xmas 2011

hollysmum22

sorry if this has already been posted but who else is already starting their christmas shopping

pavlovs_dog

I have! Only bought two stocking fillers on the present front, but stocked up on gift wrap, tags and cards in the post xmas sales to help lesson the financial blow

londonirish_3

I have, I will be finished by end of july, apart from a few "nearer the time faddy things" for my daughter. I am self employed so never really know whteher my wage is safe iykwim.
I put away £100 for xmas food for the three of us. I dont buy expensive, I look through argos sales, online etc. christmas used to worry me to the point of physical sickness!! all because of money, now I buy small gifts concentrate on having a nice family day. the only thing i am not frugal on is the tree, got to be real, I think the plastic ones are ugly, and dont smell nice lol.

I have seen lots of charity shops selling really cheap packs of christmas cards etc. x

londonirish_3

I have also started comping, so hoping for a win to go towards christmas....... the whiskey I won got drank, there was no chance of squirreling that away lmao

candie_gill

i have!

I have all my cards, gift wrap and bows from the sales
all my festive candles
all my sons presents barring his console
things for our hampers
new decorations
£40 put on the xmas shopping card with asda (aiming at £200 for food)

All my buys have been from sales and plenty of bargains throughout the year

LJM

me me me lol i always start far to early,have wrap making cards have some gifts put away also and a list of gifts left to get i love to be organised

Savvybunny2009

Yep, organised and basically sorted. DD being 2 it's easy to buy for her (not being influenced by adverts or friends wishlists lol) so we picked up LOADS in the new year sale at Boots. Used Boots points saved during the year to pay for it all and had plenty left over. Our families are basically sorted but have enough vouchers to cover everything else so far I think. We have near enough covered the food cost already (aiming for an M&S Christmas this year ) and have the drinks sorted.

It's a huge weight off our minds to know we are going to have an amazing Christmas and can just enjoy December and cosy up as a family when everyone else is doing the mad dash to the shops! I used to be a Christmas Eve shopper before DD and hubby, didn't get much for the money either. To be honest pre MSE days I would be very stressed and several hundred pounds lighter.

A good tip is to check out the Thrifty Gifty threads on the special occasions boards, Thrifty Gifty Money Making for Christmas is run by a lovely lady Elysia, and we all help each other out and spur each other on to make the money for Christmas and the sister thread, Thrifty Gifty for Christmas and All Occasions run by the fabulous Mum2one, helps us make the most of our money with grabbits, special offers and and great homemade ideas!

interlcore

I have. I buy anytime of the year. If I see something suitable at a good price, I get! Goes for birthdays as well. Wrapping paper, tags, cards etc. are always bought in the sale. For Christmas, I have two people done (very easy to buy for) and lots of things for other family members.

gemini12

I start in the January sales for friends presents. Close family is covered by survey vouchers except dd & sil who have money from paypal account gained by e bay sales. I would add I have a very small family and only give to certain friends.

hollysmum22

i have only got a few but i have also got some bits for dd birthday in november i am doing a christmas dinner at home this year so also have that to prepare for x

LJM

I like to get organised early as I too have my Lo b day on the 20th December plus other family b days too I hate getting rushed and flustered so for me it pays for me to be organised