Does it take the magic away?????

ELLA

Ive already staryed buying for 2008 and have decided to go one step further and wrap it up as I buy it.

Ive made a word document of all people Ive bought/buying for and listed next to there name what I have bought if that makes sense.

Im going to wrap it and label it as I go, then put it into the loft.

Do you think that by doing this that it kind of takes away the magic of xmas and actually buying presents and wrapping them nearer the time.

Im sure I will have plenty to do next year and even more so with two children but I just feel I should be organised.

rosekitten

no your just organised

especially when my two were little I used to
buy stuff and put it away throughout the year
I had a little book in my handbag where I wrote down
each item how much I paid how much the shop price
should have been and how much I had saved on each
item.I got a great sense of satisfaction looking at this
little book.I used to buy their main present nearer the time
to ensure I got the right thing as kids want one thing
one minute and another the next.But we saved loads in
terms of actual cost and were a lot less frazzled nearer the time.

Spendless

The wrapping early wouldn't take away the magic for me cos I find it a chore, but I do find that often (not always!) I see something far more appropriate/useful/suitable for the person nearer the time. Depends what you're buying really and echoing the last poster who for. Last summer my 2 were into Dora and Sponge Bob and I found loads of different things during our summer hols in Canada. Brought them back. Xmas day ds asked me why Santa hadn't known he'd gone off Sponge Bob. :rolleyes:

angeleyes

can I just ask......???

all for money saving etc... but how do you know what people will want in 12 months time, somtimes people have lists .... personally i like to think what the person is in to and that changes.. so I although would like to be sorted would hate to get the wrong thing and think oh it will do

how do you all get round this?????????????

sophiesmum_2

Hi Ella
This year I had a major op at the end of November so I had to get organised early as I knew i wouldn't be up to it once I came home. I had all the shopping done, presssies, cards, food prepared and in freezer - just about everything.
It has been one of my best christmas's this year because I was able to forget all the frantic stuff and enjoy the "magical" bits that I often don't have time for. Stuff like kids carol services, making gingerbread and mince pies, making chocolate slabs, home made preserves etc and being able to sit and spend time with family instead of rushing round the shops or hiding in the bedroom wrapping pressies.
Being organised this year gave me the magic back again, and I will definately be doing it again this year. :j :j :j

perfectlypoor

I think its a good idea,at the end of the day you always have loads to do for christmas I personally always really look forward to wrapping the presents and have co ordinated tags,wrap and ribbion but after the 5th present really start to lose interest,start rushing and wish I had wrapped some up sooner. You will be grateful next december.

sophiesmum_2

angeleyes wrote: »

can I just ask......???

all for money saving etc... but how do you know what people will want in 12 months time, somtimes people have lists .... personally i like to think what the person is in to and that changes.. so I although would like to be sorted would hate to get the wrong thing and think oh it will do

how do you all get round this?????????????

I suppose it depends on the people you are buying for. I only buy for close family and friends. None of us have lists and we all know each other well enough to gauge what will be appreciated by the others. If I was buying something for a particulaar interest of a friend , I would only buy for something they had been interested in several years eg a gardening hamper for my mum, I wouldn't buy them something for a passing fad, which may well pass by xmas.

I think you have more choice of gifts through the year instead of the bog standard gift sets that are in every shop before xmas, and you can absorb the cost of xmas better too over the year.

Spendless

angeleyes wrote: »

can I just ask......???

all for money saving etc... but how do you know what people will want in 12 months time, somtimes people have lists .... personally i like to think what the person is in to and that changes.. so I although would like to be sorted would hate to get the wrong thing and think oh it will do

how do you all get round this?????????????

Well I don't buy it all in January I buy thru-out the year and certain things like toiletry sets I know the people who will like them and be ready for another one in a years time, and my elderly nans don't change what they are into. Parents might change a little bit what they like but not much, ditto siblings. I wouldn't buy much for the children in my family though cos they do change what they are into especially my son.

jamtart6

i thought that when id wrapped most of my things by November. December came and went with a 2 week chest infection and a lovely sickness bug right up to xmas eve.. i was SOOOOOOOOO happy that I was organised this year

blitz

I buy throughout the yr, the only problem ive got is because weve more or less finished buying by sept/oct, the rest of the family think were well off. Come xmas they turn round & say "Suppose youve done all yours, alright for some, dont know how were going to do manage were skint". Keep telling them its only because i buy throughout the yr, & doing a few surveys online to get vouchers,getting bargains etc, but that seems to fall on deaf ears. :rolleyes:
After saving a few £s, weve decided to try & buy a cheap touring caravan, but the inlaws keep coming up with so & so selling their static its ONLY £10000:eek: . Think theyre hoping for some cheap holidays, they can hope all they like dont think they will be getting one,not off us anyway:rotfl:

mary43

If I wasn't doing baskets this year I'd wrap mine up.............I normally buy things throughout the year anyway and chuck them all in a blanket box but its such a pain then sorted them all out.

I'm making a list as I get stuff and who its for otherwise I'll get confused and baby grandson will get MIL's stuff and she might get his..............lol