I started saving for CHRISTMAS today!!

[Sparkler1]

I'm a bit later than normal.

Went shopping in Tesco this morning and bought some Christmas saving stamps.

Only seven months to go you know!

Well it is May...it'll only be a few weeks until the high street shops will be dressing up some cantankerous old twat as Santa and playing "Now That's What I Call Fucking Irritating Christmas Tunes Including That Dodgy One By Gary Glitter" CD.

i am a really good girl i have been saving since jan i use to have vochers from a hamper company but dont want to get screwed

good idea - will start looking out for pressies as well.

I wanted to save up this year but haven't managed it at all yet.

I will start my xmas (and kids b'days, nov and dec) in the summer sales.

You're too organised for me
I always think about doing this but don't

I have a christmas pud that'll be in date for xmas!! plus some mince pie filling!!!

i'm saving as well, all my avon money goes into a differnt account, hoping for around £500 come xmas

Have started buying birthday and Christmas presents as I see things and am paying for dd's dolls house a bit each month until Christmas. Really want to spread the cost and hate shopping in busy shops pre Christmas.

Thanks. This has reminded me to order a christmas savings tin(Opened only by can opener!). Have been meaning to do it since Jan! Had really hoped to have some saved by now but as usual i haven't.

That's a great idea tortoise. In a way I resent giving this money in advance to the shop for dd's present when I could save and get interest on it but I know I wouldn't save and I'd end up getting stung at Christmas. We don't spend a huge amount at Christmas but with parties etc as well it all adds up even when you are frugal!

Have you just a dd? I have 2 dd's and 2 ds's! It was a huge struggle last year and i really don't want that again!

expensive time for you then tortoise? I have two dd's and that's bad enough. DD2's birthday is in November as well so there's always extra expense then when I could do without it.

I started one last week. I am very lucky and in theory I don't need to but I resent the amount of frippery bits that all of a sudden add up. IYKWIM

today? i started the week after crimbo!
last year!

Tortoise - where do you get the tin.

Tin from here . Cheap too! i bought two. Then if i don't use one this year i have no excuse next year (unless i lose it! before then!)

I've got dd and a ds and while we're not absolutely strapped for cash we're not flush with it either so spreading the cost out really does make a difference.

Sparkler yes very expensive. Being a single Mum on benifits doesn't help!

Northender Yes,It is best to spread out the cost.

I have a monthly standing order to a savings account and save all year round.

Keep it in your own account and don't let the hamper companies get their greasy paws on it!

I always start in January. Decide what my Christmas budget will be, divide that by 12 and put that much money in a good savings account each month.

I do the same for everything - kids' activities, holidays, car expenses etc. It all goes in the same account (so more interest!), and I have a notebook where I just keep a running tally of how much is in each 'pot'.

Sounds very organised!

Have bookmarked your linkm Tortoise, looks great for stocking fillers too.

I have 1 with a nov birthday and then 2 with dec birthdays so I generally start panicking around July LOL.