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!

We went to a fete on Saturday. While DD was on the bouncy castle at the other end of the field I tried my luck on the toy tombola stall. I won a brand new and unopened Rainbow High doll! So I made sure it was wrapped in 2 carrier bags so I could get it home without DD seeing, and I've put that away for Christmas. Only cost me £1 for the ticket

I have started saving. Other than maybe some extra food I don't think I will be using our current account at all. We are a huge family but we have all agreed that we will each buy one present so DH and I have two presents to buy for yet to be determined Dc or Dinlaw.

Last year the plan was that all DC and spouses/fiance would be with us for Christmas but Covid prevented that. However the ones that actually made it to us are with their other families this year so we have all agreed that everyone should go to their inlaws and DH and I will have Christmas alone for the first time ever in 40 years!

So guest list is non existent, budget is sorted, gift list is the bare minimum and no thought of shopping until November when we know who we are buying for.

It's going to be peaceful and relaxed.

Few more things in the box!

A pair of ugg fluff yeah sliders for my daughter - got them reduced from £80 to just under £30 so seemed like a no brainer. A set of adorable cat toys for her too - she's obsessed with her kittens! They were a fiver. And finally a Simple Human mini bin. So cute and ideal for her to put her cotton wool pads in - was reduced to 6 quid.

Love this thread... Not actually bought that much more in the end, but have really made progress with the lists, so can now start buying the "other" bits that I know i'll be getting them regardless of interests/requests - PJ's, books, stocking fillers etc.

Know I will be getting all 3 DC a lego box of some kind so need to start looking for deals as those are pretty expensive.

Will save the £350 from my mini savings fund til November or so to go towards the wish list presents!

Yesterday I bought Melissa and Doug spy kit (prime day) and a set of 4 small usbourne sticker books for £5 in Aldi.

Over the past few days I've bought a second hand chapter book for DD6 and a Polly pocket school set and Barbie skipper doll with push hair for my second DD who will be 4 in December so may be either for her Xmas or birthday

I’ve started this week - just a few £10 and under items for children - maybe 4 of them. All on the prime day deals - also got a couple for birthdays. Easy win!

I have bought one bargain Lego set for dh for Xmas. Dc are probably growing out of Lego so I haven't bought any for them even though there have been good deals. Ds is difficult. The only thing I can think of is game for Nintendo switch but I have to wait for when it's near Xmas.

I now have 6 gifts. Mostly stocking fillers but it's a start

The spy kit is really good, my 5 year old got one for her birthday. I've also bought 4 packs of the sticker books, thought they would be good stocking fillers or for friends birthdays

Yes i started last month, got my wrapping paper, cards, gift tags, knit things that you put chocolate orange into. Going to get my magnetic gift boxes and dogs toys this month and also keep putting a set amont back each month.

i am getting little bits every month between now and christmas, so it doesnt all hit me at once.

Not started yet but have been putting little bits of money away as and when I can. Still got both DCs birthdays between now and Christmas so need to plan for those too.

We have a Ukrainian family staying with us too so will definitely be buying them gifts - they've had to leave so much behind - they've none of those things that we build up over time - nice toiletries, clothes, mugs, posters, stationery etc. They basically turned up with some second hand clothes they got in Poland and what they wore when they left Ukraine plus a few other bits and bobs in a rucksack. I've also got to decide whether to do their 14 year old boy a stocking - my by then 17 year old DD will definitely get one so I can hardly leave him out. If anyone has any thoughts on what to put in a 14 year old boys stocking please tell me as DS only 9.

Also thinking of placing a cost limit on nephews, nieces etc.

It really depends how you do stocking in your house, my DS will be 14 on new year so pretty much 14 at xmas

As standard they all get:

• chocolate coins


• chocolate orange


• sheet of stickers (personalised to their likes)


• a pack of biscuits (they are cheep and bulk out the stocking)

Then they each get about 4 packs/bags of sweets they like and 4/5 small stocking filler toys.

My teen last year (12 about to turn 13) loved the gooey 'slime' ball that splats when you throw it at the wall.

But it probably varies by teens interest, my DS is quite immature yet not into most toys or crafts or toiletries stuff, he only likes minecraft and football (but doesnt collect things just likes to play/watch) so a PITA to buy for so 'fidget' items have been a go to the last few years but even still he gets bored fast.

We dont personally put clothes/socks/underwear in stockings and toothbrushes, PJs, hot chocolate, body wash etc... goes in our xmas eve box instead.

