How are you planning to buy gifts this year?

[Cherryrainbow]

Do you have a budget in mind? Do you focus on quantity instead of budget? Are you going minimal or splurging? Buying throughout the year or later on? How are you thinking of doing it? Just curious :)

I've got my cards and wrapping g paper sorted all ready for the most part from sales from this year. I've also got a few gifts,
Mostly for youngest dc done. He's will still be very young at Xmas so nothing major.

I will buy as I see throughout the year but probably the bulk closer to Xmas, hoping for the most part to be done fairly early though to enjoy the build up and do more Xmas experiences, missed this last year.

Oh bugger.

I knew there was something I forgot.

Thanks for the reminder, OP. It's only 10 months to go!

@SushiGo

I start buying gifts in the summer. I buy a set number each - although it's not always the same each year, I do think it works better than having a budget per child because little ones toys are often much cheaper, and loads of items to bring the cost up is overwhelming for them.

I put away money each month as well, which is to cover the extra food and day trips in December.

You do get some excellent sales mid summer don't you! :)

Mine will be 16 and 10, thankfully both are over the "stuff" phase so it will be less all round.

Currently I'm thinking main gifts will be a voucher for local music store towards a bass guitar for eldest and a cheap smartphone for youngest.

But I won't buy anything until at least October as they change fast!

I've set up a small direct debit into a Christmas savings account at the credit union.

It's only £11 a week right now but anything is a help!

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Oh bugger.

I knew there was something I forgot.

Thanks for the reminder, OP. It's only 10 months to go!

It is in the Christmas topic.

@InvincibleInvisibility

We're moving overseas this summer so I have massively decluttered. No way do I want to buy a lot for Christmas (especially as we ll be flying home for Christmas so have suitcase issues)

I now have a dilemma. My 2 will be 11 and 8. I don't want to buy pointless toys/things that won't be used. But they are too young to just have experience presents. I want them to be able to open things. Also, to soften the move (7000 km to a small island where they know no one) we ll be equipping them with fun stuff like trampoline, table tennis table, snorkeling kit etc. When we arrive in August....

If anyone has any brilliant ideas I'm all ears! Our Christmases are already really low key. My parents ask for a meal out and buy us theatre tickets. MIL wants nothing. DH and I give each other 1 or 2 presents each max. Just seems so sad if the boys have nothing to open.

You could buy some nice things for their rooms for Christmas. I bought personalised minecraft stuff for my son's room. Also they will probably like gadgets at that age.

I’m trying to concentrate on saving this year. As the dc get older it’s harder to predict (or gaslight them into believing) what they want.
I’ve also reduced my list a lot over the years so there aren’t as many to buy for as before.

I will have a look in the sales over the next while for bits and bobs but mostly I’m trying to save. It’s not nearly as much fun as bargain hunting!

My DD will be 7 at Christmas I'm finished her for Christmas she's very easy to buy for

I can't fathom this. What if she has a new interest, starts a new club, eyes up something her friends have?

CrackerGal

The Twitch :
The unwelcome Christmas visitor that shows their wicked little face when you think you have everything sorted .
You have the lists, buy the presents , wrap them.
Aah but one pile looks smaller and just a bit meaner (even though you know the value is equal or appropriate)
So you buy something to bulk it out . Oh but now it looks like you're favouring that one .
You're out shopping "Oh , last minute bargain, they'd love that...."
And on it goes .
If The Twitch gets you and you cannot resist , then there's the option to put something away for a birthday ?

My DS (22) likes money , he likes to save (very admireable) We used to give him cash in a gift box . Now with the loss of banks, we do a bank transfer and a card that says "Look in your account"
I am always tempted to Twitch there .
He has his years worth of lounge wear/pyjamas, socks and underwear ( I buy branded from TKMaxx and some from Next) .
So I put in some skincare and showergel to bulk it out

It was easier when they were little , they got the stockings ( for when they woke at 5am ) the Big Box Present (bought in the October Sainsabury sale ) and some smaller ones .
Teens and 20s are much more difficult !

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

CrackerGal

The Twitch :
The unwelcome Christmas visitor that shows their wicked little face when you think you have everything sorted .
You have the lists, buy the presents , wrap them.
Aah but one pile looks smaller and just a bit meaner (even though you know the value is equal or appropriate)
So you buy something to bulk it out . Oh but now it looks like you're favouring that one .
You're out shopping "Oh , last minute bargain, they'd love that...."
And on it goes .
If The Twitch gets you and you cannot resist , then there's the option to put something away for a birthday ?

My DS (22) likes money , he likes to save (very admireable) We used to give him cash in a gift box . Now with the loss of banks, we do a bank transfer and a card that says "Look in your account"
I am always tempted to Twitch there .
He has his years worth of lounge wear/pyjamas, socks and underwear ( I buy branded from TKMaxx and some from Next) .
So I put in some skincare and showergel to bulk it out

It was easier when they were little , they got the stockings ( for when they woke at 5am ) the Big Box Present (bought in the October Sainsabury sale ) and some smaller ones .
Teens and 20s are much more difficult !

