Anyone else waiting or not feeling it this year?

[ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS]

Usually, like my fellow Christmas enthusiasts, I’m well on my way to stocking up for next Christmas, this year though, I’m just not feeling it. I bought a couple of decs in the January sales, but that’s it and compared to other years it was literally nothing. Last year I was forced to hold out due to a big house move but I was still picking up lots of little bits I could “justify” somehow in buying. This year no reason like that, but I’m just not getting into it.

I did notice that there weren’t as many sale items this year, that definitely put me off. Even recently I was walking round and saw ex Christmas stock, but not being reduced, again I thought what’s the point of buying and storing if not getting it reduced.

Any one else feeling like this?

My DCs are getting older so not as easy to “predict” their wants, but they still have certain hobbies and interests that don’t change that I can usually buy for. I’m really hoping this passes as I pride myself on being super organised for Christmas. I’m giving myself till the Amazon Prime sales in July 🤞 it gives me my Christmas boost.

Before anyone starts moaning, I’m posting this on the Christmas board, so don’t comment if your only going to moan about how far away Christmas is,

It's April?!?!

I read it and still thought "But it's April!".

I’ve just had a look and I’ve got a few little gifts for people that I got in the boots Christmas sale and I think there will be enough wrapping paper in the cupboard but other than that I haven’t got much. I can’t see how I’m going to afford much more though.

I'm feeling it! Had a bad/ok Christmas last year but the reasons for that have changed now. For a few weeks now I've felt so Christmassy! I knit so have started on my Christmas knitting. I've been watching loads of Christmas specials and films. Looking forward to July as for Christmas in July last year one of the movie channels went all Christmas films for the month. I've bought 1 or 2 gifts, but can't wait to all the gifts to appear in the shops, I'm itching to buy! The Range online have a lot of Christmas decoration in, just search, 'Christmas,' and they'll come up.
I hope the feeling comes for you soon OP.

I think people are missing the point! She isn't saying she doesn't feel Christmassy and feels she should be singing Christmas carols and drinking mulled wine by now. She means she's normally got a few gifts in the sales by this point in the year. Or picked up Christmas stuff in the sale which if you read the bargain threads/Christmas board you'll know this is common to have a buzz with having some savings and things organised for next Christmas 🙄

<Disclaimer> I am ancient si I am very aware how the year is rushing by and I sometimes feek like I;m wishing my life away .
My DC are adults and though my DD loves Christmas , my DS is a right little Bah Humbug , he likes money for presents ( which I am 100% fine with as no point buying just for the sake of it , and he saves )
He'll happily scoff a Christmas Dinner

I don't buy presents months ahead because I know they'll change their minds about things .

But I do have my Christmas Book that I write all my lists in, and jot down any ideas of things I want to buy so I don;t forget.
I've got a Christmas Cupboard in the kitchen with my festive plates , straws etc

For Dec 1st , I do a hamper for DS and DD with winter pyjamas , loungeear , undrwear ,socks , some sweets .
I used to make a Beauty Advent for my DD (put the days gift in a box that I left out for her , the number was a wooden advent tag 1-24 on the ribbon, and the box used each day ) . Last year I did one box on Dec 1st because it is bloody hard work finding 24

Last year DH and I went on a 2 day trip to a Christmas Market (which got that out of my system )

This year I;m going to book a couple of days before Christmas weekend , I have worked up to 23rd and then the week between Christmas and New Year for the past few years . Last year I thought I need more time to plan and relax -and clean and cook.

I love autumn/winter , Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes .But I am not going to be running about the shops in mid December trying to buy things . And every year there are posts about "Help I left it too late to buy a turkey" ....on the 24th . Well, its not like the day has come as a surprise .

At the moment I'm garden planning , growing on some plants and thinking about Bank Holiday tidying .
But it is Rudolph Day (25th of the month) so Christmas planning ahoy .

I wouldn't worry too much, this year your shopping trend might be different but that doesn't mean you won't be organised. There's lots of little tasks that can be done throughout the year and maybe you'll do more towards the autumn end but it'll be fine 🎄

Not a Christmas person but DC has a Nov bday so I do try to get things for him throughout the year so the end of year isn't an expensive affair with two present months.

Getting things in sales makes sense even if I lack the festive spirit

Glad your feeling it. Christmas movies are on all year round here and my DCs are usually working on their lists by May. They feel once their birthdays are done it’s time to focus on Christmas 😆

I’m definitely hoping the buzz I normally get comes back soon x

Thank you x

I did buy one thing yesterday, a Christmas dress with hat & tights for £1 in Primark. I bought the same for one of my older DDs 2 years ago for £10 so was very happy yesterday when I got the same set for my youngest for just a £1.

