A thread for people who have started the present buying who don't don't normally start this early!

[SirSamuelVimes]

I'm feeling unreasonably proud of myself.

I know by this board's standards this isn't early and some people are already done by now - but for me this is exceptionally soon to have anything sorted out! I used to be a Christmas Eve gal - but kids has made that impossible!

I've only made a start - that plan is to buy bits and pieces from now til Nov and then step it up a notch or two.

So far I've bought both dds matching PJs (not Xmas ones, but Harry Potter ones which kind of feel christmassy to me) and I just picked up a reduced Knight Bus soft toy for the eldest one.

Ordering a model train to run around the base of the Christmas tree at the end of the month, and I've got grand plans to make a tree skirt.

Anyone else in the "I've just started" club want to share what they've got sorted so far?

I haven’t got a single thing sorted but encouraged you have and would love to try!

I bought my first present last week. Never bought anything so early before.

A Barbie set for my twins, that was about 15€ off it's usual price.

Yeah I'm trying to pick up reduced bits, it makes it seem more acceptable to be buying Christmas presents in August if I'm getting them at a lower price than I would in December!

It does feel a little bit like I'm wishing time away but I bloody love Christmas.

I'm making lists- never started this early either. I'm a bit worried about buying stuff as it can't be returned if faulty (or doesn't fit etc.) if bought now? Am I worrying irrationally?

Yes I know the feeling - I'm also worried about the whole "what if they've gone off of this" thing too.

I'm going with just getting smaller, low value bits for now, and hope it will be ok!

I normally start mid-September when I get paid but I'm on the lookout and planning on starting in the next few days. I'm just going to get some stocking filler type stuff for my DD who'll be 10 and not any main presents because I'm worried about her not liking the same things between now and Christmas as well. But can't go wrong with sweets/stationary/hair bits so keeping an eye out for those!

Ooh good thread idea! I haven't started yet but will definitely next month.

I'm so upset, now that the uk is no longer in the eu I cant order anything from the normal sites I use due to huge tax import costs to get them to me.
A lot less choice, less bargains and worse presents for my son this year.

I have just started!
I want to spread the cost a bit and shop a bit more ethically this year.
I have bulk bought hand made, pretty patterned, reusable make up remover pads from Etsy which I'm going to give as stocking fillers to a couple of friends and my sister in law.
On payday I'm planning on buying some of my brothers favourite whiskey while it's on offer, and some beer glasses for family from a local craft beer shop.

Yes, Im3starting next week. I don't isually start this early but I'm in college full time from September to mid December and I work weekends so need to get organised early this year.
Going to start with little stocking filler bits for dd (15). Her main presents will probably be clothes so I'll be able to get them online over the next few weeks. I'll try and sort my parents gifts as well.
Younger dds are easy to buy for, they have autism and get overwhelmed quite easily so 3-4 gifts such as jigsaws and some sensory toys I'll order online.

www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/15/toys-could-be-in-short-supply-this-christmas-so-get-buying-now-industry-warns

It’s a year for buying early if you know they want something specific.

I'm usually the sort of person who leaves everything to the very last minute but this year I've been very organised. I'm due baby number 3 on boxing day so thought I better start getting organised early or Christmas won't happen. I've got both my children little bits already, daughter's birthday present (late October) is all sorted as well as son's birthday present (Christmas Eve) all sorted. I just need to remain organised or I'll forget to get everything else done and have a mad panic come December

I don't normally start this early either, but there have been some really summer deals on and I have succumbed!

@user1483387154

I'm so upset, now that the uk is no longer in the eu I cant order anything from the normal sites I use due to huge tax import costs to get them to me. A lot less choice, less bargains and worse presents for my son this year.

Same here, we live abroad and would order bits from the U.K. so it's harder now as it's been made so much more difficult with the import charges etc and lots of companies no longer shipping to the eu from the U.K.!

Got a couple of bits. Mainly adding ideas to my spreadsheet at tge moment though 😁

I used to still be upstairs wrapping as my Gran sipped her second sherry on Christmas morning but, as you say, kids change things!
Bought my first gift in April much to DHs disgust, but I'd rather pay £8 than £12 so 🤷‍♀️
Got some lovely little stocking fillers in the Sass & Belle sale so that box is now my stash box and contains several books for DS so far.
Won't be buying anything major character wise for him until later as he's 2 and fickle, but thinking about one of those little wooden shops to add to his play house. Seeing some decent second hand ones pop up now on FB marketplace so think people are starting their pre Christmas clearouts!
Other than that, been adding ideas to my Christmas list app and doing price comparisons etc so I'm ready to pounce when a good deal appears
Don't recognize myself anymore

I'm so glad so many others start planning in August :)

I'm not an early buyer as such but I am a very early planner and the spreadsheet is coming along nicely.

I'll be working out all the stuff I want to get, stockings, etc (I go pretty big on stockings) and then I'll have to leave a good chunk of the budget for any wish list gifts closer to the time.

Does anyone else get an incredible urge to ask their kids what they want for Christmas now so they can add it to the planning?

Ooh spreadsheets scare me but I do need to learn how to use them for work... Maybe I should practice with a Christmas gift one!

Same here, we live abroad and would order bits from the U.K. so it's harder now as it's been made so much more difficult with the import charges etc and lots of companies no longer shipping to the eu from the U.K.!
Do you have a friend or relative in the UK who you could get this get delivered to? And then they post them on to you. Obviously you would have to pay import fees though.

Does anyone else get an incredible urge to ask their kids what they want for Christmasnowso they can add it to the planning?
Haha yes but my daughter is 4 so will have no idea. Last year she asked for a toothbrush. On the plus side, she won't be upset for not getting what she asked for. Luckily she likes pretty much everything!

I'm so glad so many others start planning in August smile
As soon as the tins of sweets appear in August that’s me in the zone

I used to start buying in October, last year I needed cheering up in lockdown and started in August. This year I started even earlier and was on the prequel threads in July!
It is such a lovely feeling to have all presents wrapped by the end of November and then December is just for enjoying the run up and no mad dashing round the shops. I think half of it is I just love planning for Christmas, it brings me a lot of happiness.

@SirSamuelVimes I highly recommend them! I do a lot of shopping online now I'm more organised and so it's very handy to keep track of deliveries too :)

It will definitely give you practice, it's the only time I use conditional formatting and all that lark

Actually, I have grand plans to have an organised Christmas, so I'm going to hop on your thread.
In my ideal world, absolutely everything would be sorted though not necessarily in place by December 1st.
Historically I am a last minuter too!

@HungryHippo11

Same here, we live abroad and would order bits from the U.K. so it's harder now as it's been made so much more difficult with the import charges etc and lots of companies no longer shipping to the eu from the U.K.! Do you have a friend or relative in the UK who you could get this get delivered to? And then they post them on to you. Obviously you would have to pay import fees though.

Yes - the problem being the import fees and amount of paperwork that comes with it!

Luckily I've booked a flight back for early December to visit my grandfather so can do any last minute shopping - unless things change with covid etc.