companies also.
I find it easier to get gifts for adults and young children from these though, If anyone has any recommendations for small online companies with gifts for older children and teens that would be fantastic.

Also looking for good small companies to order from!

@MovinOnUp that’s a difficult age- teens like cold hard cash in my experience! 😂

I'm glad I just spotted this thread. I havent started buying but have been thinking about it, like PP am saving money at the minute from not paying childcare and fuel to work costs.
Have started putting money away each month towards Christmas but would def start getting a few bargains if I spotted them.