So...has any of the larger family mums and dads started their christmas shopping?!?!

[Idobelieveinfairies]

I have-1 set of screwdrivers (the sonic DR Who kind) bought before they sell out.

I am going to start early and then enjoy strolls around town listening to the carol singers whilst everyone is rushing around......

..well thats the plan anyhow!...lol

oh lord yes!

have a box under the bed with bits and bobs.

Plan on getting more over the next few months and hopefully there wont be much left to get in december.

Haunting Ebay for the few items i desperately want for the girls, but dont want to pay full price for!!!

My youngest 2 lovveee wonderpets so am looking for them...got a few birthdays to get through before christmas too! the upside to that is that there are more choices with all the christmas toys coming out .

Good luck with yours!

See, its Peppa Pig in this house!!!

Ive also got DH,DD2 and DS birthdays - its all a bit too much!

We wont be having a nig christmas anyway, would much prefer they got a few toys they really liked/wanted rather than a mass of shite that will end up in the bottom of the toy box!

Max spend on each child will be £40!

I have......only got a few bits so far, but as and when I spot something yes, I am buying.

would like to say I am going to be very organised this year and wrap them as I buy them, but alas, I know that will not be the case and I will be frantically doing the last of them on Xmas ever as usual.....

I am going to start when DP get paid next week.

I have been dying to start this thread but was in fear of a general battering for mentioning the 'C' word to soon.

Nope - but I have a jar of mincepie filling left from last year (does that count?)

A wooden xylophone for ds3 from Habitat.

A credit note with B&Q for £50 - for xmas decs/lights etc. Not really xmas shopping - just planning ahead!

Got ELC catalogue to look through

Do 3 kids count as a large family - get the feeling in 12 years - they will be very large and will have to start shopping in July!

starting this week funnily enough- 2 items a week for dh (he's Santa!) and one for me (for family, i have minimal income, carers allowance)

should at least help I hope

My ds2 said he knew I bought all the presents last year and delivered them - ds1 much more cunning and disagreed and said should draft a letter to santa asap!

NOt big fam but baby due mid nov so tried to do as much as poss - Started in the sales this summer !!!. Bought wrapping paper in Ikea had gold and silver so using that + red / green ribbon. Making Xmas cake early Nov not having a pudding as I am the only one that eats it !
Still have a few bits to do but there will be gift vouchers for anyone I don't get before baby arrives.

Well i have decided this year i do not want to "shop till i drop" (and also am skint) so i have told db that i am no longer buying for his dc and to please not to buy for my dc.
Am buying a voucher for my parents. I don't do presents for his side of the family.

Ds1 is 17 now and has a part time job which he earns loads for so may give him a cheque and little bits and bobs. Aftershave/sweets and the like.

Ds2 wanted a new bed,a loft high sleeper but we cannot now afford it so will be paying for x-box live subscription for him plus some bits and bobs.

The dd's will get a largish gift between the two of them and stocking fillers.

We are going out for xmas dinner this year so that will be dh's gift to me and vice versa.

My shopping budget for xmas is tiny compared to normal. Last year ds1 got a ps3 bundle and clothes which cost around £400/£500. My whole xmas has to be paid for out of £600 this year.

Tis strangely liberating.

Will start end of October to answer the OP when i get money out of the bank

I got loads of stuff in the sale last year and its stuffed in the loft (and cant remember what I got now).

not done anything else yet

oh and if you contact playmobil direct and ask about what damaged stock there is for sale (usually the boxes are a bit squashed) you can get an absolute bargain. Ive had a few sets and ring everyother mth or so to see if they've got anything.

has anyone got a link to the set of sonic screw drivers?

They are on the woollies website-sorry don't know how to do links.

Octo-is that the crimbo elc catalogue or the regular one?

My children love the christmas woollies catalogue.....we have to get many, so many arguements otherwise....-sorry woollies you'd make a bomb if you charged .

Connie-the website you mentioned, i found that just before when searching for wonderpets toys. It's not just all lego stuff is it? Found a fly boat but not sure if it is lego or not.

Not me. I don't start until the end of November,usually.

I started off well in teh summer and bought my oldest daughter a betty boop dressing gown and a nee belly bar trhen it stopped
I am skint at the moment so I am cutting right back.the youngest two love dressing up and dancing so I will buy the new dance stuff they will probably need by then for xmas and a nice dressing up costume, have seen a few just can' make my mind up!.My middle daughter has a load of dvds she has hardly watched and doesn't want , they all look brand new so they are getting recylced for my youngest two, dos that sound bad?They won't know any difference.I am now looking for all the spcial offers!

started mine back in the summer sales.

Have bought a tennis raquet. and a homer simpson cuddly toy!!

I have 3kids and 3 boxes full on top of my wardrobe. Its useful when they're invited to parties and Im skint - just pick something out of the boxes for a pressie!!
Started back in June but still have loads to get yet

went to Ikea the other day and almost keeled over in delight when I saw their Christmas stuff. Bought 4 knitted stockings and a tea set.

Did pick up a Christmas tree, but put it back. Even for me, it was a step too far. In September.

im with you tabby cat our bedroom looks akin to a warehouse by the end of november usually! Found out only yesterday actually that there were a few prezzies that i bought last year in a sale but decided that the child it was bought for was a little young - so will save a few pennies this year (thank god i remembered before i clicked 'buynow'!!!)

Yes......
. I have a box with xmas food in
. My Christmas cards and wrapping paper
. All the bits for the DC's stockings
. Gifts for all the teachers and helpers
and about 5 prezzies.

I am going to have a very disorganized year,
plan to go tmas shopping in mid november,
Going to be very busy shopping for the 4 but the expense isn't an issue it's watching there faces light up on Christmas morning I love it.