Anyone else made a small start this weekend?

[Pegasusmail]

Just got paid and decided to put away a, few things to ease the cost and pressure. I've two dc. I just buy pyjamas for nieces and nephews.

I bought 6 hot wheel cars. Lots of soft toys (online from H&M home- the stingray and a few big bears and smaller little pocket teddies in store from Tesco)
Manchester United Jersey (its this year's not the new one but its very nice and less than 20 quid)
Pokemon cards and coin (Tesco)
Minecraft t shirt and PlayStation t shirt (tesco)
Got everything fairly reasonably.

Just interested in ideas from others about what's nice for young ish dc (7 and 8)

This thread has inspired me to start. Ordered the Marcus Rashford book for DS1 and would like to get a PS5 as their main present. Have the Amazon oodies in my basket! Thank you.

Yes me!

Well I started in January actually, but the last few days I’ve picked up two more books, pencil cases and stickers which were in the sale at the range. We went to some outlet shops yesterday and from paper chase I bought cards (individual) for £1, gift tags (the nice ones with real ribbon), and some gloves. Then from next I bought someone I work with a make up bag with her initial on reduced to £4 (not my taste but I know she will like it), and some Christmas socks from fat face which were 3 for 2 and already reduced to £3 each.
I also bought a couple of winter skirts one each from White stuff, fat face and next and a dress from next too.

I’ll keep squirrelling away until November when I aim to be done!

I have quite a few bits so far, I started in the January sales and have been buying a few things each payday since June to help spread the cost. I also follow the bargains thread and the little bargain hunter on Facebook so buy if I see any particularly good deals, and then there is the aisle of everything you didn't know you needed in aldi on the weekly foodshop.

I've mostly bought for dd2 so far though as I know DD1 might change her toy interests several times before Christmas so I'm holding out to November so will probably not get as good a bargain for her this year.

Also holding out for a symths discount before getting dd2s main present as it is only sold there. She also has a December birthday

I just ordered 30 of these. I love corny Christmas cards!

I started months ago, Im nearly done for the kids now except for sweets and small stuff, still got to buy for the adults though so thats next.

I find my dds change their mind a lot. They do it with Christmas and Birthdays. Plus lots of stuff won't be released yet. I've put lots of things into my Amazon list. Dds birthday is next week so I'll think about if more after then.

I’ve ordered some cards, had to have schnauzer ones 😊🐶

I haven't bought anything yet but the older the DC get the more I feel I need to forward plan so last year when the older 2 were just turned 5 and 3 was the first year I really prepped and I started planning around now, so I have done the same this year!

I have:

• Rejigged my stocking plan and begun sourcing/planning stuff
• Created a budget
• Made a housework list and schedule of any big things that need to be done, timed clear outs of toys and clothes etc
• Spent time browsing the Xmas board here for ideas and my first purchase of the year will be the Christmas Chronicles book

Oh and yes I agree, I have learned not to buy tree presents until late November at the earliest due to the potential to change minds but I was disappointed to find that after all shopping was done a few things that were not released or advertised well until that time came out!

I'm struggling as kids have got older, will be DS11 and DD16 this year. My niece's, family friends, etc are all this age or older as well. It makes early bargain gifts very tricky I'm finding. 1 year old GNiece sorted ages ago 😂

Not at the weekend, but I did buy my first present today! I've never bought a present this early before!
It was a barbie play set for my 4 year old twins, in most shops for 36€ but i popped into a shop I'd never been in before and it was 15€ so had to get it!

Yep! Got some bargain second hand Christmas jumpers. Next I am looking out for a Christmas plate. I try to get extras like this in the summer, then start buying gifts in September.

I don't start until November. Partly because I have a bunch of birthdays one after the other between late August and the end of October!

Just bought a big tub of Marcona almonds, a big bag of chocolate brazils and a jar of chestnut puree. That's my start - Christamas squirrelling!

Christmas - oh, for an edit button

Ordered the Nintendo switch with Mario kart. I know there might be offers on closer to the time but just wanted to make sure I got it.

Just picked up books for DS for his stocking fillers. Have done lots of planning but this is the first thing I have bought 🎄

@MrsLCSofLichfield

Christmas - oh, for an edit button

Can we get an edit button for xmas... for a fast typing, sleep deprived dyslexic like me it would be wonderful lol.

Yes,been on the Christmas bargain thread and got a few stocking fillers. DS also now has a hot chocolate shaker and a cookery book

I started ages ago with booze minatures for the (adult) DC.

However, our summer has been a fucking shitshow of all sorts of domestic and family disasters and I am now well behind. This thread has reminded to review what I've got and keep my eyes open when next at the shops.

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks getting my ‘to buy’ list together, with what I want for who and finally made a start this week.

Got one grandparent sorted and two children of friends done (magentic sketchboard for kids and a book for grandad). Got whisky in my supermarket shop for another grandparent and two more kids toys for friends kids on order so feeling accomplished this week 🤪

I usually start around now but I'm trying to hold back.

Last year I bought quite a lot. And when 1st December I bought quite a few of the bits on DDs wishlist, and then a week later all the disorganised family members asked me what she wanted and I had to come up with some new stuff as I had bought it all.

So I think I need to be a bit less organised this time and accept that there may be some things on her (my) wishlist which she doesn't get and thats OK. And leave some nice bits for the disorganised relatives!

I have already got DD4s advent calendar though - playmobil one which I got for £9 on the sale last year 😀

Not yet, DDs birthday this month, and we are trying to sell our house. If that happens we’ll be moving around the end of October or beginning of November. It’s making me anxious. I usually start right after the DDs birthday.

I have got a few bits so far, but now its all on hold. Got to move so all available funds need to be saved 😔

I've got plenty of ideas and will be scaling back Christmas. They are older and will understand.