When do you all start saving / spending for Christmas each year?

Jon

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How early is too early?

We always go away at Christmas so tend to actually start saving for that from say January / February for that but as for actually buying presents for Christmas we don’t reslly start that until about a week or two befor Christmas!

I just can’t handle how early it all starts which as a kid I would have probably loved (or maybe if I was a parent with some young kids at home) but as our family is at now in terms of ages Christmas just seems to be a “thing” that we do and that’s about it. Even the decorations don’t go up early or anything!

What sort of Christmas shopper are you? If you see an item in July you think will make s good Christmas present so you buy it then and there?

Do you think buying everything so far in advance REALLY helps in the long run?
 

Countrymadegirl

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I personally don't start shopping/making plans until November, when it comes to actually buying anything/deciding on my decoration theme/planning what I want to bake. But money-wise, I start thinking about it in September, due to when I was still working, I wanted to have enough paycheques left to buy for everyone! :)
 

domravioli

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I buy throughout the year - the kids, nieces and cousins get a whole pile of weird cheap stuff from china bought with vouchers throughout the year on amazon (they always love them, no matter how ridiculous they are). Blokes always get new socks, so I buy them when they are on sale, as well as some non-descript gifts for people I don't like but they buy me something so I have to reciprocate as they don't deal with not getting presents (tried it one year, never again). I also get things like Muc-off for the BIL on the cheap when its on offer as he loves his push bike. I do have to wait until the main stores are selling xmas items for the big pressies.

I save £25 a week which goes on December (lots of birthdays and christmas and sometimes a holiday) from January, which sees us right most of the time. Anything left over is spent in the sales. I do get up at 4am on Xmas morning to do the debenhams sale though - the prospect of lovely clothes in my budget is just too good to pass up.
 

kaiserpups

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I always start off with good intentions to pick things up throughout the year as I see them, but have never managed so far.

Christmas shopping is usually a OMG is it December already and a panic buy, but this year we had our first trip out and a present bought on the 30th September which is a record for us ;)

Personally I hate Christmas these days and would love to be able to afford to go away and only come back when it's done. Maybe that's what I need to work towards money wise for next year? Christmas decorations go up for the kids benefit around Dec 6th after my daughters birthday.as I want her to be able to distinguish between the 2.
 
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Karonher

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I start saving the first week in January - I start by putting £12 away that week, then £11 the next and so on down to £1. Then do that another 3 times and it is November and I am ready to spend it.

I used to pick up a lot more through the year as when my mum was alive we used to have "Christmas Tree Presents" as well as the main presents. These were opened after lunch and there could be up to 50 for each person from the other 3 people. They would not be very expensive - sweets, socks, loads of reduced priced books - but it was easier to buy them when we saw them.

Tonight I am ordering a couple from Amazon for my brother and sister in law as they have said what they want.

As I get my dad and brother and sister in law hampers as well as their main presents, I start buying bits of drink and sweets in October.
 
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kayfabe17

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I've gone ahead and agreed with my ladyfriend that we won't spend over a tenner on each other this year, we'll use the money we save to go somewhere nice instead :)
 
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Topaz

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I save Amazon vouchers from surveys throughout the year and have a bulk prezzie buying session in early November. We all have birthdays as well in November/December, so there's lots to buy. I'm usually done and dusted with Christmas/birthday shopping by mid November, so that I have lots of time to do the advent competitions :)
 
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Sherliarty

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I'm getting later and later with my shopping. So will probably start buying gifts in December. I am trying to convince family (friends sensibly agreed to give up presents years ago) to not buy expensive gifts or limit gifts to children only. I often get and probably give unwanted items so it seems a little silly. I'd rather have nicer food and drink on the day and spend the difference on a nice day out at a play or an escape the room etc etc
 

ChelseaGirl

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I build up an Amazon account balance during the 5 months before Crimbo, pick up bargins as and when and wait to know what the fam want before spending the main balance. This year's first prezzie purchase was in August when some 78p Yankee candles screamed stocking filler.
 

Hezzy

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I started shopping yesterday when I saw a couple of stocking filler type things. Also today is Christmas cake baking day!
 

moneygoose

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I save throughout the year, put away £25 a month into a regular saver - and providing I stick to my budget that covers me for birthdays, Christmas, mother's day, Father's day etc.

So useful doing it like this as I know what I can each and every month.
 
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Jon

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I save throughout the year, put away £25 a month into a regular saver - and providing I stick to my budget that covers me for birthdays, Christmas, mother's day, Father's day etc.

So useful doing it like this as I know what I can each and every month.
Sounds like a good plan this!! Is it hard to resist taking money out of that account throughout the year though if you want to buy some bring or your car breaks down etc.
 

moneygoose

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Sounds like a good plan this!! Is it hard to resist taking money out of that account throughout the year though if you want to buy some bring or your car breaks down etc.
I don't find it tempting but I can see why. If you do then I'd recommend setting up a separate bank account for it - I use Starling bank with their goals feature for other one off or yearly costs (e.g. new phone, dentist, opticians etc. Regarding the car I I have a separate regular saver for where I put money to maintain my car - £110 p/m I estimate covers insurance, MOT/Service, road tax, some repairs. Would highly recommend doing this for some peace of mind!
 
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katykicker

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For me I started in about September time this year, which is different to previous years. I've only got to buy for my husband now, who will give me a small list, and I'll do the same for him, and then do the food shop and we are done!
 
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euanjs

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How early is too early?

We always go away at Christmas so tend to actually start saving for that from say January / February for that but as for actually buying presents for Christmas we don’t reslly start that until about a week or two befor Christmas!

I just can’t handle how early it all starts which as a kid I would have probably loved (or maybe if I was a parent with some young kids at home) but as our family is at now in terms of ages Christmas just seems to be a “thing” that we do and that’s about it. Even the decorations don’t go up early or anything!

What sort of Christmas shopper are you? If you see an item in July you think will make s good Christmas present so you buy it then and there?

Do you think buying everything so far in advance REALLY helps in the long run?
I started shopping on the 30th of November although I shopped quite a bit online. I usually shop around Black Friday but the deals aren't actually this good. However, next year if I spot anything in early November I'll buy it.
 
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Jon

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Well, Christmas (and new years!) was a total write off for us money wise!

Due to both of us being ill we have basically been nowhere and done sod odd! Didn't even get round to seeing ANY family as we didn't want to infect them! Didn't get to enjoy Chrimo or New Years which is kind of annoying as I was looking forward to all the food and festivities but you can't help these things and beating myself up about it isn't going to change it!

I've promised myself the MOTHER OF ALL CARVERYS at some point in January through to make up for not having a Christmas meal when I get my appetite back!!

THEY WILL NOT THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO STACK ROAST POTATOES SO HIGH!!

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