Anyone Else nearly Finished their Xmas 2008 shopping. Are we Mad!!!

mary43

I'm hoarding loads of bits and pieces for gift baskets in our spare room and think I've got a fair bit for Christmas..........I'd have to have a proper 'stock check' to find out.............lol

SugarSpun

Mine's almost done. All birthday gifts are bought, many of them wrapped as well.

The only Christmas gifts I have left to buy are for my dad (he's getting perishable things - beer and sausages - so I'll buy those on my way to the airport in December), my partner (I actually have half his stuff already) and my grandmother, whose gift I always save till late to see if I can be inspired.

I don't feel like I'm missing out at all. I can walk around the Weinachtenmarkt (sp?) and enjoy the ambience and the gluhwein without the pressure to actually buy things. And having bought things so early I've saved a lot of money so if I see something I really want to buy then I can do it without breaking the bank.

mary43

My aim is to get the whole lot done, including making the cards, by the end of August then I don't have to worry about the expense as Christmas starts to creep up - I can sit back and enjoy watching other people shopping instead while I relax with a cup of coffee

Discount-Diva_3

Idiophreak wrote: »

Just wondering, all of you that've bought so far ahead...don't you feel like you're "missing out" a bit on part of Christmas? Personally I quite enjoy running around madly in a crammed city, giant list of stuff to buy in one hand, dozens of carrier bags in the other...It gets you into the "festive spirit"..(or at least drives you to drink, which is more or less the same thing )

Oh no! I am looking forward to a stress free Christmas, I hate the pressure of last minute buying and then I find I do not put a lot of thought into my gifts. This year I can still wander round town to feel the atmosphere but without the panic and I can sit back in Starbucks and watch people struggling with their bags. I normally dread Christmas but this year I think I will be ok:T

earthmother

No - I definitely don't feel as if I'm missing out by doing everything early - in fact quite the opposite - if I left it all to the last minute then I'd miss out - on the kids nativities, carole services and christmas fayres, having time to bake and craft with them to make 'extra' gifts for grandparents etc, and generally relaxing and having some fun with the family.

Plus, as others have already mentioned, getting it all early means I save a pretty substantial wedge of money too - giving us the cash to enjoy the summer holidays too.

Davgirl1

I much prefer being organised. I have done all my birthday and christmas presents apart from DS and DD - they change their mind like the weather so it is better to wait.
With all the money I've saved buying in the sales we are spending Xmas 2008 in Florida. Can't wait.

elljay

Goodness, this is one of the scariest threads on MSE!!!

How do you know what to get everyone? For example kids always want the latest horrible plastic pink big-boobed (Barbie) or noseless (Bratz) doll or whatever is on telly or films, and those maybe haven't even been filmed yet and won't start appearing in ads etc till August. How do you find out what people want? You can't really go round asking what they might want for Xmas when it's only January. I suppose it would work if it's someone like my mum but otherwise, especially kids.............

I also think Xmas starts too early anyway as it is, so starting in Jan is extraordinary! I refuse to think about it until Dec on principle. It's only one day out of 365 after all.

Also, where on earth do you store it all?

Liz

savvy

LMAO I think they've anwered most of your questions already elljay

elljay wrote: »

I also think Xmas starts too early anyway as it is, so starting in Jan is extraordinary! I refuse to think about it until Dec on principle. It's only one day out of 365 after all.

As for this one, maybe these guys view it as tying up the previous Christmas, using up surplus things so that they don't overspend the following year when they don't have to

I think it's brilliant and shows amazing resolve, I don't think I could do 'specific' presents that way as I change my mind now and then, I've done 'general' ones that suit many people before though. And let's face it, if you are doing hampers, it IS easier to pick up/collect freebies as you go through the year, as opposed to leaving to the last minute and paying more than needs be

bobsa1

I've got to say that I find getting stuff early makes me feel much calmer about the whole xmas thing.

I leave the big things for the kids until much nearer xmas but things for other people can be bought well in advance.

I like knowing that I don't have to come up with a load of money in November and December and I save for the big xmas food shop all year.

I use quidco throughout the year and then my quidco earnings pay for the big items and nights out etc so if I can get my xmas shopping done this early I can then turn my thoughts to summer holidays and days out come April.

I do think my organising is getting slightly out of hand as I've bought most of DD's school uniform and she doesn't even start until January 2009 !!!

I've also bought blazers for DD's 1 & 2 (aged 11 & 13) in different sizes that will fit them until they leave school at 18.!

Storage is a problem, but then that's what the loft is for.

elljay

I disagree, Xmas is over and done with and I'm getting on with Spring now. It's horses for courses though obviously, knowing me I'd buy all this stuff during the year, store it somewhere safely then come December I'd completely forget I've got it and go and buy more stuff. I disagree too that there aren't good deals and bargains in Dec as at all other times of year and I buy for the person involved, not 'general' for anyone.

Its gale force beautiful sunny day outside, (tho the crocuses and daffs are being flattened!) - no way can I think about Xmas on a gorgeous day like this!! Planning is over-rated, bring back spontaneity!
Liz