If you could it might be nice to see if anywhere sells ukrainian treats that you dont get over here or if they have any traditions you can incorparete into xmas day (I believe xmas starts on xmas eve in ukraine).

I would be careful though while its nice to do these things the parents might like to do it themselves (I wouldn't like someone else doing my traditions with my kids especially not if we had just lost our other steady life routines) but if its not one of their traditions then it would be nice to make them one so they can join in - like a cultural exchange.

I bought my first one yesterday. £5 book my dd will love. Supposed to be saving for holiday but I knew I'd never find it again!

Which book?!

I always start in the summer as I like to spread the cost, look out for bargains and have all presents bought and wrapped by the end of November so I can relax in December and just enjoy myself.

We all like reasonably generic presents and don't spend loads in my family which makes it easier. So far I've sorted my DM buying her a cashmere scarf and a book she will (hopefully) like. DF I've picked up a couple of small things so probably just need one more item.

DH I've bought a bottle of aftershave as his main present so he'll be happy with some chocolates/socks/beer etc.

DB and SIL I tend to just buy a nice bottle of wine.

DDs I've picked up a couple of Lego sets on Facebook marketplace and some character PJs plus a couple of little stocking fillers (crayons/stickers) from the Rex London sale. I'm really trying not to go mad this year as they always get so much off family. I'm actually thinking of asking family for donations towards an annual membership to our local zoo but am unsure whether it seems a bit rude asking for money.

The bargain threads on here have already been brilliant, I'm always on the prequel threads from June time keeping an eye out for bargains.

Haven't bought as much as I'd hoped by this point as I've had lots of back and forth with myself on planning, but I have progressed even further with the list

Am trying to cut down, not just because of cost but because my DC have a lot of stuff already and I don't want to buy for the sake of it. Last year I got excited that DD was old enough to write her own Christmas list and bought every item on it there were too many dolls and even though they did look like amazing presents they weren't actually played with that much, which is something I should have foreseen.

Plus I did notice that a lot of really cool big ticket items didn't even seem to appear til mid to late November (I'm thinking of a frozen doll set from Disney Store with multiple dolls and multiple outfits that I didn't see advertised anywhere!) so I am trying to bear that in mind too.

What I'll probably do is narrow my list - am thinking for each child: 1 big asked for item which I will budget for but not buy, 1 hamper style present based on individual interest that I can get bits for now until December, 1 big Lego box as we want to build a collection which I can look out for anytime, then a few smaller (but NOT filler!) presents like books and a nice item for their bedroom. Then there's the stocking. Ugh it is hard to narrow down, you could go on forever!#

At least if I buy the stuff I know I'll be getting them regardless of wish lists like pajamas, stocking fillers, and Lego I can spread the cost better, and muster some cash for whatever the must have item is that year.

I've now bought 9 things, 5 for dd2 and 4 for dd1, though dd2 has a late December birthday so I always start early for her to spread the cost.

I also have a massive list of ideas for dd2 to give various relatives who ask for both Xmas and birthday and a smaller list for dd1. Semi planned what to buy the nephew's too. Adults are a struggle and still so many birthdays between now and Xmas

Have now got 3 small gifts for my smallest, all been posted on hot deals. She will be easily pleased, the older one I will buy later when she has ideas.

I have nearly everyone sorted.

Have three people left to buy for, which I will take care of next week. Only wrapping paper and maybe some decorations left to do now. Oh and perishables which I will buy in Nov or Dec. They can all be done in one go no problem.

I should add to the above that I buy for less than a dozen people so having three people left to buy for is not very impressive!

That's excellent well done!
Are you buying for kids too?
I have one almost sorted but not the others 🙈

Lovely dolly! I bet she'll be happy with her.

I haven't started because my kids won't tell me what they want! I like to have my shopping finished by 1st December (don't usually manage it though) 0
Wider family I know what I'm buying them but haven't brought it yet. With my parents I will be buying very late as I'm not entirely convinced they, especially my mum will make it to Christmas.

Another few presents sorted! A bespoke silver ring for my daughter that's she's pointed put to me a few times (not a bargain, it was pricey but my rationale behind it is I've bought it NOW so by the time December rolls around, it's a long gone sunk cost )

A beautiful dinner service set also for her - reduced from £86 to £7 (she has her own home, I'm not buying a dinner set for a 15 year old!)

My youngest - 15 - still only had a t shirt bought and stashed away but he's harder to buy for