Planning for Cxxxxxmas.

mandy47

I grabbed all my cards and gift wrap in the January sales.
Went into asda in the middle of January and managed to get a large frozen turkey for £5, branded sage and onion stuffing for 20p a box, mincemeat for 50p a jar and xmas puddings for 25p.
was really pleased. That's the dinner sorted except the veg and potatoes.
I try to buy gifts throughout the year from sales. Mainly stocking fillers but it all adds up.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

BAH HUMBUG and wash your mouth out with soap on a rope and water.

Older_But_Not_Wiser

I used to leave all my Christmas shopping until December and be a bit 'bah humbug' about people who shopped throughout the year, until the year that I got flu that is, and had to trudge round the shops despite feeling like death :rotfl:

So, I'm always done in terms of gifts by October now and in fact, this year, I've done it all already as I've had more free time than usual. Got all my wrapping paper, cards and decorations too. Like Margot Leadbetter, my Christmas food arrives in a delivery van (albeit not from Harrods!) and I set up the order in November. I love knowing it is all sorted so the only decision I have to make is whether to watch The Polar Express or fish out Elf for its 500th viewing (BTW, it is ALWAYS Elf!)

psso

krustylouise wrote: »

Stupid question {as always with me!} BUT are things like turkey, bacon, sausages ok to buy now and freeze as I thought you had to discard after 3months or so?
I love the idea of buying stuff on offer for the big day and being organised so I hope it's fine

Well, I bought a duck from Ald! and it lay in the bottom of my freezer for well over a year, maybe 18 months, before it was unearthed and cooked.

We're still all alive and kicking.

Sally_A

I have no qualms about using 1yr + meat from the freezer. A decent defrost, and a slower/longer roast than normal.


Used a pot of frozen mascarpone, found in the depths, in a tomatoey chicken meal this week, not even sure if it could or should be frozen...no adverse affects so far.

DebtFree2012

Re presents then - I'm wanting to buy electrical items but worried they won't work and if I buy them now, will the recipient be able to return them come Christmas? Also there may be better offers on approaching the time for things like that do you think?

However I've started shopping for other things - including gift for DS that I know he will love, 2 books for DF on his hobbies (cut price in Ald1) and on pay day will be ordering 2 items that DD/DS have asked for which are on offer at the moment.

Food wise I don't think we will buy until December as DH is a butcher and I am planning on having some time off so will be able to get to the shops early one morning - it's only a stone's throw away - plus saves my freezer space until then.

Mummy+2

Love this! I start planning Christmas earl to spread the cost and workload.

I've already started to pick up gifts in the sale and stash them in the spare wardrobe. I generally start with food by adding a few extras to the weekly shop from the beginning of September.

I like to have most of the stuff done by December 1st so that we can just enjoy the run up from then on. I have 2 little people so it's an exciting time

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Are the overpriced chocolates on two for 1 offer yet, not!

black_cat

I prepare for Christmas in two stages. I buy cards/paper etc in the January sales and then tend to forget about it until the summer holidays. If I'm fortunate enough to go abroad I like to find a Christmas decoration. As soon as September comes round I switch into "excited Christmas mode!"

However, I watch Christmas films and read Christmas books all year round - love 'em :rudolf:

Butterfly_Brain

krustylouise wrote: »

Stupid question {as always with me!} BUT are things like turkey, bacon, sausages ok to buy now and freeze as I thought you had to discard after 3months or so?

I love the idea of buying stuff on offer for the big day and being organised so I hope it's fine

I have done it for years and have never had a problem