I love Christmas and I’m a regular visitor of this board fr
September onwards. I always think it’s too early to think about gifts as people’s interests change. I think as people become more conscious about buying less stuff people will save to buy later rather than buying early.

If it's something that you know they'll use then absolutely grab a bargain, the tights and dress sounds lovely

Last year I saw daek green pyjamas 50% off for my DD , I was looking at them before Christmas and she's an adult so not growing .

Just need to remember where you put them.

I have an Advent Socks Box for her already

I think the bargain threads are quiet for this time of year so I don't have as much as I normally do by now 😄

I feel the same. I think I started in around April this time last year and was done for my daughter by July, but I definitely peaked too soon and wished I'd had waited, she started school in September and changed so much during that time, although she did still enjoy everything she was given. Trying really hard this year to wait but am off work as a nurse as I'm having chemotherapy so writing down ideas for people for Christmas and browsing online is helping to pass the time. I've ordered some sale bits from Smiggle (stationary set, bag set, and some stocking bits) that I know she'll enjoy and won't have grown out of by December (she's 5, 6 in January) and Guess Who was 33% off in the Entertainer so I've ordered that. Hoping now I have things in the Christmas cupboard this will scratch the itch!

Maybe you are not feeling it because it has become a year round obsession for you as opposed to a special event?

I always buy bits through out the year. Most of my neices and nephews are older now so I just put money in a card but I have 15 of them. I've put the money away for them already as I buy money wallets. The 4 younger neices I've bought their presents.

I have two of my own DC I have my dd finished for Christmas I was very lucky and got a free Nintendo switch which she really wants. I've bought games,case headphones, grips, screen protector,colours, Sketch book, disco ball gaming chair and few other bits. Also got her advent calendar fanf when it was onsale.
My ds I've got him a gaming chair was €177 down to €87xbox controller and headset was €60 got it for €40. I will put money away for my ds see what he wants closer to the time. I love Christmas and love to be organised and enjoy December.

You sound super organised @ilovetea14, this is usually me. We have 12 birthdays in Oct/Nov/Dec, thankfully only regularly buy for 6 these days, except for special numbers, which is why I like to be done or at least mostly done by September so I can relax and not think about anything but enjoying all the events at the end of the year. I also health health issues which mean I’m not able to work at a pace others do so being organised through the year means a lot less stress and worry that I will burn myself out missing the entire Christmas period, which I’ve done before.

Not to mention I love a good bargin 😉

I also like the idea of putting money in cards early @ilovetea14 , most of my teenage nephew’s & niece’s prefer cash so I think I’m going to start doing this, seal their cards (remember where I put them!), then I can tick them off my list.

@ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS I write out the cards put the money in and leave them in the press ready to go. I have 10 birthdays leading up to Christmas 4 of which are in December. That's why I like to start early. I write everything I bought down and how much it cost and where I put it and tick off the list as I go! Who doesn't love a good bargain 😀

@ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS I have the reputation in my family for being super organised about Christmas. The reality is that it mostly organises itself after the 30+ years that I've been doing it and as a result most of the excitement from early in the year has gone. Now my children are adults I tend to ask them what they want so the thrill of finding "the perfect gift" has mostly disappeared.

The excitement and planning really kick in for me once I start organising the food and any events that might be happening. I'm also a crafter so knitting and crocheting any gifts for the little ones in my wider family help ramp up the old feelings.

I don't think it's unusual for you not to feel the same as previous years - you'll feel it eventually.

I have just started getting very excited as we’ve just confirmed our plans and will be spending it with nephews and nieces on both sides, some of whom are young enough to still believe, but up until now, I’ve not really been that organised compared to previous years. I don’t think it helps that the sales don’t appear to have been as good this year.

I've always had to budget carefully for Christmas which does mean thinking about it early. And seeking out bargains etc

So I get it. But I've only felt christmassy IN late November and December for the last 2 years. I think people are consciously or subconsciously wanting a more simple Christmas these days (CoL) so maybe this is why?

I noticed last Christmas that a lot of stock was full price from the Christmas before. So I'd expect the same this Christmas too.

We didn't have a proper Christmas last year as we were moving house between Christmas & New Year. No tree or decorations went up as everything was packed. We usually have a quiet Christmas & enjoy family time, nice food & chilling out. But it was so flat with none of the "sparkle".

This year will be better, and our first as grandparents! I will definitely be online shopping through the year so I am well prepared. 🎅🎄🎁

This is my first thoughts when viewing houses too!