So.. anyone started yet?!

[HardRockOwl]

And before anyone has a pop at me - I've posted in the Christmas section!

So, anyone started yet? I go all out at Christmas and my kids will be 24 and 16. They have rather expensive tastes and I like to treat them so I start quite early!

Anyone else admit they've started?

I've only gone in very gently ... one stocking filler for my eldest, it's a high end make up palette that I got for a steal!

I'm quite behind on what I usually get by now, but last year I had it all sorted by November but December felt a bit less Christmassy because of it. I also spotted lots of things I would have bought as gifts if I hadn't spent my budget already! I have a few bits now but mainly saving up for it atm.

I have started on santa sack and stocking but those are just small token items.

I have made lists of the rest but barring 1 fuggler I bought for my DS (because I saw it and he would love it) I havent started the main shopping yet.

I worry about leaving it too late but I also have no where to store bigger things at the moment.

OP!

wait for the July sales at least 😁

Too early!! I start thinking about it in September.

I started in January 😂! We save a set amount each month from Jan to Dec. And I buy the kids little stocking fillers when I go to new places or something grabs my attention. I’ve already finished buying for the wider family & friends we buy for! I try to leave some money for Nov/dec time for the kids for any stocking filler related to new interests they’ve just started and the kids are allowed to specify a couple of gifts they specifically want in their letter to Santa, which goes up the chimney on the 1 Dec. Although last year they sent them to Santa early as there were postal issues and I said the elves were worried about getting hold of supplies for Santa. I love Xmas. During u childhood, mental health issues in one of my parents meant Xmas was often a difficult time and I love making happier memories now. We have a relaxed Xmas day where the kids can just play with their toys etc. I worried it wasn’t enough “memory making” for the kids and suggested we do something different this year and they were agast at the idea!

Yes! I made a start on the Xmas Eve boxes a couple months ago. Little bits like face masks, Xmas tattoos, bath bombs. Also been buying gift sets when they are rtc at work

I usually just start saving money at the beginning of the year so I have a good amount come Christmas . We are half way through the year now and it's building nicely . Will order a turkey this year to get October price rather than buy in December .

Yes bought a book for the little one, saw it on hot deals so thought I'd put it away for Christmas, prob forget about it mind!

Yes.
My husband and I love visiting lovely gardens .
Invariably they seem to have delicious gift shops.

I may have bought fancy, locally made soaps and pretty notebooks as well as locally made glassware. That might sound grand but this pretty blue bud vase was less than a fiver but looks amazing.

I love planning for Christmas but I usually start in July.

Am amazed I have a couple of bits already!

I would if I knew what to get. 14 year old boy and 11 year old girl. I could probably do the girls sticking with bits and bobs but no ideas for the boy.

190 days till Christmas! And the Christmas forum is a happy safe place. I've started as usual in the boxing day sales, the usual like nightwear/loungwear, Christmas jumper and outfit for dg in next sale, practical stuff. And I bought dg a little pre lit Christmas tree for her room in argos sale, but I haven't bought anything for months other than a bargain elephant wet brush plush (home bargains £1.99 should be £10) and a sterling silver unicorn necklace (£7.50 argos sale) both for dg stocking. I've just had a few big june birthdays to get through and I'll probably start again Amazon prime day (12-13th july). I'm not going crazy this year but I do know that the cost of living will be tough for som family members so my gifts will be along the lines of keeping them warm (oodies, heated throws etc), keeping them fed (supermarket gift cards etc) and a couple of luxuries (cinema and restaurant gift cards and a special gift depending on the recipient) I've only got 5 adult family members and 1 dg to buy for. My mind is also turning to booking events for the season too.

Nope. I have no idea which children I will have living with me, I have an idea of what to buy the biggest small person if he hasn't found an adoptive family but the smallest small person moves to her forever home soon. My birth children are adults so we usually just do token gifts for each other.

Not yet my kids are 5 and 2 so tastes and interests change quite regularly and I could buy something now that they wouldn't be that keen on by Christmas.
I do have a cupboard full of various things like sticker books, craft kits etc. That I use as birthday presents for their friends. Some of them might end up as stocking fillers for my own kids depending what they're into nearer the time.

I have one present so far for my daughter that was meant to be for her birthday but areived late and she already had enough! We do want/wear/read/need here, i try to leave want until december to make sure it is something they have asked for but get everything else throughout the year.

Yes I've got a lot of presents bought including main one for DH. I buy through the year when I see stuff they'll like or if I know what I'm going to buy, I buy them when a good price.
I do it because many years ago I had a horrible day Xmas shopping and vowed not to put myself through that again. That was before online shopping though.

Yep,I've starting making ceramic decorations already. I like to get ahead of the game 😊

I have a couple of big things for my 2 year old (will be 3 at Christmas) that I got last year but decided to wait a bit longer before giving them to him (wooden train set and ride on ambulance). So he will get those either for his birthday in October or for christmas. I also got an absolute bargain on the playmobil 123 zoo the other day (£13!!!).

We're on holiday at the moment and I bought my baby DD a little wooden jigsaw that should be about right for her by Christmas. And I've started thinking of other things I can get her that will be mostly practical but will show her older brother that she gets presents too!

Yes ordered first two stocking fillers today!

Ooh plenty of us then!

Ive always made a big deal of Christmas and as my kids are older, it's easier for me to know they'll like, at least for stocking fillers or medium sized gifts.

And it's no hassle really is it? As a pp says, it's getting ahead of the game which is even more important this year with the cost of living for so many

It's easy for me to have a couple of large boxes tucked away in a spare bedroom and I just pop the bits and pieces that I come across in there.

Yes I like buying things as I see them throughout the year for family and friends but I hold back for the kids until at least September with exception of small stocking fillers.

Keep an eye on the bargain prequel thread throughout the year then from September (I think!) there's a bargain thread running to Christmas. It's so helpful!

Yes I buy things in the sales so slowly been filling up my gift box. Yesterday I bought my niece an orchards toys puzzle reduced from £10 to £4 and some Smiggle bits on sale for ds1 stocking.

Yes I've started, I've got a few things for

Bloody Hell, posted too soon! Yes I've got a few things, mostly sales items and winter clothing. I aim to be set by mid October and can then focus on Christmas food/drink.

I'm intrigued to know how you know what your kids want at this stage? Have they already written their Christmas lists?