Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Sooo......last minute shoppers....why?

139 replies

McManus1 · 23/12/2023 19:06

It's Christmas.....you have known about it for a year, why are you ordering gifts last minute or food on Christmas eve?

Genuine wonder.

OP posts:
TheGirlWhoLived · 23/12/2023 20:35

Because it’s fun getting things late

theduchessofspork · 23/12/2023 20:36

Because I can and it means I only think about it for a short amount of time

Frauhubert · 23/12/2023 20:40

Because i told DH no Christmas presents this year, but it turns out he bought me one nevertheless- so i felt obliged to go shopping today and buy him something too.
there were a lot of sales too which only just started so of course people prefer to pay 30-50% less than if they had done their shopping weeks ago.
Why do the last minute shoppers bother you OP? Were they getting in the way of YOUR shopping? 🛒

AuntieMabelsLeftSock · 23/12/2023 20:41

People do things for all sorts of reasons, there's no need to sneer at their 'choices'.

The season of good will and all that.

🎶 don't be a cunt at Christmas 🎶

Lostinbrum · 23/12/2023 20:43

Iloveraccoons · 23/12/2023 19:19

Because I've got ADHD and find it impossible to do anything without the pressure of it having to be done RIGHT NOW.

HTH.

I'm like this. I don't like Xmas shopping or spending money so need the pressure and panic to set in before I finally do something about it. Hadn't bought single thing before Friday when I got paid. Say I won't leave it last minute every year but here I am yet again

Gindrinker43 · 23/12/2023 20:45

Because my DDad dementia has deteriorated and we have spent the last week supporting him and sorting care, so plans for shopping and delivering cards have taken a back seat. Just got back from Tesco.

Scarletttulips · 23/12/2023 20:47

My mother has always shopped Christmas Eve - everything wrapped and food prepped. One day instead of weeks organising.

I almost do this - I fetched a fresh turkey today less than half price at £11.00, veg reduced too.

I got everything I needed in a quiet shop and no queues and good parking.

Tomorrow we have a day off to bake, play games and watch a Christmas film. We’ve done panto and iceskating, fed reindeer, had Christmas parties and friends round. Shopping is last on the list.

My time has been better spent with the kids rather than for the kids.

Each to their own.

familyissues12345 · 23/12/2023 20:50

Just utterly disorganised, and after being unwell in the run up for the last 3 christmases, I'm now determined to change it next year! I have no idea why I leave everything, just always seem to do it then get very stressed..

SD1978 · 23/12/2023 20:51

Food- because I'd like it to last the week without having to go back out, with the fresh produce. Other stuff, because I can

NoWayRose · 23/12/2023 20:55

Budget - if I could just go and order everything on Amazon full price, it would take me one evening. Trying to bid for things on EBay, Vinted, looking for codes etc means there are always a few things left close to the wire.

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 23/12/2023 20:56

McManus1 · 23/12/2023 19:06

It's Christmas.....you have known about it for a year, why are you ordering gifts last minute or food on Christmas eve?

Genuine wonder.

It's not even Christmas Eve yet. Still perfectly acceptable to be doing shopping today.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 23/12/2023 21:00

I’ve picked up my fruit and veg today. There was plenty today and the shop was fairly quiet for before Christmas. I want my food to last over the next few days. I have picked up gifts this week as I’ve not had a chance of it wasn’t in stock.

Moonshine5 · 23/12/2023 21:08

Maybe their private jets were delayed, or the housekeeper forgot, or the limousine was at be the garage.
Or maybe OP they need to wait until payday or they have small freezers.

Why be so uncharitable?

OldTinHat · 23/12/2023 21:14

Iloveraccoons · 23/12/2023 19:19

Because I've got ADHD and find it impossible to do anything without the pressure of it having to be done RIGHT NOW.

HTH.

I have ADHD too. That's why Christmas was purchased, wrapped and delivered by the beginning of September 😆 I've also done all birthday presents, mothers day and fathers day for next year and am starting to buy for next Christmas 🎄

MysweetAudrina · 23/12/2023 21:36

Because I will just keep spending until there are no shops left open to spend in and then I will shut down and enjoy all my spoils over the next few weeks. I am busy in the run up but prefer to live life in the present and it is only Christmas on Monday so no way I am going to start living for it and letting it into my thoughts in September.

ofestivetree · 23/12/2023 21:39

Some people love the thrill

SemperIdem · 23/12/2023 21:39

I focus best with a hard deadline.

I always leave it to the last minute to buy presents (except for my child), I’m never stressed about it, it’s just what I do 🤷🏻‍♀️

Mind is focused, get it all done (and thoughtfully so) in about 2-3 hours. Usually treat myself to lunch during that timeframe too.

DreamingInPhosphorescence · 23/12/2023 21:50

I hate shopping, the challenge of a close deadline livens it up, and if you go into it without a fixed list and with a bit of imagination it’s almost fun. Plus it increases the bargains.

Caffeineislife · 23/12/2023 21:50

In my case it's because this afternoon, MIL phones me and asks can GMIL and GFIL, Uncle and Niece also come for dinner? I asked weeks ago, they had plans GPIL and Uncle were going to a distant aunt's, Niece was staying with her mum. Distant aunt now has a cold and isn't up to hosting, Uncle has invited Niece to come to his as he is now not doing dinner at distant aunt's and Niece's mum has her new bf round for Xmas lunch that niece is not keen on. MIL has very kindly offered that Caffeine is doing dinner and I'm sure she wont mind 4 more... The butcher I ordered my meat from was very kind and made up a smaller separate joint for me - luckily we were having beef this year and not turkey. I had to join the scramble for more veg after completing all my Xmas shopping yesterday.

Sugarsun · 23/12/2023 22:05

Because I lost my job so had no money.

Then I got a new job and was waiting until I got paid.

Then I got paid and got covid which wiped me out.

Moomoominla · 23/12/2023 22:09

Because I freeze under all the pressure.

Kwasi · 23/12/2023 22:27

I don't have room in my fridge and cupboards for all my regular stuff and the Christmas stuff. I will be buying my turkey on Christmas eve.

Last minute shopping is usually because people unexpectedly buy for my son, making me feel obliged to buy something in return.

Also, we had an unexpected visit from Father Christmas last week, when I discovered DS really wanted a particular item. He's only asked for 3 small things in total, so it would have been pretty shit of me not to have ordered it.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 23/12/2023 22:29

Because where I live it’s not particularly busy In the shops even though it’s Christmas.

Alargeoneplease89 · 23/12/2023 22:32

I'm a control freak so always organised but can see why people are last minute because there could be lots of reasons.

Some people can't afford it and wait until the pay before Christmas.

Health reasons - ADHD, Depression etc

Some people don't make a big fuss of Christmas and therefore don't plan for months on end.

Gifts may have been lost in the post

Forgotten someone

Squit · 23/12/2023 22:36

I live for the danger Xmas Grin