I just finished the christmas shopping for my kids.

[MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel]

Big Amazon order will arrive over the next few days (except for a game on pre-order) and I know it's not even November yet, but it's always such a relief to get the kids done.

Now I can focus on the food, drink, and other gifts (not that I really buy for anyone else).

Happy as well as I came in under budget by around £90 😁 across the 3 of them.

They'll get money from the inlaws and my parents which they'll spend on lego undoubtedly come January.

Anyone else finished? Hows the budget looking?

I did indeed to as planned. I have done the vast majority of my children's gifts. I've done DP unless I can get hold of Talisman board game (doubtful!) before Christmas. My parents are also done.
Feeling smug (smug to my last week me who thought this was a terrible plan to try and do most of it in one stint!). I can now just pick up any extra bits as I see them. Happy days!

Oh i found that obscure cd not the lemonheads :)

I think I need a lie down! 🤣

I have a similar budget. Stockings for my teens (boys) would include a couple of selection boxes, a large chocolate Santa (pound shop) six pack of beers (Fanta for younger ones!) socks, pyjama bottoms, tub of chewing gum, Lindt reindeer, those winter gloves that work on a touch screen phone, beanie hat

Obviously they don’t believe in Father Christmas anymore but they still love a stocking —when they emerge at lunchtime😂

I put money aside but don’t do Christmas shopping until December.
If you can bear to wait, the “Christmas aisle” in Tescos reduces everything to half price on Christmas Eve. I get a lot for stockings then.

Oh wind your neck in. She's not asking you to pay for her Christmas, so off you pop with your judgement.

I’m about 75% done... just a few more stocking bits, the annual lush, some Lego for dd and then all the gift cards I have to purchase. I’m usually much more organised than this.. it’s kinda threw me off...

Thanks @EricNorthmanYesPlease I think I've bought every craft set etc known to man for them over the last few years!

Making good progress with DC presents 😊

Put through 3 Smiggle orders last night under the 3 for 2 sale which was a great saving!! I also collected my Argos click and collect earlier.

I’ve still got an Entertainer order to collect on Wednesday.

I’d like the old £10 off £50 Smyths sale as they’ve got some bits that are on DCs’ lists that I haven’t seen elsewhere. I may just buy now and be finished 👏

First wooden train set
cuddly reindeer
shape block sorter
interactive walker
book collection
pjs
christmas jumper
pants socks tights
train play
soft play skittles
fabric animal flash cards

@kateandme thanks! The train set is a good idea. It's difficult when you've got a slightly older one too, isn't it, as there are already so many toys!

Almost finished for my 2, the youngest is done, I want to get my eldest a couple more bits which I'll order Friday (payday).

I don't have a set budget but I'm at about £330 between them, they've got 13/14 presents each, but we don't do big cost gifts at Christmas, we save those for their birthdays in March

What did you spend the other half on?

Has anyone not started and starting to panic?😱

For those with teenagers that are spending around £150 or less including stockings, could you possibly list what you have bought and put prices beside them?
I would really love to only spend around £100 each this year on my teens but when I think about even just a stocking it seems to really add up even when it is cheap things in it

We have just increased from 100 main present and 50 stocking to 150 main present and 50 stockings (because what they want costs 178 for main - I won't be topping up but as there are three of them I have a rough budget and a few pounds either way don't get evened up, iyswim.

So...this is a bit mixed up between them:

Mini selection box £1
Long tube Oreo's £3
Body Shop shower gel £6
Christmas.T-shirt £12
Christmas pj bottoms £14
Chocolate make a tree £5
Silly make a pop up £3
DVD £11
Pokémon fluffy socks £12
Book £10

We have a shared WhatsApp group just for gift suggestions, and I only put about 6/7 things in.

I’m doing well this year - I’ve got to buy iPads but they’re coming from the in-laws so no outlay there, and my spreadsheet I have £562 left to spend so over 2 pay days that should be attainable! It’s finding the space to store it…. And to stop the twitch

How big are your stockings?! Or do you use a sack as a stocking?
Those who have young kids and have finished, do they already know what they want? I asked mine yesterday what they’d like for Christmas (8, 7 and 3) and none of them had any idea. Feel like I shouldn’t buy anything until I know what they actually want!

I’ve started shopping now! 🎉

a few toys for nieces and nephews that their mums suggested- easy peasy.

some expensive Nike socks and undergarments for my teen that she wouldn’t normally be allowed to get- that’s the nice thing about this time of year.

We write a letter to Santa at the beginning of December which we then go and 'post' (well, I write and DC decorates 😁). I normally suggest a few things to 4yo DC (I have a fairly good idea of the sort of things they like) and DC chooses one or two to ask for in the letter from my suggestions.

I just need to choose and order a play kitchen (and food and stuff for it) but I'm waiting until Black Friday to see if there's any good deals. If there are any good deals I'll probably get him a drum and a bubble machine too.

I'm also waiting until Black Friday to see if the camera bag my boyfriend wants is on sale before I order it.

My mum's done but I still need a few things for my dad.

I need something else for my grandma, something for boyfriends parents, something for 3 friends and their little ones..

My eldest (9) has had a list in the works since his birthday in March 😂 we don't buy much throughout the year so whenever he's listing after something he's told 'pop it on your Christmas list', I refuse to look at it before my birthday in September. Santa only brings stockings here so he doesn't write a list/letter to him, just shows it to me (it's a word document, with prices 😂)

My youngest (2) likes everything, he's still at that really easy to buy for stage

I'm done! Just waiting for BF for the cinema passes and some stuff to come in the post and then I can finish wrapping. It's such a relief to have older kids and I can store stuff without worrying they'll open it.

Total is 1168.09 for four teens, two sets parents, two sisters and about ten kids.

It's less than ten years ago when the grand total was £1247.72

Aiming for under £1000 next year.

done here apart from 3 vouchers
my dad birthday is 3rd dec but that's also done as she wanted new headphones
I just have an amazon voucher for my son to get and a voucher each for my sister and daughter to go with their other little pressies
I suspect a waterstones voucher for my daughter
and maybe next for my sister
I am away for xmas at my daughters but have also got quite a few of the xmas nibbles chocolates nuts crisps crackers etc
Now for the wrapping !!! everyone 8s having gift baskets apart from my niece and brother in law so should make it a little easier!!
Does anyone know anywhere doing cry baby dolls bit cheaper those toy adverts lol !! Not good for 4 year olds!!

Made a start on DD today,

Magic Mixies crystal ball thing reduced to £60 on Amazon from £84, she got the cauldron last year and loved it and the new one can be a night light as well, she's all about magic and witches at the moment so she'll love it.

Little live mama Guinea pig thing, after magic and witches she loves toys that are 'real' and if they can have babies all the better so it ticked every box.

Still on the list is:

Turning red cuddleez pillow
A new dressing gown
Funny bones books

And some other bits and bobs. Hoping to have it all done and dusted in the next couple of weeks.

Forgot totals didn't I?

So far: £124.99

Left to get: £76.98

Hoping for a total of less than £250 after wrapping paper and any other bits and bobs.