How early is too early?

[Hop27]

The past few years I've felt really disorganised in the run up to Christmas and not been able to enjoy the fun bits. It's felt a bit transactional!!!
It's DH and DSS's birthday in November so I just feel like I haemorrhage money for around 8 weeks. To make matters worse we've done a big holiday in November so I'm just constantly behind.
How do people get organised early? What's the best plan, we live overseas I sometimes just find I'm panic buying online at the latest possible dates for postage.
I buy advent calendar's as gifts but I obviously can't get those until they come out in October!

I’ve bought my son a few small things but he’s 16 now and doesn’t really want or need anything. I might focus more on having lovely food and drink and card games

(Couple nieces and nephews but adults in my family don’t usually buy for each other)

I buy throughout the year if I see something I know so and so would like. The trick is to remember where I've hidden it! I have a running list - I only buy for my children and Teo sisters and niece, anyone else only if I'm actually going to see them and then it's a book or something

I book my Ocado Christmas deliver when the slots are first released and reserve my turkey from the farm in late November. Other than that I start thinking about Christmas in mid December. I can't think of many things that would be more depressing than buying things and planning in the summer and autumn.

This years christmas items are creeping in already
https://www.marksandspencer.com/percy-pig-hanging-christmas-decoration/p/hbp60606761?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share not that I'm buying it mind, but 23 sold in 24hrs.

I start buying things after dd birthday in mid September. It just depends what’s on sale etc… I have the hardest time with stocking presents… so I drip buy when i see stuff

I've already bought a fair few presents on prime day. I buy a few bits and bobs each month and hide them under the bed to save a big cost all at once. One of my children is also a Dec birthday so this helps spread the cost.

What are everyone’s thoughts on dressing up for Christmas, even if not visiting relatives ?

Do whatever you feel like. Some years when we have not had visitors or have not been visiting, we have really dressed up; think black tie. Other years its been a Friday night at the pub vibe, other years Christmas jumpers. So some years, we have really gone to town and others have been more low key, although some form of effort has gone into what we have worn.

I use the organised mum method, which starts as soon and they go back to school and if you follow it you will be done by the 1st December!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/959093525/the-organised-christmas-in-collaboration?gpla=1&gao=1&&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=shoppinggukenngbd-homeeandliving-homeedecor-walldecor-other&utmmcustom1=kkEAIaIQobChMIrTh-ixgAMVFLztCh16hge6EAsYASABEgIH2PDBwEEk&utmmcontent=go326232048820236466688885043435688pla-307501513391m959093525engbb138919109&utmcustom2=326232048&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMeuCk7vlSTJHfTQQQCmJprOn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrTh-ixgAMVFLztCh16hge6EAsYASABEgIH2PDBwE

On the back of this thread I spent an hour this evening lying on the sofa planning Christmas.

My Christmas savings plans are on track to cover all this.

I have a list of who is getting what, what the maximum price I will pay, when it went on offers last year and where

How many stamps I need to get, approx posting dates, All addresses checked and updated, stamps and whose cards will be first or second class or hand delivery, how many of each I need to get. actual Christmas cards are selected and on save for later in my Amazon basket and I usually have those written before the end of August and addressed so just need to stamp at the end of November..Jack

approx dates that delivery slots open and reminders set. . All added to the calender with several reminders

Mental image inventory of Christmas decorations and what I need to get and items marked to replace on Amazon wishlist..

List for baking made out - recipes compiled to go with this

what clothes I need for different events ,

I have a list of fresh food to get Christmas week and the non perishables and household bits that are needed, that I can sort in the weeks leading up..

Will have house guests so pre guest house plans are made

Only things to work out are what youngest nephew wants for Christmas, I'll get him to send me a link but am currently waiting for his birthday to be over before I ask him to think about Christmas..
Middle niece might not be in the country, she is going travelling so depending on how that's going. If she isn't home, she will get either money or a voucher for an experience.

The family have a run of birthdays in December (youngest niece is 21 in November) and then from 30th November to 19th December, we have 8 birthdays in rapid succession

Never too early to plan, organise and start savings.

FlyLady does a plan (possibly 6 weeks?) where you pretend you're leaving on a cruise on 1st Dec and getting home on 24th. So effectively you get to enjoy the season all organised and deep cleaned in advance.

There is also one by The Organised Home (Housework and Holiday Plan) starting. In September with weekly tasks to get organised, buy everything over time and deep clean the house - and the 2 weeks before christmas are about enjoying the season, only needing minimal cleaning and using up freezer meals you've done over earlier weeks rather than depending on conveniences in the frantic weeks.

I've already started writing present ideas down & start buying from around September (although I found a bargain the other day so already have 1 gift crossed off the list). I like to start wrapping at the beginning of December & do a few every evening for a week or 2, I also plan in advance when I'll drop presents off to people. I am also a big fan of lists & add things throughout the year.

I started looking around the shops/online for present ideas in July and have started a list in my 'notes' app.
I'll start buying presents this month.
I guess I feel organised, but at the same time i'm also keeping myself distracted from the fact that this will be the first christmas without my dad 😞

We used to have a full nativity costume set in adult and children sizes- up to 25 people

these days just grown up but still do angels and shepherds

you go for it

That sounds really fun

Never too early! I have a savings account that money goes into each month. I use that to buy throughout the year or if my current account isn't strapped, I don't. I use this site and an offers group on Facebook throughout the year. I have a list on my notes app that has who I am buying for and then I just add in either what I am planning to buy or what I have bought. I review who I am buying for every year e.g I stop buying for godchildren/nieces/nephews after 18. I use a symbol for bought, packed and given/sent on my list My budget is quite low so mostly I see it as a token gift. I make and bake a lot. I try not to buy stuff for the sake of it or something too novelty....my older kids really aren't going to appreciate elf pyjamas! I focus my attention on everyone else I am buying for and then do my kids. My husband and I don't usually buy for each other, other than a stocking.

I’ve bought 6 presents now since reading this thread. It feels really nice and that I will have more time and money to focus on getting the house decorated just right this year. I’ve never had it the way I wanted before