Told we need to shop early for Christmas due to covid?

[Lovemusic33]

So today the media is telling us “shop early for Christmas” due to the whole country/world likely to be doing their shopping online this year.

I’m not sure I can even think about Christmas right now and how do we know what our kids and family might want in 3 months time?

Is anyone actually going to listen to the advice and do all their shopping now?

I literally buy all year round as money can be tight. I'm half way through and should be finished shopping by November hopefully.

@Lovemusic33

Sadly my kids don’t like surprises, probably because they have ASD, I usually take the youngest to smyths toy store and she chooses 3 or 4 things (usually lego) as she freaks out if she doesn’t know what she’s getting.

I have the same problem with DS (now 15). Surprises do not work at all apart from in his stocking. He needs to know what he is getting but can never make his mind up until the last minute . He also has a birthday in November so I prefer to get that out of the way before dealing with Christmas.

I usually do online shopping for Christmas online in November and get some stuff in December in the shops . I really can't cope with thinking about it until October at the earliest so in the next wek or two I'll start thinking about DS's birthday.

I’m maybe 2/3 through my shopping for the following reasons

• I like to watch prices and pay less if possible
• I do not fancy the stress of either waiting ages outside shops or waiting to see if deliveries will arrive in time
• it’s a happy thing to think about as the nights are drawing in and the world is turning to shit yet again
• I plan to enter December serenely, enjoying as much quality time as possible with family, rather than stressing out about stuff I could easily have sorted bit by bit months before

I'm just waiting for some boots 3 for 2 stuff to come into stock to order online and finish the kids stuff probably again from online smyths etc. Then I'm done. I was hoping to go to b&m at some point to get wrapping stuff and some sacks/gift boxes etc.
I live in Swansea and we are going into local lockdown from sunday. I believe they have to review it after 2 weeks then weekly to see when stuff can be lifted so I suspect its going to be mayhem in places like tesco etc. Next few weeks x

Errmmm well i hadnt even given Christmas a thought 🙈

I always start in September anyway regardless of Covid

@Ilikewinter

Errmmm well i hadnt even given Christmas a thought 🙈

Thank you, now I don’t feel so alone 🤣

I hadn't even given Christmas a thought

I never give it a thought until November, and only then with reluctance!

I've been planning for a couple of weeks or so now, but the only bought things are cozy socks for my girls and PJs for the 3 of them.

I will be starting shopping properly though over the next few weeks, I like to be done with the kids stuff by the end of november. December I then concentrate on wide family members, and food/drink.

I normally aim for beginning of November just because we don't live near our extended family, so need to factor in delivering the presents, although this probably won't be happening this year. When the DC were younger (under 7ish) I found it easy to pick stuff up throughout the year as I knew what they liked and would often buy stuff in the January sales for the following Christmas. Now they're that bit older I find buying early and pre-empting a waste of money as the things they actually want often aren't released until mid-October.

Having said that, I've still picked up some bits for DD when I've been in home bargains - bath bombs, glitter make up, stationary etc that I'll either put in her stocking or use to make a hamper. But in terms of main presents I haven't started yet. Last year I remember the October deals being better than the Black Friday ones and given the current situation I'm not sure if shops will really go for Black Friday this year. If they do, surely they'll be slammed for being irresponsible and encouraging large crowds? I can see it being more online offers this year which suits me as I hate shopping in actual stores!

I do like to get ahead with Christmas shopping but I’m suspicious of companies telling me I “need” to do it

What difference does when you shop make? I will do mine the same as usual (in December) and prob online anyway.

It's just a way to panic people - the earlier you start, unless you're really disciplined, the more you'll spend.

I make a list and shop through December, it's all about the planning for me. If I see something that I know a loved one will love then I buy it.

I think it's a reasonable warning for online shoppers who shop close to Christmas day. I know last year lots of companies were advertising same or next day delivery until Christmas Eve, perhaps they are just worried about staff, Covid safe practices and a huge increased demand of online shopping meaning they wouldn't meet delivery deadlines like they usually do.

Imagine how awful it would be to order presents online and not get them til after Christmas, especially if the presents are for DC.

@garlictwist

What difference does when you shop make? I will do mine the same as usual (in December) and prob online anyway.

Because if I shop in June, July, August, September etc I get the benefit of the summer sales. I can spread the cost. Stuff arrives in plenty of time so no stress about if/whether things will turn up. No worrying about if something has gone out of stock because there's still plenty of time to still get it. Christmas specific things (books, the jolly Christmas postman for example,) are cheaper in September than they are in December but a fair few pounds and you can get second hand much easier. There's time to price compare. I can get it all wrapped and squirreled away.

I do all of mine online. Except the Christmas food shop.

I've already started my Christmas shopping but so far haven't got that much. I'd love to get it all boxed off for next month but my eldest ds (teenager) keeps saying he doesn't know what he wants this year and my youngest is autistic and only likes certain things won't play with your typical style toys etc. It is what it is i suppose but i'm quietly stressing as i don't know what to buy either of them and don't want to leave it until the last minute.