It is August, and it has just dawned on me...

[orangehandles]

It's August. I can start thinking about Christmas now... 😍

It was a pp's thread about advent calendars that's done it for me!

You need to manage expectations here. I have a teen DD who likes beauty stuff but there is no way I could afford 25 high price items. Her calendar is made up of a combination of a couple of high price items, interspersed with chocolate and sweets with a few mid range price things thrown in on different days. It adds to the fun/ expectation.

Ah yikes, @SlatternIsMyMiddleName I was meaning this is in a lighthearted tone 🤦‍♀️

My son is nd and managing expectations is a work in progress. I actually do quite similarly to you. The things I've put in the calendar so far haven't actually been expensive individually although it can add up I suppose. Things he will use such as bookmarks, socks, some chocolate, small puzzles etc, and he loves a treasure hunt so some days I give him clues to find the chocolate. I struggle with ideas, although he likes to give me some, forgetting I'm not a millionaire (half joking!).

I've been buying throughout the year but now I've got the kids birthday parties booked and more or less sorted out their birthday presents I feel I can properly focus on Xmas planning now! X

Planning Christmas gifts helps get me through this part of the year, I miss dd when she goes back to school and I'm at work and it's busy and dark and cold. I've just started and have got her main gift ordered, a stable for her horses which she really wants. I love buying gifts for people and choosing things I hope they will love.

Can I join please? I try to put off until September before I "properly" think about Christmas but who's going to know a day early 😉

I’m getting really annoyed that the shops haven’t got the wrapping paper in yet, I really hate wrapping presents. (And Christmas is mad in my family so have loads of gifts to wrap already !) B&M have everything but the paper (grabbed a squasables advent last week as these sold out everywhere near here last year)

I’ve found my people !

I keep telling people only 4 paydays to Xmas, they look at me as if I’ve gone mad !

Love this - I tend to be the same, not specifically august, but as soon as summer feels like it is over, the last holiday/weather/BBQ/trip etc. then I get a bit of a buzz thinking that the next huge thing is Christmas.

It is only temporary for me though, because Autumn comes and there are other things on.. until after halloween, when it comes back full force.

It's SEPTEMBER!!! I can now allow myself to think about the C word 😝I was starting speaking about it and organising it too early and realised it kind of took the magic out of it from the kids, they were almost over it by the time December actually came so now I promise myself I won't mention it at home until after Halloween. I get on with a lot of organising behind the scenes though so MN is great to have people to chat to.

Years ago when my DC were little (preschool age) we'd go away in September for my parents wedding anniversary and a get together with family .
Usually York which is gorgeous at any time but especially nice in early autumn.
Warm enough to not need a coat, just a cardigan.
Some shops like Christmas Angels ( I think it's closed now) and buying Christmas things from Lakeland limited . Getting their Christmas brochure through the post was a September highlight.

DC are adults now . I still like Lakeland at Christmas but of course it's online .
I'm going to look out for the geese flying in formation, they are noisy and like to everyone to hear them 😄

I’m ready to join. Would usually start thinking about Christmas in August but this one was too busy.

I’ve picked up a few presents already and found some I forgot I had so I’ve officially started.

@notapizzaeater not much help for you now but after Christmas, if you can you should buy a few rolls of wrapping paper and some cards on sale and stash them away so you can wrap as you go no matter how early you start.
But beware, bargain wrapping paper can be a bit addictive - I’ve got loads in the attic because I keep forgetting I’ve got some or I see some that’s just gorgeous and can’t help myself

The wrapping paper, tags and gift bags appeared in our local garden centre on Saturday morning.

I meant to put in the post - you should buy a few rolls of wrapping paper in the sales after Christmas. So many shops sell it off for pennies before new year.

This is the first year I haven’t bought it on Boxing Day, won’t be making that error again ! Went in the loft yesterday ‘just in case’ I’d left some there but alas ….. going to try a few shops tomorrow as I’m itching to start !