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!

Yes I've started. Well, I started before Christmas in that I over bought (just a few Lego sets) and didn't want to go mad so I held some back for this year. Then as I've spotted bargains for my vehicle mad Ds (4 years old) I've got the playmobil camper van and beetle.

otherwise as I've spotted other little bits for his stocking such as a small build your own car set and a small Lego race car set at a good price I've picked them up.

For kids presents my daughter and son in law sit down with granddaughter (6) nearer the time and write her list to father christmas, she only gets a couple of things from that list. Her main gift they've usually guessed ahead, this year she'll be receiving a bigger micro scooter as she's outgrown her first one. Throughout this year she's been in to art so some of the gifts will be centered around that, with random surprises thrown in. If she was to choose all her own gifts it would be all electronic fur real type toys that would be at the bottom of the toybox after a couple of days, so she does get one or two of her really wants but the rest is chosen, it's worked so far but as she gets older I suspect it will change.

I’m saving money each month in an account, does that count?
I don’t have space to store things all year.

My dc are teens and adult age now so no pressure re Santa boxes and secrets etc and it's so much more relaxed and easier.

We start with online stuff in September after the uniform bill normally and then I probably do two trips to bigger shopping centres for other bits stocking stuff and family and then bam I'm done.

Hoping Xmas dinner out this year but still undecided on that one.

We have never done xmas lists with our kids.
Our kids also never really ask for things.

Even as a kid myself when we where told to circle things in the Argos catalogue we knew it was just for fun, we never got the stuff we circled we always got WAY better stuff that we hadnt even seen before.

Also kids dont change that rapidly:

My 1 year old has no idea whats going on, she'll play with anything.

My 4 year old has liked the same things since he was 1 (paw patrol, anything pirates or monsters, fireman sam, minions, angry birds etc... hes just added a like for Marvel but he still loves the other stuff too it doesnt irradicate the rest its just another option).

My 13 year old has liked the same things since he was 8 (football and minecraft is basically the only two things hes into).

I dont understand the argument that you wont know your kids in 6 months time, nobody changes likes that fickle-y. Yes kids go through phases where this week Minions is the best thing ever and next week Paw Patrol but by a months time it'll be Minions turn again.

I could only imagine how unvaried their gifts would be and bored they would be in a week if I waited until the week of so before xmas and only got what they are into right at that snapshot of moment.

My DD is 4 and likes the same things - dolls, Lego, books. I buy the smaller things I think she'll like and then, more towards Christmas, I'll see if she asks for anything and add that.

I’ve bought SIL’s present and a couple of bits for MIL and niece. SIL lives in South America though so if no one’s going over to visit then we have to post it by September if we want to use economy delivery!

I’ve made the Christmas cake 😁

I was thinking about doing ours in the next couple of weeks, I really think letting them mature makes such a difference 🎄

I haven't started yet but I've got a good list of ideas for things either dds say they would like or find interesting or things I see that I think they will like

E.g. dd6 was interested in a globe in tk maxx yesterday
I think dd3 would like a metal wagon to pull around the garden given her love of forest school

I'm trying not to start to early though as every year on Christmas morning I realise I've brought too much when I see it all with all the family gifts too. I think starting early leads to me buying more

Yes, saving money in an account throughout the year, I bought FIL a jumper in the next winter sale.

I’ve also just bought some bargainous bits from Rex of London for teacher presents. I needed for end of school year so ordered the Christmas stuff at the same time.

Yes. This year I started in March as I saw something perfect for DD1 at half price. Also bought a couple of stocking fillers.

So far I have :
1 thing each for both DDs
2 stocking fillers

No idea yet what else I will buy. I usually buy DDs a Chanel/Dior lipstick or nail polish but I may have to rethink this year, money is too tight right now.

I'm stuck on what to get mine!
DS11 has pretty much everything he needs/wants; could do gaming vouchers for games but seems so dull!
DS6 so far has two science books and a new TV put away that I got in the January sales.

