I've bought 2 Christmas presents already

[BercowsFestiveFlamingo]

It's not my record, I once bought something in February but I don't think I've bought 2 presents this early before. In my experience you have to get things when they are available as otherwise nearer the time I won't be able to find them. One is a brand new with tags vinted special for Dd that I otherwise couldn't afford and the other is a bag for my mum that matches her winter gloves.

The problem with buying early is everyone ends up with more presents than I intended and being rather spoilt but although I don't like receiving presents myself I love giving them.

It's good to see other posters doing the same.
I've bought 3 more this week so doing well. Im off to London on a couple I'm determined not to buy too much this year

Not sure what happened there. I'm off to London in a couple of weeks and I'm planning on getting a couple of things from Fortnum and Mason to go in the Christmas stash.

I've got 6 now, my 9 year old has Autism and has been obsessed with dinosaurs since he was 2. If I see something he doesn't already own I have to grab it lol. So 3 of his main gifts and 2 stocking fillers for him, and a crafty set for the 3 year old. I normally try and be completely finished and wrapped by the end of November so I can just enjoy December, and with 8dc it's a lot of work.

Yep I bought another today.

This is the first year that I’ve started Xmas shopping so early, as I can’t afford this year to do it all all in one hit later on.

Currently shopping for stocking fillers and I’m really pleased I’ve made a start because it’s been shocking how quickly the £6 here, £20 there is adding up!

Good fun though!

I've bought a couple more presents, I think if I can buy two or three things per month from now until November I'll be sorted in time to wrap it all at the end of November and just enjoy December and buy all the food. It's a good way of spreading the cost but also spreading the headspace rather than one big rush in December.

I pick up things as I go. I often buy things in the January sale for next Christmas, usually decorations though.

I have bought gift sets as well at times. I keep an eye out for deals on my mums oils/ face creams too. If I saw something today that I knew someone would like I would just get it now so I don't think it is ever too early!

I normally don't really start until Oct/ Nov and like to have everything done and out of the way.

I got some already, been put away when she was a baby for when she turned 3. They were good offers. I have a spreadsheet to track things I buy so I never end up with too much that way.

You're doing better than me I've bought none so far. Ahh I usually have one or two by now but this year things are a bit tighter money wise. Hoping to start by October.

I usually start mid august to early September but am pretty pleased with myself this year - I got two beautiful embroidered pouches in the Elizabeth Scarlett sale for family members

I was slightly burnt by early buying last year. DS1 has loved pirates all his life, so I didnt anticipate him getting into pokemon/sonic etc. He did end up with a lot as I had to get another main present from Santa that he put on his list.

Pirates have had a comeback this year but I'm sticking to stocking fillers/small and medium presents. At 6 I'll now wait until he writes his letter for his two main presents (Santa and us).

DS2 is much easier as he will only just be 3 at Christmas. He is obsessed with Spidey and his Amazing friends and I dont see that changing. I already have his main bday (Nov) and Christmas presents and some small/medium ones. He is nearly done to be honest!

I have loads to buy for so do spread it out over the year. I also love it though, that helps!

I have in the past bought too much too soon, snapping up “bargains”, and putting it on a credit card. I think the interest on the credit card over six months probably more than cancelled out any savings! I do love Christmas though and always start thinking about it early. I’m much more sensible now, and put a bit of money into my savings each month so if I see something I can buy it. I tend to stick to stocking fillers in the summer (we love stocking presents in our house), and then start on main presents in the autumn.

I've already bought a Sock Advent Calendar for DD in Jan/Feb (bought one two years ago , there's 12 pairs , these are different ones )

Bought her 2 nail polishes today , new brand so she won;t have seen these .

I do a Dec 1st Box for DS and DD they get new socks/underwear so I go through all of them when they;re washed and dried to recycle /

I bought a jar of Cocoba Honeycomb chocolate , it has been opened and a few have been sampled so that's not for Christmas but might re-buy .

I bought a jar of Cocoba Honeycomb chocolate , it has been opened and a few have been sampled so that's not for Christmas but might re-buy

Omg, I’ve just googled this - they look amazing! Thank you for the idea, have ordered!

I haven't bought anything yet, mainly just writing down ideas as they come to mind.

I have a christmas savings acct which I save £60 a month in which works out to about £700 for shopping, plus an additional account for the food and stuff. I have splashed out on tickets to an event this year, which we wouldn't usually do. Was £175 for the 5 of us but I hope everyone will enjoy it.

I LOVE Christmas and buying tacky decorations from The Range is my achilles heel (much to my husbands dismay). I start visiting the Christmas displays in shops as soon as halloween is out the way

I got DD3s main gift in the prime day sale a Barbie camper van. I also got a bunch of other Barbie stuff which will be split between her birthday and Christmas. She’s already done her list, 3 items fairly easy and already in my aliexpress basket, one she’s not having, a puppy! I’ve also got 3 different Barbie oodies in different shopping baskets, just deciding which one to go for.

