buffie Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Well I am going to start my Christmas shopping today. It's a lengthy process for me as this is more observation than purchase (ok I need work clothes and makeup ) I will see what's around and price it and pick a few bits for pressies but also make a note and look on line. I love Christmas so like it to be a big build up, anyone who's been here a year knows we have the tree up first weekend of december, I play carols from mid November. It's a lovely time for our family. I'm sure some of you will think I'm crazy to start shopping now but shall we run a poll? Bit of fun! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I love the run up to Christmas . We start buying things from now onwards as we see them and stash them all under our bed or in the garage. The cooking is the best part for me and I make my Christmas pudding and Mincemeat on Stir Up Sunday and that's when the first carols go on the CD player. The decorations will never go up until the boys are on school holidays though but they always have a homemade advent calendar which I made years and years ago from green felt which has pockets for each day to put little chocolates in. I've made nearly all my Christmas cards already but have run out of steam for the last 20! I know what design I'm going to do but have lost the enthusiasm to do them ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted October 6, 2006 Author Share Posted October 6, 2006 I'm making cards I just need a round cutter, hobby craft? Or buy online? BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 A round cutter? Hmmmm, not sure Buffie. We've got a really good stationery chain called Colemans. Have you got one there? They have a crafting section with punches etc so it might be worth a go if there's one down there. If not, I'd go for the online option . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I love Christmas shopping - just love it So I get my Christmas head on when the children go back to school in September. By October I usually have my cards & wrapping sorted out, as well as a nice calendar for next year I already have a nice pile of pressies,& 2 fat bags of stocking fillers which I buy when I see. I also bought some new LED tiny white lights for the tree this week at John Lewis. Buffie - my big Tesco has a decent craft section & I think I saw a round cutter in there.Maybe your one will have them too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted October 6, 2006 Author Share Posted October 6, 2006 I won't go into Tesco anymore but thanks for the suggestion Sarah. We have a craft shop in Olney and I am about to go there and get organic bits, pay in cheques and walk daisie so worth a try. It's a punch then, can you tell I'm new to all this I'm so pleased I'm not the only one getting in the mood, BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Christmas I really don't go with the whole thing I like my family to know I care year round and can't be bothered with it I will probably have to go into work anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Errrm, I'm not sure how to answer this. Like all of you I'm secretly planning Christmas from quite early on.... I have to, my budget is inevitably limited, and I simply have to spread the cost or buy things reduced in the January or summer sales, and I'd be lying if I tried to say otherwise. But officially I won't bear mention of the C word until after son's birthday at the end of November. I'm quite possibly a bit of a "bah, humbug", but I enjoy Christmas, it's family and friends time, time to relax with important people, eat too much, drink too much, and to have a few days away from work.... although both hubby and I have worked plenty of Christmases in the past. What I really, really dislike is Christmas seeping into the Autumn and even the summer, the blatant commercialism, and lets see how much money we can spend this year. We go hell for leather to have a great time, and I work hard planning, cooking, shopping and wrapping to make it a great time..... and it lasts for absolutely no more than 2 weeks in my house. That's generally defined by the school holidays. No trees until the weekend after they've broken up (that's an improvement.... we used to go to the Church Crib Service on Christmas Eve afternoon, then all come home and put the tree up together after that..... as a child I went to bed on Christmas Eve in a very ordinary house, and Father Christmas not only brought the presents, but also a fully decorated tree and house ). Sorry if I'm a spoil sport.... but for me Christmas is mid- December. No earlier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I'm always on the lookout for Christmas pressies any time of year - I'd much rather buy someone something I know they will like and keep it for Christmas instead of doing the mad last minute panic buying. ............except why is it I can NEVER find anything for my DAD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted October 6, 2006 Author Share Posted October 6, 2006 I don't know if I should say this but I think it's safe to...Some friends buy us jokey, novelty type gifts. Obviously costly but I wonder why? I think it's better to buy something someone would like and keep or really I woundn't mind if they didn't bother or donated. Will be donating to charity instead of buying for brother and wife. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I start buying little bits for Christmas as soon as Boots reduce their stuff to a quarter of the original price, so very early January. From then on I pick up bits and pieces all year round and fill a small blanket box with my finds. I am lucky to have a good market in the city centre and lots of cheap shops in the suburbs which I visit. I also find eBay useful at this time of year for unusual gifts, and charity shops produce a good find occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 there's not an option on the poll for starting in July when I started buying a few little things as I can't stand a big rush (or the expense) just up to Christmas, plus it takes me ages to wrap everything as it has to be "just so" This year our presents will be wrapped in completely compostable materials, brown paper and twine so no-one should throw it in the bin, only into the compost! