How far have you gotten along?

[Tinypantherinmyheart]

I've done two presents and bought a set of Christmas cards.

We're in October now! By gentle persuasion I found out what two relatives would like for Xmas, I'm not buying tat anymore, I want to get them something they like or need.

So my checklist would be:
20 cards to write
8 presents to buy
Told friends budget of £10 for any presents we get each other. E.g. a friend likes ground coffee so I'll get him a cafetiere and bar of dark chocolate which I know he likes. I want a mini mac lipstick.

I've bought my Xmas present from my family so will just ask for money back

Sound a bit ruthless, don't I. But the older I get the more I want to give something useful rather than random.

Anyway how are you all getting on, progress?

Except for a lot of lockdown Christmas knitting, all I’ve done is make a batch of Delia’s super-special mincemeat.
And ordered a Christmas book (Lucy and Tom At Christmas) for Gdcs.

I'm nearly done.
I just need to wait for the DC to write their letter to Santa so I can get those gifts organised.
All friends and family's gifts are bought and stashed away, These will be wrapped one evening once the tree and decorations are up.
I've got a wicker basket on top of the freezer with bits and bobs put away for Christmas in it, I add a couple of things every week.

I’m nearly done. Actually I haven’t bought anything for DH yet, as he’s impossible, but everything else is on track:

• Large bulk of presents bought for DCs, including stockings, contents for advent calendars and their new Christmas bedding and pyjamas. Will wait for them to write their Santa letters for the main present and DH likes to choose some of the toys after a browse through Amazon
• Presents bought for 2 SILs, Niece and Nephew and Goddaughter. Also for our Nanny, Step-MIL, MIL and both next door neighbours
• Chosen presents for DSis, but waiting for a discount code to come up (fairly regularly) before ordering
• Haven’t yet bought anything for DF or StepMother
• Found a new pack of Christmas cards in a drawer (only sending them to older relatives this year, ideally I’d like to get them written by tomorrow 😆)
• Just received orders with my wrapping paper, sellotape, gifts tags and ribbons

DH is responsible for buying presents for his Dad, brother and my BIL. This usually gets done the weekend before Christmas!!!

I'm realistically half way done.
DD needs a few bits and bobs + stocking
DS1 has a couple of bits needs some more gifts + stocking
DS2 needs everything + stocking
DH 1/3 done
DM done
DSis done
DB needs everything but has an Amazon wish list to go by
In-laws have M&S Christmas gin, just need to add chocolates
DGD main present done. Need a few small presents to go with it + stocking
Friends, bought nothing yet.

I'm pretty organised this year. I normally buy most things in the Black Friday sales, but the delivery companies seemed overwhelmed enough last year when there wasn't a pandemic. I put a few online orders in over the weekend and found some decent discounts, especially with TK Maxx. Saw some nice hand wash and lotion sets so picked a couple up as a practical 'extra' for Mum and MIL.

I have no idea what to buy DP this year and he's in the same boat with me, so we've decided to write each other a suggestions list this year. Now I just have to think what I'd like! I don't think we'll see my DP's brother and our SIL this year, so I'm thinking a Gousto voucher may be appreciated as they're both working from home still and taking care of their toddler. I've bought my nephew a couple of books and a small toy in case we're having to post presents rather than meeting up.

I went a bit overboard buying festive cross stitch patterns during lockdown, so I'm hoping to have a few ornaments finished in time for the tree. I'd also like to stitch a few cards if I can stay motivated enough.

With the weather getting colder, I'm liking having a roast dinner once a week, so I'll keep the chest freezer well stocked with veg and meat in case we end up having to stay home for Christmas Day.

• Asked DD8 for her wanted list, made a list based off that so know exactly what she's getting. Going to try and order the online only things this month. *Picked up some stocking filler type things for DD8. *Made a list of all the food that I can get early- posh crisps, cheese straws, cranberry sauce etc and am just waiting for lidl's Christmas food range to drop so I can get those and put them away *Bought DD8s cards for her school friends (if they're allowed to do it this year) after leaving it too late last year and only having a really poor selection *Started a list for DP

So basically, made a load of lists 😳😂

Bought the marority of gifts for youngest 3 dc (12,14 and 16) Just a couple more to go, know what they want but slightly hoping for a bargain to come up! Few gifts sorted for 18 Yr old dd, and still need to buy for oldest two (20 qnd 22) bit they will mostly get cash!
All stockings done apart from that ldest ds and 3 specific things for each of the youngest dc.
Christmas pj's done for the 4 girls, need to buy for the 2 boys.
All advent calendars done.
Christmas decs/tablecloth/crackers etc done
All cards and wrapping bought.
Non perishable food started, have: shloer, baking stuff, mincemeat, crackers, pringles, bread sticks, twiglets, after eights, quality street, cranberry sauce, 2 bottles of champagne and 1 bottle of baileys.
Christmas cake made.
Aiming to be finished by end of Oct at the latest.

