has anyone started planning christmas yet ?

Butterfly_Brain

I used to feel really stupid shopping early because Christmas should only last two weeks as far as I am concerned. But when you get Holiday firms advertising on Christmas Day ( used to be Boxing Day) it makes you realise just how much of our hard earned money is trying to be spent for us by overpriced companies who want to screw every last penny out of you.
So I decided to start in January and get as much as I can in the sales, wrapping paper, gift tags are usually the first to be reduced and then on to pressies, I usually buy a cheap thing and then supplement it with something I have made( A lot of people are not grateful for things that are hand made) but heyho tough!
I think that Christmas is to commercial and people have lost sight of it's true meaning.
The added bonus to starting early though, is that you miss the mad rushing about and can start to enjoy the holiday a lot earlier than anybody else.

sarahf191979

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

I used to feel really stupid shopping early because Christmas should only last two weeks as far as I am concerned. But when you get Holiday firms advertising on Christmas Day ( used to be Boxing Day) it makes you realise just how much of our hard earned money is trying to be spent for us by overpriced companies who want to screw every last penny out of you.
So I decided to start in January and get as much as I can in the sales, wrapping paper, gift tags are usually the first to be reduced and then on to pressies, I usually buy a cheap thing and then supplement it with something I have made( A lot of people are not grateful for things that are hand made) but heyho tough!
I think that Christmas is to commercial and people have lost sight of it's true meaning.
The added bonus to starting early though, is that you miss the mad rushing about and can start to enjoy the holiday a lot earlier than anybody else.

I agree so many firms trying to get you to spend money, I see all the adverts at the mo are for toys toys or holidays :rolleyes:maybe something to do with schools being off, my kids are already saying I want that and one of them Mum. I get all my cards, wrap, tags, crafts supplies in january sales and pay pennies for them rather than ££££. I make sure I have loads of stuff in for the kids to do over the holidays to keep them busy and try and get homemade christmas gifts out of the way too. It then leaves december for enjoying christmas and relaxing. Christmas is about spending time with your familiy not about how much money you spend on your family.

Boodle

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

A lot of people are not grateful for things that are hand made) but heyho tough! .

I know what you mean. I think it is sad at how materialistic some people are. This year I plan to knit scarves and also give something bought (at a reasonable price, obviously!) Is funny how some people do seem to prefer the standard gift set than something time and love has gone into, and as if wool or ingredients come free anyway!

pinknfluffy

I stumbled on this thread and it's frightened the life out of me, haven't even thought about Christmas let alone bought anything...that's why December is always such a mad rush. I shall take a leaf out of your books and give it some serious thought and see if I can be a bit more organised.

p.s. I much prefer something homemade that time effort and thought has gone into, anyone can buy a pressie but not everyone is creative enough to make one. Most of my xmas tree decorations are homemade, either by the kids when they were young, or my dd who is very creative, or my dad who is brill at woodwork. I love them they bring tears to my eyes just thinking of them.

Chloepad1

Erm. Does it make me a really unorganised person, but I haven't even begun to plan Christmas yet. I admire you all for being so well organised. I should probably go and make some lists.

julybride

yep! started and am getting bits together for crackers too.... seems like good idea at the moment but i have 24 to do.... i may regret this later lol

slash69

When the snowman brings the snow
Well he just might like to know
He's put a great big smile, on somebody's face
If you jump into your bed
Quickly cover up your head
Don't you lock the doors
You know that sweet Santa Claus in on the way

Well I wish it could be Christmas, every day
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh, I wish it could be Christmas, every day
Let the bells ring out for Christmas

When we're skating in the park
If the snow cloud makes it dark
Then your rosy cheek's gonna light my merry way
Now the frosty paws appear
And they've frozen up my ear
So we'll lie by the fire
'til the sleet simply knocks 'em all away

Well I wish it could be Christmas, every day
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh, I wish it could be Christmas, every day
So let the bells ring out for Christmas

When the snowman brings the snow (when the snowman brings the snow)
Well he just might like to know (well he just might like to know)
He's put a great big smile on somebody's face
So if Santa brings that sleigh (Santa brings that sleigh)
All along the Milky Way (along the Milky Way)
I'll sign my name on the rroftop in the snow
Then he may decide to stay

Well I wish it could be Christmas, every day
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oo-oh, I wish it could be Christmas, every day
So let the bells ring out for Christmas

Okay you lot - take it!

Well, I wish it could be Christmas, every day (Christmas day)
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play (Oh-oh)
Oh, I wish it could be Christmas, every day
Let the bells ring out for Christmas

Why don't you give your love for Christmas?

(when the snowman brings the snow)
(when the snowman brings the snow)
(when the snowman brings the snow)
(when the snowman brings the snow)
(when the snowman brings the snow)
(when the snowman brings the snow)

pretzelnut

Boodle wrote: »

I know what you mean. I think it is sad at how materialistic some people are. This year I plan to knit scarves and also give something bought (at a reasonable price, obviously!) Is funny how some people do seem to prefer the standard gift set than something time and love has gone into, and as if wool or ingredients come free anyway!

My grandad knits scarves and he's like 75 = i get one every year - its 1 gift i really look forward too as he has taken the time to make it plus they are really good and chunky which i like, i cant wait to see what style and colour he has done me now. He knits them as it helps with his arthritus, they also take him a long time to make.

I remember making a card when i was 6 for my nan and grandads 25th wedding anniversary, all we had in the house was some teeny cheapy paints, plain paper and cornflakes.

So i stuck or tried to stick the cornflakes to the card with paint and gave it to them. They still have that card now minus the cornflakes as they fell of not long after i made it and they still tell me its the best card they ever have recieved.

Some handmade things actually cost MORE than shop bought items. We are currently making 3 advent calendars with 24 drawers in them. 1 each for the kids and we could have bought them for £15 each but we wanted to make them so we could keep them and use them again, each one will have cost us about £20 to make plus about 15 hours per calendar in time putting it together.

*Paris*

Eek! It's very early to think about Christmas.....glad to know I'm not the only one though....

I was tidying up the other day, and I found my stash of Christmas cards that I bought in the January sales. I will need to buy wrapping paper for this Christmas.

I have started a very rough list of ideas for different people, if I think of an idea I'll just scribble it down.

After last years ''I'll stick it on the credit card and think about it later'' Christmas dash, I have been saving about £25 a month, so by Christmas is should have about £300 to spend on presents - yeay! Credit card is currently £23.88 in debit, so I'm not doing too badly!

I have been onto the BBC website to get some xmas food gift ideas, I was thinking about making some 'Snowball Truffles' for friends and work people as token gifts. I want to spend most of my money on my family & closest friends this year.

I won't be shopping until November though - I tell everyone not to buy themselves any treats as they don't know what they might be getting for Christmas!

LilacPixie

I have started the shopping already. several things bought for my kids already as well as the grandparents and a few bits for my OH.