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I love that look, Andrew! Nice and simple. I love wrapping presents but we used to get through so much paper and I couldn't stand the waste so we now put all the presents in a pillow case for each person and they reach in and pull out each present like a lucky dip! No waste at all afterwards and there's a feeling of anticipation as you reach in and grab a prezzie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Nice ideas I will do the brown paper & raffia thing this year - even if I am secure in the knowledge that the in-laws will just chuck it in the bin anyhow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Keep chip chipping away Sarah. We might get through to people eventually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted October 6, 2006 Author Share Posted October 6, 2006 Yes I am doing brown paper and raffia too , got to get the paper today. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I love Christmas too , but not the commercialism and it usually doesn't start untill the children break up. I love all the secrecy and hiding things away, homemade cards and decorations, and love wrapping pressies infact a friend hates it so I baby sat for her and wrapped all her presents while I was there karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I'm with you there, Karen. It's all part of the fun, isn't it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I'm with you there, Karen. It's all part of the fun, isn't it! Definately karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 I'm really feeling good about this: I'm gloating like mad: Just bought nearly all of my Christmas presents....online, in one place! Did this last year too, and I just cannot stop beaming about it.... no wrapping, no waste, no delivering and something really useful.... Here's the present my brothers will be getting this year: http://www.greatgifts.org/GiftSelection/productdetail.aspx?GiftID=455 All aunts and uncles are getting other stuff from this catalogue too, and Jonnie and I will be buying eachother something from here too. |Last year it was a herd of goats.... might be a dairy cow this year..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 What a great idea Annie. Give yourself a big pat on the back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 We wrap all our presents in newspaper and stick little cut-out shapes on them. I will buy things, usually on-line, as I think of them or see them. I bought for DD1 in July, I know what to get for DD2 and I have just been prompted into an idea for DS. So just DD3 to think of now. And OH of course. I know what I will get for my brother. Having solved these important people quite easily, I will go out one day in November or December to do 'Christmas shopping' and buy all the presents left to do. I buy cards from a nearby church which sells a huge range of charity cards and then plan a day to write them. I really look forward to this day. I put a film on the DVD player and have a lovely time. For me Christmas doesn't happen until Christmas. I really love Advent and find the anticipation, preparation and feeling of waiting so exciting. We have a shared calendar and the children take it in turns to open a window each morning. We usually get one with Bible references in each window, so we read those verses aloud too. In the evening we light an Advent candle at tea time. On Sundays we have a special set of candles 4 red and one gold. The red candles represent each Sunday of Advent and the gold is for Christmas day. So it is a progressive thing with more candles each week. All of this tradition is so exciting. Every year the children moan about how long it is to wait and then about half way through December they are amazed at how close Christmas is and quickly Advent has gone! It is all good fun, a lot of work, but still enjoyable. But I am not thinking about it at all yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 I couldnt get my breath today as i popped into town and saw that John Lewis have their Christmas decorations up already!!! They are also selling Christmas gifts too - chocolate Santa, reindeer etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 I start early in some ways as I make foodie hampers, but then I like to leave all the rest until December. Any other gifts are purchased through World Vision http://www.greatgifts.org/GiftSelection/home.aspx - it provides the same catalogue as Annie uses. We have previously bought a Bike for a Midwife but this year my favourite is 'Buy a Bog' - because I would hate to live without one myself! I only send cards to people I don't get to see very often or don't see over Christmas. Tree will be decorated last weekend before Christmas day - and no doubt un-decorated by the dog this year like Ginette - I love Advent and the lead up to Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 Every year I invite friends over for the Christmas soiree (sp? see teacher). The usual things like party nibbles and drinks etc, but due to work I normally have to put the decs up in early dec (last year it was 30th Nov)!!!!! The high light every year is the party bags I make. Last year I bought cheap sacking material, and made little christmas sacks, filled with little bottles of home made chilli oil, sweets, tangerine, walnuts and mince pies etc . All tied up with raffia, cinnamon stick and tiny baubles. Finished off with Christmas stamped parcel tags I really enjoy doing it every year!!!! I'm with you Molly, started getting bits in July and have been wrapping in Brown paper and twine for a few years. Tied up with a cinnamon stick and home made tags it looks really nice. Last year it took me 8 hours to wrap all the pressies Can't wait til December!!!!!!! Christian X X X X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
