Starting early in case Covid overwhelms delivery services?

[Akindelle]

I went shopping on the high street today. It was awful! Long queues outside every single shop. It made me wonder how Christmas shopping will work? I won’t be doing my usual slog around a hundred shops because I can’t be bothered spending half the day queuing or wearing a mask for 10hrs. That’s not fun or festive! Today I gave up on the shops because the queues were ridiculous and I went home and ordered what I wanted online.

It made me wonder - if loads of people feel the same, we’ll all be trying to order online. Will delivery services be overwhelmed? In other words, should I do my shopping now? Is anyone else worried about possibly not being able to get presents if you leave it till Oct-Nov?

Yeah we have got DS's main present ..a toy kitchen . Its put away in the garage but means we don't have to worry.

Yes I’m wondering if I should start buying and putting away. An added complication is that I can’t go to visit people with gifts this year because of Covid, I’ll have to post them. So that adds more pressure to delivery services and I need to have gifts wrapped early enough to post.

Ive already started mine, not because of covid though. I always start mine after the kids go back to school (scotland)

I usually start now as kids back at school but have upped my game and plan to be finished by October break instead of the end of November.

I've started. My DC want a tablet and the newest version of the Xbox. I'll get get them in November but I've bought quite a bit of stuff for them know (clothes, board games, stocking stuffers etc) and almost finished my DP and DM. I wont be shopping this year either, not worth the hassle and worry IMO

I have been working on my lists for the past few weeks and when we get paid on Friday I will be ordering almost everything. I've never done it this early before. We normally start to shop for the kids around the start of October before the first of the Birthdays and finish up mid to early December with the last "bits" (by which point I'm usually annoyed and sick of it all). It's a little easier this year as the eldest wants a switch so she's not getting much else. The youngest is pretty easy going but I may just leave a little money left over in case she spots something special. But if this year has taught me anything then it's that the future can be very unpredictable and I will feel less stressed if I know that, come what may, Santa is definitely delivering. Next job is to dig out the stockings so I can test those and I've already started making the Christmas Eve boxes. Who knows, if this works out well we might do it like this in the future! The idea of a December without trailing round the shops in miserable weather does sound lovely.

I always start in the summer. But this year same as PP, I aim to be finished Christmas shopping by October. I haven't Christmas shopped physically for a few years but I have absolutely no intention of doing any this year.

I've mostly finished for DSs November birthday and will concentrate on Christmas ext payday. Christmas Eve box is sorted, just need a few bits for his stocking.

I've been Lurking on the Christmas Bargains thread and have loads of bargain pressies already stashed away. I don't normally start anywhere near this early usually. I can see supply/delivery issues happening and starting early means you have time to bargain hunt online.

All I really need now is my DDs main gift, she wants a fender bass and amp, am looking for bargains but might just have to pay full price as she's very specific about which one she wants.

How far in advance do people risk buying electrical items? I’m getting my dc a switch for Christmas and am thinking of getting it next month but then it has 3 months of sitting in a box....

I’m essentially done. I always aim to be mostly done by September. Usually it’s finished by October but on track this year. Just need to finish off stockings.

I've started already, I like to start early anyway but more so now just in case deliveries get delayed due to covid

I'm much further ahead this year, not really because of covid deliverys/online demand more preparing for an uncertain financial future in our family because of covid job losses. I think Christmas will be something nice to look forward to after a very crappy year and family members going through a hard time. I've just loaded money on a couple of Asda gift cards this year which I will give to family members who have recently lost their jobs so they have money to get a decent Christmas food shop and other household essentials. I'm holding back till october for tablets etc but the money is set aside. I'm also, not like me, looking forward to new year this year in the hope that 2021 is better.

I've got my shopping done for Kiwi family, because it's taking weeks and weeks for anything to get there. Or here.

I'm more worried though, about the effect of a possible No Deal Brexit on food supplies.

I usually start in August anyway but started a month earlier this year and already got the majority of presents. Got a DD to buy for this year although she'll be far too young to know what's going on but already bought her big main gift, a personalised stocking and personalised presents sack. I cannot let the summer sales go by without taking full advantage. Why pay more in a couple of months time. Covid has had a tiny affect on my decision to start a little earlier but wanting to just be organised before the mad rush, reduced income on maternity leave and excellent sale deals are my main drivers.

I pretty much start from January sales tbh with an overall budget in mind for the year for birthdays and xmas. it's mostly habit from being on a low income to spread it out over the year so I dont have a panic of spending a huge amount in one go, plus with ideas of what I want I can keep an eye out for bargains in the year.

Just a heads up on people wanting switches etc. I think we are now at the point where places may get deliveries more regularly. Over lockdown there was hardly any availability. My smyths stores had 5 in last month and they all went within the hour (I snagged one for sons october birthday), they hadn't had any in before that since about march. The guy serving me said people had been coming in everyday asking when they'd be in so they are definitely in demand. With smyths they said I had 30 days to return it but there is a warranty as well. I got my OH to check it was working and packed it back up in the box x

I’ve always been an early Christmas shopper because I can’t handle the crowds. But I completely agree OP about delivery services this year.
I’ve also been buying non perishables ahead. I think anything we can do to lighten the load is a good thing.

I am also planning on being done by October. Got almost all the stocking fillers for 6 dc, a couple of their main gifts, one gift for mum and one for dad and one for dsis, Advent calendars and Christmas pjs done, christmas tablecoth, crackers etc all done. Started non perishable foods - shloer, mincemeat, baking supplies etc all stashed away. really hoping to be done in the next 2 months, fingers crossed.

Started much earlier this year as I am waiting on two post cancer operations that were deferred due to Covid .
This time last year I had had the first operation and thought I was clear . So this year I am definitely getting ahead . Most stocking fillers done and most presents apart from 3 grown up offspring who tell me what they would like .
Wrapping paper bought post Christmas at the beginning of the year ditto cards .
Lists are my friend !

Trumpton I hope you get your operations soon. X

I started yesterday. Bought ds a game for his switch, I’ve ordered him a couple of books too. I need to sit down and write a proper list.

I've nearly finished 🎅

I hate cold and wet weather. Cannot bear the thought of queuing for ages in cold rain. Shopping is no fun anymore with masks and distancing.

Another one who has started early. I usually start looking around now but dont commit to much. I am due my 2nd in Nov so want to be bought and wrapped by then.

Covid is certainly playing into my mind but the main driver is having a newborn and not wanting to stress about getting presents!

DS is nearly finished, few nieces and nephews, sister and mum done. A tiny dent in my never ending list but at least a start.

Switches have been in short supply due to lockdown so I’d definitely start looking around for one now

I do it pretty much all year but will have it all done by October.

I am also planning on being done by October. Got almost all the stocking fillers for 6 dc, a couple of their main gifts, one gift for mum and one for dad and one for dsis, Advent calendars and Christmas pjs done, christmas tablecoth, crackers etc all done. Started non perishable foods - shloer, mincemeat, baking supplies etc all stashed away. really hoping to be done in the next 2 months, fingers crossed.

Bloody hell! Have you thought of running for PM?! I think we'd be doing a whole lot better with you in charge!