Strategy for getting xmas shopping done?!

[Piccalino3]

Over the years I've tried various strategies for getting the shopping done early, I'm not a last minute shopper but it always goes on later than I'd like. I've long given up the notion that I'm going to enjoy wrapping and card writing by the twinkly lights of the tree, because if I leave it that late I end up pulling nights till 2am in December desperate to go to bed, surrounded by tape, scissors lost under the bits of paper and then too grumpy to enjoy a lot of the festivities I look forward to.

With this thought in mind I would LOVE to have everyone's presents (apart from my kids and maybe DH) bought and wrapped by Dec 1st. This is the goal. I have little time as will be starting a new job in Sept and my kids are young.

I have 45 people to buy for so that's a lot of presents, I will look who I can cut out again but it'll probably only be a few. This year I thought if I make a list and start by choosing one present a day I could be done end of Oct, leaving Nov for wrapping, sending international packages and card writing, then Dec to largely do things I actually want to do.

No idea if this is actually achievable. Does anyone else have any methods that work for getting things done early? I find it hard to get inspiration early and quite like to see the things and catalogues released closer to Christmas but this really doesn't work for my stress levels. I'm determined it's going to be different this year and moving forwards!

Depends on ages and what they all want. I usually spend a few weeks adding all sorts to my Amazon basket like Lego, toys, books, puzzles etc, then just do a massive order and then just set aside a Saturday to wrap it all when it’s been delivered.
I also have a checklist on my phone of what to buy everyone and just tick it off once they are ordered which keeps me organised and unstressed

What are the useful apps for this? I'd love something that tracked ideas, orders, arrived packages and wrapping.

I think part of the problem is I don't know what many of the people on my list want so I really have to route around to find something that they'd like. It's not a case of asking either because they wouldn't say or don't know themselves so it feels like a lot of effort for most gifts.

I used the manage Christmas app last year but it's kept all the old data and no place to add on another year as far as I can see. Any and all ideas welcome!

45gifts!! 😮
I’d be seeing who I could cut and and who I could just send wine or a voucher to.
I’m in shock 45gifts!

Are any of your 45 in a useful 'group' where you all buy for each other? Eg siblings and partners? We do secret santa for DHs family so everyone buys and receives one gift.

Start now!

A few of those 45 are people I can give a bottle of champagne to so that makes it easy. I might start that in the shopping next week.

It was worse a few years ago and I cut out about 10 people as well as doing secret Santa with my DH family - problem being even then there are 5 of us so I end up shopping for the kids SS present and my own so it only reduced the numbers by a few.

I also have a few Nov birthdays which are not included here but always feel like Christmas shopping.

Might get the list out tonight and see if there's anyone we can ask if they fancy not doing gifts this year (or ever again!)...

This is my top tip. I did it accidentally one year and it worked so well I now do it every year. Book a day off work in December to wrap up all your presents. Force your DP or any one else you can get to have a day off too and get everything wrapped up and hidden. This has saved me wrapping things in a frenzy on Chrismas eve and ruining my own Christmas eve and getting no sleep. Hope this is helpful!

I don’t have a specific Christmas app, I just use the notes one that came on my iPhone. You can add little tick boxes and I write notes in italic. Nothing fancy at all.
What do you buy most years for these people? Is there something you can buy every year like plants, booze, etc? Might make it easier if you just buy the same kind of thing. You could also say buy all under 10s a Lego set and selection box, 10-18yrs a selection box and gift card, and 18+ Something alcoholic and simplify your shopping like that

Lists are my life.

I have a list of people, i spent a few weeks or so thinking about gifts and narrow it down to one or two choices, with a budget, and i buy them in blocks. I still have a couple of people to think of gifts for, but I allocate a lunch break a couple of times a week to research and purchase. Im half way through my list now, with a couple i will have to leave until november due to availability.

Ive got a list of wrapping materials and decorations I want to buy (just bows and replacement lights etc). I will buy in one hit on wilko etc once christmas goes online.

Cards - i write a list. I dont give alot of generic box cards, but my fam are big into ones for specific relatives eg ‘merry xmas sister’. Again, i list and then i pick an evening in mid november, once halloween is over but before the shops get too mad, i go to tesco, buy them all at once, along with my non perishable christmas foods.

I’m a fan of one and done trips, and batching tasks, hence why i research first for everyone, buy, block wrap (with a christmas film or two 😄)

I apply this to birthdays too - i list all birthdays and i buy them in blocks. I’ve got 6 people’s bdays between now and christmas, bought for 4 of them already, cards too.

I've used this app for years and it's really good for keeping me organised. You can set up a list for each person with check boxes to tick off and individual budget tallies.