Yes! I do bits throughout the year and often stock up ahead, particularly stocking items and things in the sales. This year through a combination of stuff I already had, and sales shopping, I’ve already got:

Christmas cards, wrap, gift bags
Some little bits of things for DD’s friends
Fizz and bits of things for siblings
One set of presents for niblings
Gift voucher cards for the other set of older niblings (spreading the cost a bit)
A couple of books/small things for my own friends
Stocking fillers for DD
A couple of books/smaller things for DD.

I haven’t yet got:
Anything for my parents. Was thinking maybe a hamper or theatre tickets nearer the time.
Stocking chocolate/food items
Most presents for DD who will be nearly 10. Normally I have a decent idea by now of what she might like, but this year I have no idea!

I’m a bit worried about the cost of living by the time the winter arrives. Feeling a bit comforted that I’ve got some things sorted already, but worrying that it’s going to be really expensive on that last stretch into Christmas this year.

Yup, I started last week by buying the dc some pretty embroidered bags I saw. I've also ordered the advent elf letters I like to get for them while they are reduced.

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

In our house be don't use Christmas lists like an ordering service - while I always get something the dc have asked for I also get surprises and things they have never thought of.

I haven't yet but my dd(7) has written her list already (and stuck it to the fridge)!! 🤣 blue desk and chair, white sitting Teddy, and a few other bits and pieces.

I've got a bag for life filled and hidden for each child, each with a sweatshirt, dressing gown, pyjamas, slippers and a blanket.

I've started an Amazon list and will try and buy one thing for each of them from now until October.
I'll get their big presents in November.

Yes I've done loads but I buy for a large family and they're quite generic gifts tbh. My boys are 2 and 4 but I have another due in September (girl) and with the living crisis + mat leave I wanted it all out of the way so I don't stress when baby is here. Everything I have purchased has been 50-75% off. My boys are quite predictable at their ages though so Lego, Duplo cars, superheros...and tbh they don't really know what's out there yet to start choosing specifics. I can also add to their wish list for family to buy if I feel like they're missing out on something nearer the time depending on cost. Their birthdays are October and Jan so they are also sorted 🙈 might be overkill (and my wardrobe is heaving) but it brings me some comfort...

👋 I've started!

Not yet. I usually look after DS's birthday in July.
Grab the bargains and pack them away!

I got my DS's hot wheels garage with a dinosaur thing on last year in September/October as he wanted it and read it'll be a 'hot buy' glad I did because it was sold out everywhere by November.

My children are quite predictable
Barbie, lol dolls, roblox, switch games, crafts.
I buy smaller things that I know they will like (have seen it in shops, on the telly)
Then they make a list October time and I get the rest of their stuff from that

This was July last year so I definitely feel quite behind

Yes I've made a start. My kids birthdays are sept/Oct so I tend to get an idea about now what they like/want and then figure out if it'll be a birthday or Xmas present. I have a few bits put aside from sales but I haven't got mad yet, and I have the gift list app to store ideas. They're pretty easy to buy for cos my daughter is coming up to 2, my son is coming up to 9 and is very much into gaming, sports/activity stuff, games so I'm pretty confident with buying stuff them. Nearer xmas I ask my son what 3 things wants superficially so there's still room for new ideas or specific wants :)

Not this year, I’ve usually got a good 80% done by this time but we have a big move coming up so clearing out and trying to reduce our belonging as the moving costs have drastically increased. It just means I have to hold myself back until August.

it’s not stopped my DCs posting their Santa letters in May or us planning our themed Xmas trees, we put lots of trees up.

I absolutely love Christmas and all my DCs still believe, though I think it might be the last year for my oldest 😭

I do 'save the change' with my bank account so I have some money set aside for Christmas, but my dc have no idea what they want yet so I couldn't start buying. Kids are 25, 22, 21 and 14 and the older ones have more money and stuff than I do, so I find it really hard to buy presents.
Starting to get a bit excited now I've seen a Christmas thread though!