Whos started buying for christmas.??

pigpen

I have almost finished.. I have got 2 mobiles and a laptop to buy (3 older children not all for 1 lol) I need stocking fillers for the 5 little ones and books for everyone.. then I can do my OH, mother, 2 sisters (1 is almost done1) and OH can do his family. my Niece and GS are both done.

I want it all bought by the end of October so I can wrap in November and do nothing but clean the hovel in December!

princessdreamer

Started I never stop. Boxing day I bought all the gift wrap and cards. Throughout the year I bargain hunt use the grabbit board and such. Then December comes there is only the food left to sort. I love watching people run around like headless chickens in the last week:rotfl:

dibuzz

2 of my kids have September birthdays so I only start after that.
In the past I've bought things throughout the year but ended up with loads for 1 child and having to top up the others' presents to make it fair so October is early enough for me.
I've only got the kids and my mum to buy for anyway, we don't have much family.
I do like to have everything except the food by early December so we can have a wander round the shops and enjoy the atmosphere without having to queue to pay for things.

MERFE

I've normally done quite a bit by now but this year I dont seem to be able to think about it till after the baby birthday but that still gives me a month. I have bought some stocking fillers I saw, hot wheels for a pound etc and DD main present because she'd been asking for it for ages,still is and it was half price so thought best get it then rather than wait.

Oh no I also have a couple of presents for my niece and nephew in the cupboard, I've done more than I thought.

chanie

I've been buying through out the year and its working out really well.

For me, the advantage of this is that I can get bits and pieces when there are offers on, so it works out cheaper. For most people, I make up stockings/hampers and buy bits and pieces - so a couple of pound here and there, which I don't miss.

For example:

Sales
I got belts, socks and sunglasses all for £2-3 each rather than £10-£15.

Newspapers
The Mirror was doing the lego, so collected it and put it away. Last year, they did some childrens books, which I also collected and gave as a present.

Magazines
One magazine cost £2 but gave a £5 Body Shop voucher, so I bought a couple and bought some gifts.

victory

I have youngest has loads of lego so far, all the xmas paper and cards bought in the January sales, loads of spare presents just in case I forget someone from the boots 75% off jan sale, son's gf has make up and nail varnishes from that, just eldest to get, also got 1/2 price tin of quality street and 1/2 price 2 tins of biscuits, I buy as I go from now when they start stacking up the shelves with xmas goodies and all throughout the year.

I always have a theme and this year it is going to be smelly cushions/pot pourrie, smelly coat hanger sachets for ladies and smellies for the men all bought at boots or poundland or car boot sales brand new but much less cost.:D

babymoo

I started a couple of months ago, I always get to end of July, beginning of August and start to panic that I don't have enough time to buy for people.

I have a rather big family, mum, stepdad, dad, stepmum, 3 siblings, 2 of the siblings have OH's and then there is my neice. Thats before starting on grandparents or friends or even thinking about DP's family!! :eek:

I do hampers of some sort every year so start collecting bits and bobs and make them up in november.

This year I am going to make gingerbread men as labels rather than paper ones, so that'll be me very busy on xmas eve!!

I love christmas and the hussle and bustle of it all but I also love knowing that while I can enjoy all that I dont actually need to be running round like a headless chicken.

Ive already got everything for my neice and I have a few bits of jewellery that I won at the beginning of the year which will either go to my sister or SIL. Stepmum and Dad are having a canvas pic of all 4 of us kids done for them and I also won that so most of my xmas is paid for already :T

elfen

I've started with Paypal money from surveys and selling bits, and will continue as and when Amazon vouchers come in and I can use them too

balletshoes

I don't have a lot of Christmas shopping to do, only 3 girls this year really (plus my Mum, but I never know what to get her so that tends to get left until December).

I have bought most of the girls' already (actually started in the Claire's Accessories sales in January lol) - haven't bought my DDs big pressies because she's not sure what she wants yet.

I usually get more focussed and organised about it all once October comes along.

balletshoes

building_with_lego wrote: »

Last year and the year before I had everything bought and wrapped by the October half term; the thing I found was that it's very easy to get too much, as you spot another 'perfect' pressie! I've got a bit of Lego for DS in the Boots sale (thanks, Grabbit) but will be keeping a detailed list so as not to go nuts again

Lists are very necessary - for all the reasons you described. I put ideas together on a list, and then tick them off when I've got them/got something to replace my original idea (with the price I paid too). I keep it at work on my pc so no nosy kids can see it, and I can easily update it.