DD1 has an easy list except the £500 which she’s trying on now she knows the truth. I’m going down the experience route this year so won’t buy till closer to Christmas. I’ve got a few basic stocking fillers already and an oodie I’m buying on payday next week.

DD2 is the hardest to buy for yet I always seem to find stuff for her easy to buy closer to Christmas. I’ve got her a signed poster she will love and a couple of clothes. I’ve also got some bits in my aliexpress basket. She’s not into mainstream kids/girly stuff unless you include makeup, most things she likes aren’t popular so places like aliexpress are sometimes the only places I can find stuff unless I go down the rare collectibles route which I’m definitely not doing until she’s older. Also looking at experiences or more likely comic con tickets for her.

Got MIL sorted and FIL will be easy. It will be Christmas themed wine, beer & biscuits for the rest.

I’ve put 3 lots of money away in cards for DNs &DNphews so just another 3 to go.

Not sure on DH, last year we both went big as a rare treat so I suspect we will decide to keep things low key and only token gifts this year.

I got the advent calendar requests this week, a sly conversation my older DD bought up she wondered what the Elf’s would bring this year and DD3 pipped up straight away with the calendar she wants, DD2 was a bit cagey but we got out of her she wants a slime calendar 🤦‍♀️ so now DD1 wants that too. I will probably buy those in September when more options become available.

We don’t do December for Xmas eve boxes but the elf’s do bring treats through the month, I’ve usually got a supply of bits by now but a bit behind this year, again got a few bits in my aliexpress & shein baskets. This year will be fun as DD1 now knows the truth she’s excited to be involved in what the elf’s get up to and bring this year.

I’ve also got a number of decorations I’m my shopping baskets (not that I really need them), but they will go perfect with the 2nd tree theme this year and I thought it would be nice for DD3 to change up her little tree and have some of her own decorations as she’s left with using her sisters left over decorations each year.

O typing this out is getting me excited

This is my kind of thread!

I haven't bought anything yet, I usually start as soon as the schools go back in August, but I have started to write a list

I have 4 kids, 3 of which are teenagers and have no clue what to get them this year. 5 year old DD I pretty much have her list finalised 🎅🎄

I seem to start looking at this Christmas board earlier and earlier each year!

I've bought a few stocking fillers so far and also have a few left over from last year when I overbought 🙄 I also have a 'big' present from last year due to my youngest DD's last minute change of mind!

So far I've bought my teen DS a fun wash bag (VW camper van) as he has school trips next year and a kalimba. I've also bought him an atomiser as I realised he's been carrying around a big bottle of aftershave in his school bag! I might end up giving that to him sooner though!

DD(11) I've got one of those mini 'believe in yourself' books, clip-in rainbow hair extensions, novelty loofah. We bought her a resin keyring kit for her birthday last month which she absolutely loves so will probably get some refill bits and different decorations too.

DD(5) has a novelty loofah too and bird water whistle and a couple more things.

Hi everyone,

I don’t normally start my Christmas shopping so early but with another baby pending and the costs of everything soaring I thought I’d buy some bits as I go along this year and pop them past..

Anyway, my dinosaur obsessed son would absolutely LOVE this. It would be his big ticket toy for Christmas and it’s reduced atm in Smyths from £80 to £49.99 so I’m really tempted to grab it now. However, what’s worrying me is what if we end up with a faulty one or something and then I won’t be able to leave exchange it as you only get 30days. Do you buy your children’s big items this early and take the risk or do you purposely leave it until November/December before doing so?

thanks x

I’ve just ordered the PS5 for my DS. I’m not even going to mention it. It was completely out of stock last year, and he accepted that.
I can’t describe how much he wants one 😆

@Aug12 I would go for it. It would be extremely unlikely that it’s faulty, but I think they might still honour it as it’s a Christmas present

I usually start looking for things during July and adding to a list, I camelcamelcamel things to see what the "savings" actually are and then wait for a price drop. We also have an end of November birthday in the house so have to split things over the two.

I'm trying to dial it back this year (I say that every year!) But he's a not-supposed-to-be only child so I indulge myself in him pride and joy style.

I'm thinking switch as main present for Christmas this year.

Well done OP 👍

I always start early, this year I beat my record 😁 so I only need presents for DD2 and stocking fillers now.

I've added two more things to my Christmas cupboard collection. DS has a cool Lego Minifigure clock from vinted and Dd the next book boxset in the series she loves,
I won't have as much money this year due to going on holiday so I need to do some planning before buying anything else for anyone. I didn't buy anything for Christmas at Fortnum and Mason when I went but I got some ideas.

I've got a few presents and always do by this time of year - but I have to be strict and stick to a set number for DC or it gets out of hand!

I sent away for something for a friend today . It is a coffee table Art book. Very very expensive but reduced to £12. My friend loves these books but can't afford them so she'll be delighted by this one. I came across it by accident so it was a lucky find.