Im mostly done

almost all DC gifts, half of DH but still need to sort parents, siblings and IL so 6 people left to buy for and then just toping up the final few things for DC and DH

DS - done bar his main present and tiny bits for stocking like chocolate/bubble bath
DP - I have his main present. Just need some other bits (no idea what)
DM - I have the beginnings of a coffee hamper, but some more to get
DP's uncle - done
Everyone else - not started

I'm actually doing quite well. I'm usually a December shopper!

Mostly done. About 80% of presents bought, delivered and hidden. Paper and wrapping stuff ready. Wine bought and hidden away so we don't drink it all. Will be buying food at the end of October.

About half way done I think.

I've got the majority of the non-perishable cupboard stuff, and cake ingredients. Just treats and fresh closer to Christmas.

3/4 of the girls presents are bought. I'm going to nip to Primark for pj's and a few other bits with my last wage from one job tomorrow. Then just the more expensive bits to be bought with this month's overtime from me and November's from their dad.

I've bought a lovely scarf for my dad, need something to go with it. No idea for Nanna, will pick up a beer selection for Grandad with a shop at some point.

Then just the girls dad to buy for. Not a clue 🤷‍♀️

Ooh, and I'm busily making some decs, buying others, and making foods that can be frozen.

We have a spreadsheet on our laptop of everyone to buy for and when DH or I buy a present it gets marked off on the spreadsheet so we can both see what is left to buy. Most is done online every year.

I need to sort DH, my parents, my auntie, and my grandad. Also need to acquire some cash for kids in the family/ buy some amazon vouchers.

DS and children of my friends (11 of them) all sorted, as is my best friend, brother, and brother’s step son.

Basically I’m nearly there, but it’s all the tricky people left! DH will be the hardest as we’ve set a £20 limit this year.

Crikey!
Cards are ordered and labels get updated throughout the year (120)
Tree people are lined up - they put them up and put the lights in for me
Presents get bought in December
One mid December order for the stock cupboard and cleaning stuff
Sainsburys on about 23rd
No DC any more though

This year instead of starting really early I have been saving and wanted to do it all online in November, but had a bit of a panic yesterday after reading about likely shortages and postal delays this year so I ordered several things plus stockings for 3 DC. Waiting on Black Friday for 4 Amazon devices. I bought lots of paper in the Paper chase January sale, so I'd say I'm about 1/4 done.

I think a lot of people will be shopping earlier this year in case restrictions are still in place over Christmas and we can’t get to see family.

28 presents bought and sorted into boxes for posting .(5 different destinations)
2 stockings done ( 2 x 11 small presents )
Wrapping paper and tags bought .
Blank cards bought to make . ( I haven’t decided what design this year )
Cake made
3 lots of booze maturing , raspberry gin, blackberry brandy, marmalade gin,
I still need to make tree decorations for 3 grown up children and
Bunting for sunroom where we have Christmas lunch.

@Trumpton 28 presents...?! And these are just for overseas relatives and friends? How do you do your card designs?

@Tinypantherinmyheart
Not all to be posted . Some for here .
And the grown up DDs have a box of little bits as well . Stocking fillers but useful bits .
Cards vary from year to year . I only do 10 or so handmade ones . Some years cross-stitch, painting, stamping ,
When I get a handmade cards I keep them in a special box and bring them out year on year .
The very special ones get popped into a frame ! I have a display of them .

Um I ordered totally unnecessary new Christmas decorations yesterday.

That’s it.

Can’t get motivated this year. No ideas what to get DH or ds. DS started at uni so would prob like cash.

We are moving house next month so am focussed on that.

HERE IS A NICE ARTICLE WITH SOME LOVELY IDEAS

For DH I’ve bought socks and a navy suede jacket. I have high hopes for this jacket as I’ve just seen a picture of Toto Wolff wearing one, alas DH is not very fashionable. That’s it so far.

Have got most of the presents for DD1 & DD2. Just have a few smaller presents on the list for the stocking. Won’t get these until December.

Have bought cards and wrapping paper. Want to write the cards early as I always seem to leave them until the last minute. Same for wrapping, usually do it when kids are in bed on Christmas Eve but aiming to have everything wrapped at least a week before this year.

I’ve bought DP a bottle of whisky and a Taylor’s of Bond Street shaving cream, absolutely no idea what else to get him, I’m lurking around the impossible husband gift thread, hoping for inspiration

I’ve ordered a Liz Earle gift set from Lookfantastic, for his daughter, it’s one of her favourites and I’ve got her a fancy notebook and some sweets

Middle granddaughter is 16, she’s got a selection of sheet face masks, hair mask, shower and bath gels, body lotions and some makeup, all put together as a hamper.

Four more peoples gifts to buy.

I've picked up the kids main gifts and some smaller ones and bought for half of my family.