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?

I'm normally an all year round shopper but for the past couple of years have gifted experiences instead of bits and bobs. This year it's going to be one gift each and money which has been put aside each month since January (We only buy for closest family and dgd). I have picked up a Jellycat popcorn bag this week for dgd (9) after finding it in stock online. Planning to put gift cards inside for cinema and some money.
I did pick up a few bargains at the beginning of the year for December 1st. Some cosy cat Christmas pjs (sainsburys sale) cosy cat socks (next sale) and A Christmas cat book (The Works sale) all three came to just over £10. I bought two of each 1 for me and one for adult dd. Couldn't leave dgd so I picked her up some sale pjs, socks and a christmas book from works sale .
I'm looking forward to not having much to wrap up this year. Though we still have a few winter birthdays to think about and adults dds is a milestone one.

The only thing I have done about Christmas so far is book the time off work that i would like.

I bought some lovely smelling shower gels recently and thought I could use them as stocking fillers. Also some little bottles of gold flake.

Saw this this morning and felt inspired to shop! Ordered my mum, auntie, cousin, nan and best friends presents just now, mostly perfume in the boots sale. £183.80 saved because everything was in the sale except for one item. Due our first baby in early December so not having to dash around doing shopping will be a big relief by then I imagine. Will be following along with the Christmas clean too

I’m really going to cut back on what I buy this year as we all seem to have too much stuff, so I am still at the thinking stage. Our grandchild certainly has too much stuff, so I’m going to just buy them a modest main present and a couple of small stocking fillers and bung some money into their savings account. One home made advent calendar to do which will be the last year I am going to one, so I will start that first. I have complied a list for myself, so it’s there when anyone inevitably asks what I would like.

Got some bits in the Boots sale, including when it was 70% off. Also bought one of DH’s presents with 75% off at the store where I work. Also most of what I call the “ special” cards, some wrapping paper & gift bags. The catalogue sales were good & I got some nice things from the RNLI who I support all year round.

Er, nothing. 😂

Well thanks for adding such enlightening commentary on the CHRISTMAS board.

I've just managed to get the perfect (vintage, traditional, picture) advent calendar for my Dad. He's Orthodox Christian and has really specific requirements. He has Lewy Body Dementia and I don't know how many Christmases we have left.

I've also bought several books for 18yr old DD and 14yr old DS. And Metallica tickets as a joint present. I've usually done more by now but things aren't so straightforward right now.

I'm going to start planning some craft projects as I usually start them over the summer. I want to embroider some napkins and placemats this year for a start. I'm going to start looking for fabric I think.

Nothing bought but savings for Christmas spends now at £360. Iceland has £8.92 saved and accumulated Nectar points at £2.94. Save these all year and get odd bits and pieces with whatever the balance is.
Have been looking at a different train trip for GCs to see Santa - but as it's a family trip with one of the other sets of GPs - it needs a discussion to decide best date to go.

I have picked up a few stocking fillers. I had s few other things that my husband already gave out as rewards. So, I am hiding everything else I get from him 😆

If you don't mind me asking - what sorts of things do you put in the handmade advent calendar? Sounds lovely!

I haven't had much luck so far this year, not much to be had in the sales with the expectation of John Lewis.

DH:
Endoscope camera
John Lewis T-shirt

MIL:
Liberty Xmas fabric quaters
Xmas tapestry kit

Friends:
Nuxe Cracker
Arran Aromatics handcare set

DD (will be 4)
Dolls house sticker book
Tights

I have lots of ideas written down which feels positive.

We will have a new baby which is exciting!

I do need to think of an advent calendar idea this year for DD, I was a bit unorganised last year and ended up with too few items 🙈.

A keyring (fancy one) for my uncle, some bargain toilet bags for my girl friends as we do a “12 days” of treats for each other so we all have 24 pre Xmas gifts… some baby clothes for new grand baby…

@edinburghoreo it’s not unlike a Christmas stocking in many ways but with gifts being small enough to fit into the box.

A set of really nice bath bombs for a friend who loves these things. She's easy to buy for, unlike the rest of other people around me 😂
I'm thinking of custom photo calendars for family members this year (here is a whole guide on making them on your own!), so I've been taking pictures of our town and places nearby. I'll start designing them much later though, maybe mid-October or early November, right now I'm still collecting the illustrations.

Just som Christmas pjs for dd, usually wait until prime day and also mostly after dd birthday mid sept.

I have wrapping paper in the loft, and I've got some tickets to a musical in my basket. I've just started making lists of ideas, so my stash should grow a little each month.

I bought some make-up/perfume for DD (birthday in a couple of weeks) so I have some ideas what to get her for Christmas .
Going to look for a onesie for her , we're going away for a few days and she's convinced she;ll freeze . But it is something she'll wear lunging about at home too .

Aren't you worried about buying electronics and so on because the guarantee won't be valid or will be shorter term by Christmas?

In December I found an Our Generation (doll brand) Santa’s sleigh which my youngest will absolutely love. She has a stuffed toy she’s completely obsessed with and he’ll be happily riding it all Christmas. It’ll actually be wrapped and addressed to him.

I’ve spent the last few weeks crocheting like crazy and have a collection of hats and scarves to give as gifts.

I took out an extend warranty on the switch 2 I’ve purchased. Also you could use home insurance if the worst happens I guess.

You are all a terrible (or wonderful?) influence.

I have now bought tickets to a show and ebayed a new Christmas jumper. So I'm off the starting blocks! Thinking I'll get a few other little bits this month as we don't have any other major expenses.

I have finally started to get organised in the last month - I buy in sales through the year so have just picked up some lovely mittens and gloves, plus some 30% off at Jaques London and some half price things in the Monsoon sale, although a couple of those were actually bunny t-shirts for next Easter.

I also have a wooden toaster with toast/peanut butter/beans etc to add to a play kitchen my dad is getting my great niblings, although will have to add something else as they don't share well.

I think advent calendar gifts aside we are about 1/3 done, 1/3 planned but waiting for the right price and 1/3 haven't a clue!

Has anyone seen any nice ideas for men’s gifts? Nothing much has jumped out at me from the Father’s Day selections popping up. I usually use the inspiration to make a list at least.