I put away a set amount each month then start picking up generic stuff that I know that people will use from August/September then wait until November to get the Santa gift as they inevitably change.

With 45 people i'd see about scaling back or setting repeat order gifts e.g. subscriptions, hamper, voucher etc. We have 10 to buy for and that melts my brain...
L

As others have said, gift lists are your friend! I'm just using a word doc this year. I've written everyone I'm buying for with a budget next to their name, and underneath I list gift ideas for them. I highlight things that are being shipped in yellow, items I've received in green and use pink for those I need to buy. Choosing thoughtful gifts can take up a lot of your time, but starting sooner (as you are) should help to ease the pressure

Just on the card front, my discovery last year was order your family Christmas cards online too, Card Factory, Whistlefish, lots of options on different budgets. You can order now, it ticks a job of the list and who knows we might even get them written before Christmas Eve!!!

I start in January and like to be more or less finished by September. September I start the food shopping. I wrap in October and write cards in November then sort the family Christmas games in December. Same every year. I have about 30 to get.

Like a PP, I also write my list on Notes on my phone.
It's great because I have the last 4 years on there so if I scroll down I can check if I've already bought Aunty Ethel a teacosy or whatever.

Also I pick up stuff during the year. The cousins families have all grown up now so instead of buying individual gifts for their kids which I hardly ever saw I now buy a family gift. I've started to theme it a bit so this year each family is getting a nice cookery book and something kitcheny to go with it. I already bought the cookery books in the sale.

I love wrapping the presents and try not to do it until December but usually break and start wrapping in November!

I still manage to leave a few gifts until the last minute though and end up in a flap!

I rarely click on Christmas threads so not sure why I’m here. But I am fascinated that you have 45 people to buy for. Who are they all? Friends. Big famijy?

Thanks everyone, lots to think about!

@JayAlfredPrufrock I have 3 young kids so I think that adds a lot to my 45. Some are their friends, lots are DH family (I do their presents because it's easier than asking what he's got and being stressed nothing yet!) a few my family, I buy for a few of friends too. It just all seems to add up quickly!

Firstly cull that list!

Secondly I pick a category once a week from mid September and blast it. Ie. Parents and PIL. Nieces and nephews. Close friends. Neighbours.

When I see something I like for the kids I pick it up or order it.

I use the Christmas Gift List App to track and have sections for stockings/tree presents/tickets to events/food/home etc.

All kids under 4 - a book from the works £10 for 10 and some sweets (also for DC friends)
All kids age 4-7 Lego city set
All kids age 8-11 tie dye set
All teens just eat voucher or similar

You can get all those wrapped and sorted now.

For immediate family I have made loads of gift bags upcycled from old clothes (or buy little jute bags online). It is so much quicker popping a present in a bag as you buy it. Once all opened gather the bags for another year.

Like you OP I have around 50 presents to buy. It’s a lot and what’s extra annoying is that they aren’t all Christmas presents. There are a ton of sodding November/December/first week of January birthdays in there too - so I have to think of two things someone might like…

I try to do it by dec 1 if I can.

@Ukholidaysaregreat

This is my top tip. I did it accidentally one year and it worked so well I now do it every year. Book a day off work in December to wrap up all your presents. Force your DP or any one else you can get to have a day off too and get everything wrapped up and hidden. This has saved me wrapping things in a frenzy on Chrismas eve and ruining my own Christmas eve and getting no sleep. Hope this is helpful!

I book a shopping day and a wrapping day. Really helps.

My biggest tip is cull the number of presents!!

Oh blimey. I just don't give presents to people once they're 21 (18 if they're poor on thank-you calls).

Agreed though that a bottle of champagne is an excellent gift for any adults you do want to treat.

My other tip is to do physical shopping, old school. In my city there is a really good bookshop near the covered market, and in the covered market is among other shops a really good chocolate shop with loads of novelties, a lovely jewellery shop, a special deli, a handmade soap shop and a leather goods shop. A single concentrated afternoon and I'm pretty much done. Ordering online means it all takes ages (research, planning, reserving, buying, receiving or picking up).

If you really can't reduce the number from 45 people then I would group them by those who need 'personal' presents, and those who are going to be getting the box of chocs/champagne presents.

Go out tomorrow and buy the champagne and chocolate, then cross all those people off.

How many are left then?

Could any of those be grouped into 'kids under 10' for example, in which case go to Argos.com, look up the 2 for £15 or 2 for £30 offers dependant on your budget, and buy all the gifts for those.

Basically get done your quick and easy shops now, then you have time to put some thought into searching for the more personalised gifts.

I would however really really think about your champagne/choc list. If you are just buying each other impersonal gifts out of obligation, do you really need to keep it up?