Ah I get it! I've never heard of that before its a great way of describing it & so true 😂 its happened to me often too 🙈
Two of mine are teens too I know what you mean, one is harder to buy for.

@Chatwin

My DD will be 7 at Christmas I'm finished her for Christmas she's very easy to buy for

I can't fathom this. What if she has a new interest, starts a new club, eyes up something her friends have?

I suppose it depends how well people know their kids, and whar age the kid is. If they've been into dinosaurs for years chances are they'll like something dinosaur, if they're into arts and crafts thats safe too. Most people tend to buy a variety of presents rather than do 10 items on one theme so to speak. You can always buy bits nearer the time to cater for newer trends or interests. My sons into gaming so whilst I know there's some bits I could buy in the year merch wise, I know I'd buy him a game nearer the time as he will tell me what game he wants. My daughter is easier to buy for cos she will be 2 and a bit this xmas but I know she's drawn to colouring and also role play toys like dolls and play food. I dont have to worry about trends for her age.

I have started my savings account up, and save £55 per month into that, which is a general birthday / Christmas fund. I had saved onto supermarket gift cards for two years, but then you can only spend there. This year I'm using a savings account which isn't with my current account bank, so it's slightly more work to access the funds in it, meaning I'm less likely to dip into it. I also just buy bits all year round from my monthly budget, as I see them.

My DS is obsessed with Minecraft Lego, and has a massive list of sets he wants. I know I'm on safe ground with those, if they come up at a good price! Especially if they're retired ones which you have to get when you spot them (he's happy with second hand retired sets, as he knows it's usually his only way of getting them).

I'm also saving my Nectar points, as I do every year. I spend some all year round on things like ingredients for mincemeat and booze on offer (like the 25% off 6+ bottles of wine) and then last year (due to no Double Up) I spent some on eBay and Argos on presents too. I currently have about £220 in those. I also buy the extra food for actual Christmas with these.

The 'But it's [insert month]' people do make me give a wry smile and roll my eyes. Even if you find this thread from Active Threads, it tells you the topic it's in above the thread title. And, believe it or not, planning / budgeting for Christmas all year, doesn't mean you're wishing your life away, or failing to enjoy everything else during the year. For instance, I'm really happy about spring coming, and planning when to sow my seeds for my allotment right now...at the same time as saving for Christmas. I know, mind blown, eh?! 🙄 🤯

I have bought at least half of my presents for my DDs already . It saves money and stress l find and l enjoy it

Good call for stuff for their rooms, thanks.

Other problem is we will be coming back from overseas in 3-4 years so aren't settling in forever... oh well, i ll just wing lit probably

@InvincibleInvisibility

Good call for stuff for their rooms, thanks.

Other problem is we will be coming back from overseas in 3-4 years so aren't settling in forever... oh well, i ll just wing lit probably

They will probably have moved on by that stage and like different stuff!

Buying through the year, the small stuff at least, such as the stocking fillers etc will put money aside for the what's on santa's list. Will buy less than I did last year, I went a little overboard.

@duvetdayforeveryone oh pack it in.

What does everyone think about Christmas saving schemes? I'm wondering if it's worth putting some money aside in Tesco Christmas savings scheme? They usually have good toys there.

@TeaAndSympathy2022

What does everyone think about Christmas saving schemes? I'm wondering if it's worth putting some money aside in Tesco Christmas savings scheme? They usually have good toys there.

Awful! If they go bust you lose all your money. Put it in a bank.

You're probably safer with Tesco than some companies, it has to be said. But you're then limited to only buying in Tesco, so if you see a bargain elsewhere, you can't get it with your saved money. Bearing in mind I've made this mistake for the last 2 years, I'm the voice of experience!

Stick it in a bank savings account.

Awful! If they go bust you lose all your money. Put it in a bank

YY
Bank , set up a DD to siphon some off into a seperate account

I used to save my £2 coins in a money tin , the ones you open with a can opener . Then take to the bank that doesn't charge you 8% to cash it in . The supermarket Coinmasrers charge a heft % .
NatWest and Metro Bank (though the machines break down a fair bit) Not sure if you need an account .
But the last couple of years very little change as using cards .

Sainsbury Nectar and Tesco Clubcard especially if you get the extra rewards .

I did think of buying some gift vouchers as "spare" gifts then if not needed , spend them myself (keep an eye on the expiry date though ).

No idea yet but I've learnt that buying throughout the year isn't working right for me . The only thing I do that early is maybe saving the songs I could use for future smartshow 3d video cards or looking for stuff like led lights as we will need new ones but I tend to go overboard with presents and forget the stuff I've already bought so no presents shopping till maybe late September.

Buying spread out over a year.

Going for a completely different approach to normal this year and being very minimal and only shopping in November/December.

Usually I'm started around now picking up little bits but we just don't have the space to store it this year and I do find I'm usually buying crap I wouldn't closer to Christmas.