Getting ready for Christmas. Has anyone started yet?

[shinyshoes]

Thanks to Parachutes Has anyone started getting things ready or thinking about it yet??

I have got my christmas chocolates in already. Roses and Quality Streets. I got them in Somerfield when they were half price. I'm not a lover of chocolate so I know they'll be safe until christmas. I have eaten the Wine gums though

The DSi console is being bought at the end of the month for DS1 but i've been picking things up like little toiletries ready to make my hampers.

Yes but there's early as in late November rather than December 23rd, and then there's early as in JULY which is clearly insane!!!

Saving for Christmas from July is a great idea, but shopping and planning for it?!?!?!?!!?

I give my Mum £50 a month that she gives back to me in October, by then I have normally worked out who is getting what and do a mass order or hot the shops!

We have decided we are getting dd1 a nice wooden lidt up desk and chair as main present and have no idea for dd2 (and her birthday is 5th Jan??) got soem stocking bits in the sale this year so they are half done

I do have a budget spreadsheet but its the same as last years and just helps me keep on track

Only in Britain!!! (Or maybe also in the States?)

Is this the place to admit that my Christmas tree was still up and decorated until DS returned from university a couple of weeks ago and took it all down?

In my (somewhat feeble) defence I did move it out of the sitting room some time ago, but I dumped it in the old playroom, which we don't go in much as it was full of stuff from MIL's old house which DH & I didn't have time or willpower to sort - DS has taken it in hand with his usual efficiency & cleared the lot.

Went in BHS yesterday and the had lots of xmas things reduced to 50p. Got some wrapping paper, nice serving plates, and star confetti.

Already have some wrapping paper and all my cards from Jan sales, plus a few presents too!

The DSi for my DS1 is being bought tomorrow. It would have been bought today but i'm skiving off sick from work and can't be seen out

Interesting thread. Some people get very involved, considering it is still only August, however, I have to say that yes, in a basic way, I have started getting ready for Christmas. I buy cheap wrap, cards and bog-standard adult gifts (toiletries sets etc.) in the January sales, and pick up small toys when they are reduced/cheap. I put them all in a box (well, actually three now) so that throughout the year for birthdays as well as Christmas I know I have presents ready in the house.

For example, Argos have an inflatable jousting kit on offer at the moment, which at £4.69 I think is reasonable given it will probably burst in play before long, but I wouldn?t pay £14.69 for it. It?s gone in the pressie box!

I also keep an eye on ebay, as prices can be really good there. And when supermarkets reduce their clothes cheap (like 25% off at Sainsbury?s the other week) I pick up baby clothes then as there is always someone who has a baby and also children?s clothes in larger sizes than my friend?s children currently are so that come their next birthday I can give them age appropriate clothes. Does that make any sense?

And shinyshoes I really like the gold gift theme, but will probably not do anything about it until November at the earliest.