has anyone started planning christmas yet ?

sethsgran

Thanks everyone you have spurred me on to do a bit more, sooner rather than later. In the past I have always been organised but due to health probs during the last few yrs I have slowed down. Now need to get organised so thanks for the push

mirrorimage0

after recieving a parcel in the post yesterday from hawkins bazaar i have now finished all the kids in my family and the last bit of my boys stockings.

now to finish of the adults but we only do token presents so shouldnt take too long to get them sorted.

sarahf191979

Yep started and have finished most of it, aprat form my kids and OH, got all my wrapping paper and cards in january and some new decorations in the sales. Now I'm trying to get organised and make some homemade gifts with the kids over the holidays for teachers, grandparents etc.

cyclingyorkie

done my sis, broinlaw and his 2 girls. Done bits for my mum and loads for my girls. will start for hubby in Sep - he will need to give me a list. ds will only want money/clothes so I'm stashing some money away - in little amounts that I won't miss.

gazelle8760

The Gazelle admires those that can be organized, but it seems Christmas seems to be getting earlier and earlier these days, if I was to think about it now, then I think I would like to have Christmas Dinner out this time, and avoid the messing around in the kitchen, and let someone else do the tidying up. I left it too late last year to book any place to eat, and hoped for a cancellation, which did not happen, so is it too early to book any place now?
As for presents, not even thought about it yet, tend to wait until November time, and then wonder what to buy people, The Gazelle is pretty much clued up what people like, so tends not to get it wrong, but I prefer to have the money, that way I can buy what I want, when I want it, that way no one gets it wrong, haha.

bravobeastie

gazelle8760 wrote: »

if I was to think about it now, then I think I would like to have Christmas Dinner out this time, so is it too early to book any place now?

Not at all, would you believe I've actually seen a couple of pubs with banners up saying

'Christmas Bookings Now Being Taken'

Crikey and I thought we were organized?

sarahf191979

gazelle8760 wrote: »

The Gazelle admires those that can be organized, but it seems Christmas seems to be getting earlier and earlier these days, if I was to think about it now, then I think I would like to have Christmas Dinner out this time, and avoid the messing around in the kitchen, and let someone else do the tidying up. I left it too late last year to book any place to eat, and hoped for a cancellation, which did not happen, so is it too early to book any place now?
As for presents, not even thought about it yet, tend to wait until November time, and then wonder what to buy people, The Gazelle is pretty much clued up what people like, so tends not to get it wrong, but I prefer to have the money, that way I can buy what I want, when I want it, that way no one gets it wrong, haha.

If you have somewhere in mind for going out to christmas lucnh, it might be worth a phone call now and seeing if they have bookings availible or a provisional list, I know some places book up really quickly. Worth a try though, then if you get booked its one less thing to worry about nearer the time.

Christmas seems to get earlier every year, with cards and decorations coming out in september in some places, I love to be organised so try and get as much done before the summer hols, then I can sit back and enjoy them so Im not thinking about how long it is til christmas through them.

nikflo

yep, i started the other week, got dh a cardigan from the tesco sale, and yesterday in the m&s sale i got dd2 a pair of p-j's and a dressing grown, plus i got dd1 teachers presents got them both a glass candle holder with candle also from m&s. i haven't even met the teacher yet but i'm sure candles will be fine!!!
i'll start putting away food (like crisps and peanuts and bits) after the school holiday's, i will buy a few bogof and hide the extra one!

gazelle8760

sarahf191979 wrote: »

If you have somewhere in mind for going out to christmas lucnh, it might be worth a phone call now and seeing if they have bookings availible or a provisional list, I know some places book up really quickly. Worth a try though, then if you get booked its one less thing to worry about nearer the time.

Christmas seems to get earlier every year, with cards and decorations coming out in september in some places, I love to be organised so try and get as much done before the summer hols, then I can sit back and enjoy them so Im not thinking about how long it is til christmas through them.

I did have some place in mind yes, it was the hotel where I go to the Gym, they did a lovely Christmas Menu last year, and as always, I had left it too late, so could just dream at it, Boxing Day was cheaper than the Christmas Lunch, but that was full also. I will go see Reception this evening, and see if it is OK to put a reservation in, they may ask for a small deposit, but at least that would guarantee some places, and the hotel seems to be booked up with guests at that time.
QVC The Shopping Channel seems to be having their Christmas in July day today, they have it every year, so it is a good way to get those small nick-nacks for the tree, or even out in the garden, like lights or reindeers etc, I guess come the end of the Summer Hols, places like Debenhams will be the first to get their Christmas Stuff out, guess that is end of September time when that usually happens, It's not that I dislike Christmas, I guess it's just I dislike the time of the year it is, hate cold winter dark nites, I guess having lived, and having family in South Africa, you get spoilt having the sun out on Christmas Day, so it does not feel like a Christmas Day feels like here, if that makes sense!!:A

Abbafan1972

Well my card and present list gets smaller every year. I am only buying for my 2 DD's and hubby. Am not on very good terms with my parents and not on speaking terms with the in-laws. So not wasting money on any of them. Not sending cards in the post either to any family, never see any of them and they couldn't really give a s**t about us. In the 13 years we've lived here, none of them have ever come to visit or seen the kids.

Will be spending Xmas by ourselves with the kids, best way, saves on the all the arguments, so we won't be spending Xmas with any family this year.