What have you bought for Christmas so far?

[PoodlesRUs]

fair warning: this is Christmas board :D

I've picked up some bits and pieces from Boots' £10 Tuesdays, e.g. makeup and brushes that can go to present appeals by local charities. Also ordered some new velvety red Christmas stockings which arrived today. They feel horrible so will return, unfortunately. I also got Christmas cards from the Barnardo's sale earlier this year.

What have you got so far?

Got the crackers, they were cheap. Close to BBE date etc. etc.

Just hope they don't go soft or are stale before the cheese course on Christmas Day.

(I opened the box last month and they seemed reasonably OK.)

They'll be fine. If you use a batch number checker on things you buy anyway you might be surprised how old some of them are! Often cosmetics don't have expiry dates, instead they have shelf lifes from the point of opening (you'll see the open tub symbol with number of months beside it). So, if you see a bargain or it works for your budget to spread the cost then crack on and buy!

I'm in need of cheering up, so I'm joining the Christmas boards already. I now have 6 children to buy for, plus my husband. Sadly, I've just lost my Mum so I'm thinking of spending our first Christmas without her on holiday so I don't dwell too much.

I have this for my baby, who'll be 10 months at Christmas. It's such fun! I paid £5 at a car boot sale for it, and it's in perfect condition so I'm very pleased. I also have some books stashed away for my teen, but they may end up being used for her birthday. There will be LOTS of Lego being bought this year!

OP this thread makes me so happy! 🎅🏻😂

So I always pop down to all the bargain shops on 27th/28th Dec and re-stock Xmas wrap and cards as required.

I love The Works sales for stocking fillers/pressies for younger children of friends. I love Boots sale for ongoing bits through the year, e.g. Mother’s Day, Mum & sister’s bday, etc.

I’ve now bought presents for my Goddaughter and her brother all wrapped and ready to drop off at our May meet up (they live 2 hours away, and their Mum loves to swap as early as poss, so doesn’t judge this being so early 😂).

DH then puts everything from my initial after Xmas sale shop into storage boxes in our loft for me. I photograph them & keep a master list on my phone.

I love it!!! 🎅🏻😂

I save each month to go towards Christmas presents so although I don't buy it all earlier in the year I do save for it so it's not all coming out of my November wage. I make a list throughout the year when I hear people say "oh I like XYZ" or if I see something online I think might be good. I only tend to buy them prior to October-ish if there are good deals or sales on. Happy to share my list below in case anyone is looking for inspiration.

So far for my 13/14 year old I have this on my list:
Nomination charms
Funko pops
Calendar
Bum bum cream
Starbucks gift card
Make up
Crocs
Books about space

Oh my gosh I was about to say I’ve found my people too

dc1
new duvet and pillow set
airpods
tracksuit in the next size up
pull up bar

dc2
duvet and pillow set
toy bean bag holder
squishies X2
flower Lego

dc3
duvet and pillow set
adjustable size skates
basketball hoop

dc4
duvet and pillow set
paw patrol figures
paw patrol car garage toy thing
cry baby

dc5 and dc6
new bedding
glow stars for the walls and ceiling
wall stickers
bath toys - crayons, water suéter, waterfall thing

I use the Gift List app to keep track of ideas as well as things I buy - I’ve just picked up winter slippers for my daughter and I did have some jewellery from January sales for her, but may give that for birthday instead.
I've also just bought some little jars with a bracelet set in it - beads and charms etc. Lovely little stocking filler!
I also save money each month as my children are getting older and harder to predict presents. But this board has brought me SO much joy since I found it early 2023 - long may it continue, and thank you all for loving Christmas as much as me 🎄❤️

Bought some bargain gift wrap in Ikea

Ah but the £2.50s and fivers and odd bit more you save here and there on wrapping paper, gift tags, decor, crackers, winter PJs & slippers, stocking fillers, perfume in the sales etc really mount up. Makes it much more comfortable come Nov/Dec/Jan. More money for food and "main" presents! Or for summer ice creams and days out depending how your budgeting works 😃

I think we’ve only bought socks for in stockings so far but we have wrapping paper and cards already so that’s sorted. After DD and DS’s birthdays in July and August is when I really start buying but I’m saving already.

