Shopping for Christmas already

Indypop

I have a lot of Dec/Jan birthdays in my family as well as Christmas so I am trying to get ahead of the game while there are still several pay packets to budget over.

Am I the only one gift shopping at the moment?

I have bought M&S vouchers off Ebay for my mum and MIL (saving £20 off cover price)

I have bought a few gift sets that were in a local chemists sale recently for fillers and a lovely Molten Brown one from the charity shop that would RRP at £25 which I got for £5.

Any tips anyone?

Things on my list to get are a new dressing gowns for my SD and her D (my OH) - I am a practical gift buyer rather than buying nice but useless stuff - IYKWIM. Slippers/socks/nighties etc often feature in my pressies.

amyloofoo

I've started too as I have soooo many birthdays, etc in that November - February window so it all gets a bit much. Mostly I'm saving / stashing vouchers rather than actually buying anything yet, but I'm determined to be organised this year!

lazysheep

Check out the Special Occasions board - people on there have been buying for this Christmas and beyond since last Boxing Day or even earlier! They're also full of very useful ideas and tips whatever your budget and can always come up with loads of ideas when you get stuck!

ciderwithrosie_2

I guess if you have lots of people to buy for then you have to start early. I only buy for my 3 boys (who are young men now really so don't get as much as they used to), husband, both sets of parents and a secret santa present for work. We all decided years ago not to exchange presents with siblings/nephews/nieces, it just gets daft otherwise - plus my nieces got so much stuff from SIL's side of the family, it was really hard to find something that hadn't already been given by somebody else. The In laws are easy, I just buy them some sort of voucher - gardening/theatre/bookshop and their favourite sweets.

Indypop

Thanks Lazysheep - I didnt think that christmas is a special occassion - just one that comes round every year LOL.
It is nice to know that I am not the only one trying to stay ahead of the game x

meer53

I bought a Xmas gift today. I'm feeling quite pleased with myself !

Pollycat

Indypop wrote: »

Am I the only one gift shopping at the moment?

I shop all the time for Christmas & birthdays, I keep a constant eye out for anything I think will be appreciated.

I look in BHS at sales time for reduced jewellery and have bought my Mum a few long necklaces - they have to fit over her head as she can't do up the clasps.

I look in M&S sales too as well as Avon brochures.

I bought my sister a lovely full-length fluffy dressing gown from M&S 'Manager's Special' rail - it cost me £5 instead of £25.
She loves it.

To keep track of what I've bought for whom, I keep an Excel spreadsheet.

PatternStar

Pollycat wrote: »

I shop all the time for Christmas & birthdays, I keep a constant eye out for anything I think will be appreciated.

I look in BHS at sales time for reduced jewellery and have bought my Mum a few long necklaces - they have to fit over her head as she can't do up the clasps.

I look in M&S sales too as well as Avon brochures.

I bought my sister a lovely full-length fluffy dressing gown from M&S 'Manager's Special' rail - it cost me £5 instead of £25.
She loves it.

To keep track of what I've bought for whom, I keep an Excel spreadsheet.

I do this too but on Word!! : )

I'm always on the look out for bargains for the present cupboard, I have a big family!

luxor4t

You are not alone. Some people started back in the post-Xmas 2011 sales

This thread has lots of money saving ideas https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4031603

and this thread is very jolly for a 'getting excited already' natter:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3935899

Ho-ho-ho :xmassmile

dizziblonde

Got a tax rebate through the other day so bought the bulk load of presents for my little girl.

kingfisherblue

I also buy for Christmas and birthdays throughout the year. Today I bought a set of three nesting tool boxes for my son - he's mad about woodwork and DIY, although still learning! £9.99 from Maplins. Yesterday I bought England car flags and mini England kits (that have a sucker to attach to a window) for 8p each from Morrisons - stocking fillers for both my sons.

In July I bought masses of things for 10p from Wilkinsons, including the presents for my Rainbows and Brownies units

The Special Occasions board is really good, and you can get so many ideas from other people. Last year, there was a spell where there was a specific Christmas board, but I don't know how long before Christmas it started.