[Shaun]

I've bought one present - and a bunch of stuff for the Christmas period like tins of Roses, advent calendars for my brothers/sisters, gift wrap, cards, etc. I have in mind what I want to get for everyone but will probably wait 'til I'm paid a wage in December to just blow it all on that.

[Jake.]

well no

[Cherie]

Nope

[Ammi]

...u mad Josy..?...

[Ammi]

..I have though got quite a few of the bits that I do earlier../that have to be posted etc, so I'm doing ok and I ordered some wrapping stuff at the weekend...it's harder when your children are older and they have partners...it's often their partner who gives you their Christmas list for them and you think..oh well that's ok..and then they say ..well I've bought that one and that one and that one and I think I'll get that one as well and then you get the ..'surprises are good as well' bit...which is still ok because I like to get surprises for them but then you realise that it was their partners who put that one on the list and not something they asked for at all...

[Ammi]

..we'll probably choose the tree next week...which when it's in a forest of trees, looks perfect and just the right size/one of the smaller ones......but when it gets delivered, it looks more like this in the lounge...

[Ammi]

..I love Christmas....

[jennyjuniper]

Originally Posted by Jessica.

Noo, a really nice fake one, we live in a second floor apartment with only stairs access, lugging a tree up here would be very inconvenient and also we have a demon kitten, so I don't think a real tree would be appropriate.

Just watch your kitten with the glitter garlands. Our cat ate part of a garland and his poo in the litter box was sparkly for quite a while. (He was okay, the vet checked him out and said let nature take it's course.

[jennyjuniper]

Originally Posted by Jessica.

Shopping for men is so hard, people are mislead thinking it's easy, for a woman you can get them pyjamas or perfume or jewellery, but who knows what a man wants, if you get him bodywash or whatever it will just rot on a shelf while he continues to use whatever he was using before etc.. and pyjamas are useless if they don't wear them.

What about a fleece or a lumberjack shirt? Does he like books or music, if so get him a voucher for either of those.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Josy

All in title

No, I will not start until around 1 week into December as I find that if I do it becomes a process of finishing rather than a happy event at the time.

So what if every gift is not perfect, its opened and discarded in seconds. As I get older Christmas becomes much more about spending time together as a family than frankly unwanted gifts (apart from children who like the opening just as much as the gift)

Ideally presents should end at 18. Adults having to buy each other stupid gifts we dont want is a marketing ruse.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

No, I will not start until around 1 week into December as I find that if I do it becomes a process of finishing rather than a happy event at the time.

So what if every gift is not perfect, its opened and discarded in seconds. As I get older Christmas becomes much more about spending time together as a family than frankly unwanted gifts (apart from children who like the opening just as much as the gift)

Ideally presents should end at 18. Adults having to buy each other stupid gifts we dont want is a marketing ruse.

We don't have to buy things like that though, there is a choice.

For example this year I will be buying my OH a few things he needs for his car he will get other things too but all things he needs/will use.

Its easy to buy a gift that someone both needs and enjoys receiving

[Vanessa]

I haven't even started yet

[Glenn.]

I started a few weeks ago then just stopped. I did a big shop on Amazon last night so I'm back in Christmas mode.
I've had to fork out £800 for a vets bill today though.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Quasar

I started a few weeks ago then just stopped. I did a big shop on Amazon last night so I'm back in Christmas mode.
I've had to fork out £800 for a vets bill today though.

A real killer, and always seems to happen unexpectedly just when you think you are a few quid in front for once.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...u mad Josy..?...

No - She's just so maddingly organised.

[Vanessa]

I always leave things at the last minute.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Josy

We don't have to buy things like that though, there is a choice.

For example this year I will be buying my OH a few things he needs for his car he will get other things too but all things he needs/will use.

Its easy to buy a gift that someone both needs and enjoys receiving

Well I am thinking of getting ex-MrsLt a curved handle kitchen knife as they are much easier to stab you in the back with


I think she has a cricked neck from using her normal straight handle one..

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I always leave things at the last minute.

Keep a supply of scarves, socks and gloves in Nessa for those times you forget someone

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ammi

Dreaming of a white christmas? ( look at the reverse Robertsons mascot on the wall) and the name of the site the pic came from

[Crimson Dynamo]

tbh I am buying stuff every week from auctions so its never too much of a problem for me. I know my 10 year old niece, for example, can never have too many oak, ships wheel design, Shortland Bros Aneroid barometers

[Kazanne]

I've started,but got many more to get.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I tell the children to make me mine. Middle girl LT made me a lovely box to keep the remote controls in when she was like 8 and now its 5 years old and still going strong and I use it every day and keep my glasses in there too (and a few sweety wrappers )

[Livia]

I am completely finished. I can't believe it... this is really the first year I've put my mind to it and got it all done.

[Niamh.]

No I'm so disorganised this year I have nothing got

[Livia]

I really surprised myself. I've even got all the little Hanukkah gifts for the girls and I've bought my cards. Haven't written them out yet... but I have my address labels in a spreadsheet LOL... I'm all for saving time.