I'm going to start in January...

mamajustify

I don't know why but I just can't get into the swing as far as xmas shopping goes, i,m usually quite organized and know what i'm going to buy but this year Christmas seems to have come around so fast. After reading posts on here of people making up their own food and beauty hampers and baking some wonderful stuff, I really wish I could turn back the clock a few months, so I am going to start getting little things in January and make up my own hampers next xmas.

*Louise*

Yeah - I am amazed at how organised some people are - I only just started writing my present list tonight (Spurred on by the people on here)

Mind you, I have got a couple of things that I have picked up in advance, but not planned much.

I love the hamper ideas, I'm gonna give it a go next year as well I think.:D

misfire

I always find if you buy stuff in advance - keep a spread sheet of what you have bought and for whom as it is easy to double buy forgetting you have already bought them something 6 months ago!

Plus helps next year as you can see exactly what you bought everyone in the previous year - just realised looking at mine that i have bought my mates husband various deodrant type sets for his christmas for the last few years!! lucky man is getting a tie rack and belt tidy this year!!

Next year i will again begin in january but smaller gifts -easier to store!!

I also buy paper in january - christmas stuff without the words 'christmas' or anything relating to season - the i use it as birthday wrapping got some fab strippey stuff last year for 25p a roll and it has done many birthdays and harvest festival!

Am also going to save my boots points all year next year for xmas (always say i will never do!) will do same with tesco club card vouchers then i can use them to buy deals (probably the magazine subscriptions)

Wish i was arty/crafty enough to make hampers but know mine would be disasters!

Queenie

Buying gifts throughout the year does take a little bit of organisation, especially if you want to take advantage of buying during sale times.

If you are considering misfire's idea of doing your own spreadsheet to keep track then do take a peek at the screenshots of a piece of software called GiftBox - * I am not suggesting you buy it * (although you can download it for a free 14day trial if you wanted to and if determined to have your own full version afterwards, put it down on your own gift wish list ) - I'm suggesting you look at it for ideas on the information you might want to keep regarding the individuals you buy for

For gift basket themes/ideas:-

Homemade Gift Baskets
Quote from website: You will find dozens of suggestions here for every possible holiday, occasion, or special event; with more new information added several times a week.

Easy-To-Make Gifts: (some last minute, not much time ideas)
Quote from website: Nothing captures the spirit of the holidays like a unique gift that's been made with care and love. From fleece hats to family photo books and more, the Christmas gift ideas on this page are sure to inspire and encourage you.

Survival Kits - these are a bit of fun - click on the title of each kit brings up a list of the items to put in; click on the picture above each title and it will bring up a printble label (or design your own )
Quote from website:

Some of these kits are serious, some are silly, all are just plain fun!

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I'm hoping you'll find that there are enough ideas there to spur you on to making up some 'gift baskets' of your own this year and realise that it's not necessarily too late, doesn't *have* to be food hampers per se and nor does it need to be 'expensive' or time consuming

Best of British