Thinking of making a few more things this year - rhubarb gin if our rhubarb plant takes enough and perhaps bramble brandy because that went down well a couple of years back.

It's not just the money , it's the time too
If I buy something and put it aside , I have time to think about it .
I buy beauty items for my DD Dec 1st Box ( I used to do a Beauty Advent Calendar for her but it is quite tricky ! )
Her Dec 1st Box has things she can use throughout the month leading up ( and she's an adult so she knows it is part of her presents )
Skin care , nail care and polishes, hair care, showergel , some lip balm, make-up , and the obligatory Foot and Hand Mask !
I start buying these in August when I see them.

What I do not want is trying to buy things in December , the shops are busy , people complain about queues .
After 2 shops my hands are full , so I have to go back to my car to drop things off .
Then go for a Festive Coffee , find a loo , keep a close eye on my purse. Feel I'm getting in everyone's way /holding up queues .
Dress for the weather and boil to death in the shops

So , if all goes as planned :

Have everything bought before Dec 1st .(except food , that's later )
Yes , there's the risk of The Twitch !

Christmas Clean-a-Long so I can pretend to be organised .
Few days away in December
Few days off work over Christmas
Don't start the New Year skint or bloated - that's the plan

Gift wrap from Next sale.
Festive card making press plate and card blanks.

Not bought anything but have started rounding up on Iceland Shops and have £5.72 so far. Nectar has £2.67 and am saving £60 per month for Christmas related stuff.

Nothing! I often buy pyjamas in the christmas/new year sales for next year but nothing took my fancy this year and the kids I buy for are of an age where their tastes and interests could change rapidly over the year! I'll be holding out for black friday and amazon prime day later in the year.

Dps birthday is the 23rd,so it's double present buying
I've got him a tee,a print of 'the day you where born',a vintage kaleidoscope and a lamp in the shape of a crow holding a bulb (so far)

I need to buy for my darling mil (I'm better at gift buying and enjoy finding things)

The kids will get money and I'm doing the same for our granddaughter (as ds has asked for this until she's a bit older)

Reading it and feeling jealous - I wish I could be that organised. Feeling jealous.

I’ve bought zilch but I have so little storage space. However, I am already saving every month (you’d be surprised how much the odd £20 here and there adds up!) so that when November comes I’m not in shock.

I bought some Christmas cards and some hand cream sets - but my DD found my stash and used it all. Including the Christmas cards!! She has been dishing out Christmas cards all May 😂 (SEN kid before anyone shakes their head too hard)

It's her favourite time of the year and she would love it if Christmas was all year long.🎄

@70isaLimitNotaTarget I very intrigued by the Christmas clean along. What is that please? If it’s anything to do with solidarity whilst cleaning, I’m even more interested!

Really? Wow.
I thought I was on it having a jar of goose fat left over from last year.

I was in Italy last week so bought some Christmas nativity pieces which will be presents for some of the family.

I want to get ahead a bit so that I can spread the cost, I have quite a few birthdays from September onwards and it’s always a bit of a squeeze!

Nothing yet, which isn't like me as I'm sure this time last year I did have some bits.
DD has a birthday in December so I need to think of that too. I think both kids want new bikes this year so that will be good for Christmas as it will look nice and equal Christmas morning! I'm wondering if we might do the barbie dreamhouse for DD for her birthday - she really wanted it last year but we didnt have the space, I think we will have room by December, but it hasnt been mentioned much this year so not sure if it's still wanted!
I've got a few stocking fillers in my basket on tiktok shop - a little electronic noughts and crosses game i thought DS would like so might go and order that now, I've been inspired!

I've linked you into the Christmas Clean A Long Thread

It started about Sept so gives you 12 weekends and inspiration.
It works well - I love doing a list , even something that takes me longer to write than to do , it;s like a win when I tick things off the list

I;ll start my list in the Christmas Notebook , though I did clean the oven last weekend <smug> so I am ahead.

Thanks @70isaLimitNotaTarget sounds good, I’ll have a look at that thread. Appreciated.

Two lovely art books from a book shop that was closing down and selling off their stock at 80% discount. My DCs are adults with their own coffee tables.