Purchasing Christmas presents in February 🤔

Like lots of others, I always buy “stuff” throughout the year when I see a bargain or something nice for someone. My 5 GC are all teenagers so mostly want cash, so that makes life so much easier and I like to give them bits to open too. I like to be organised in advance it saves stress, plus when you’re looking for something special you can never find it anyway. I also have a drawer with lovely cards which I buy in advance.

Just flown out to my daughters with a bag of stocking fillers in case I can't get out here again lol

I start as early as Dec for following year if I've done this year's and c something in sale that will be okay age related for next year I'll get it

I usually buy Christmas cards in the January sales. That way I can choose nicer cards at a reasonable price, but I wouldn't buy gifts until much nearer the time. At the end of last year I realised I'd failed to do my usual January sales shopping so when it came to writing cards I realised stocks were very low and had to go shopping unexpectedly. I'll be in the same position again next year too as I failed again! Sadly I'm very disorganised and often end up in the shops in a panic on Christmas eve!

I start in the January sales, buying with specific people in mind. It helps spread the cost as well as the stress of Christmas. Plus the recipients get a more valuable gift than they would if I bought everything at full price.

I also like to arrange things in advance on days when I am able as I too am chronically ill. It is calming and enjoyable rather than stressful. But a year in advance is a little too soon for me. There is the question of storage. Also I only buy for very close family and try to buy lovely things and I feel it would be a shame if they were not getting the use of them while they could. We never know what lies ahead for us. Also the seasons affect what I am attracted to and what I enjoy thinking about and buying. Now winter is almost past and for me it is the time for thinking about Spring things. I am so sorry you are ill. My blessings.

I have done that for grandchildren in July for Christmas but when it came to Christmas they weren’t into it 🤣so I would only do it myself for an adult whom I knew would love the present

Perfect if you are stocking up on things like alcohol, chocolates, scarves - anything not likely to go off or be affected by size changes. Spreads the shopping load. Not great for children, who can change so much during a year. We just bought a silk scarf in the sales for SiL for her birthday in November - something we know she will love. I often buy things well in advance if I see the perfect thing for someone.

I’m an artist, selling my textile art at local craft markets and online. I’ve had a few conversations recently with people buying for presents later in the year and for Christmas, so you are definitely not alone in planning! I’m always really greatful for these sales too, as it helps to keep me going until the spring markets start 😊

I have a drawer which I add to throughout the year for Xmas and birthdays. Just put in stocking fillers ( 42 year old daughter still insists on one 😂) I buy charity cards half price and they go in the drawer. It spreads the cost plus if there is a surprise event , I raid the drawer !!!

I might buy the odd thing but nothing that will date . Fashions fade and as GMS says books might already be bought. I usually start about October, because we have a lot of birthdays around Christmas as well. Which proves very expensive.

I have bought Xmas box gifts eg Xmas t-shirts and PjS for the son and his family . This year I have Xmas indoor slippers for son and daughter in law. It will give them a giggle . Nice to buy at 75% off in Jan
I only have four to buy for for Xmas. Husband and I don't tend to exchange gifts. We have a treat filled boxing day with ourselves .

Germanshepherdsmum

I wouldn’t buy books so far in advance - by Christmas/the person’s birthday, they may already have them.

I very much doubt my friend will have come across this particular book!! A pretty safe purchase as far as I am concerned.

Sorry good for you.

Goid in you. I have a little wardrobe in spare room and buy little gifts throughout the year. Mainly to use as birthday and Christmas gifts.usually smellies socks scarfs and jewellery usually in the sales that really helps my budget.

I can't see anything wrong with picking up bits and pieces for Christmas. I've already bought replacement tree lights in the sale at 75% off - our ancient lights went from 4 colours to 3 to 2!! so will definitely be needed. But have also picked up a couple of bits for the GCs - it's not that different to stashing a few quid away in the bank towards next Christmas - so why not?

I do buy things in advance that I know specific people will like. For instance, I have a friend who likes Radley bags - couldn't afford one of those for her, but I did find a Radley handbag-size umbrella back in August which I gave to her for Christmas (she loved it). Likewise when ordering something for one of my granddaughters on a site I hadn't visited before I came across the perfect present for a garden-mad friend, so she will get that on her birthday in May.

I'm all in favour of a bit of organisation, just wish I did more of it ...

I wouldn’t buy books so far in advance - by Christmas/the person’s birthday, they may already have them.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Too many “anyway’s” there, but you get the idea 😂.

I think it’s a good idea, Serendipity. If you see something that you know will suit a certain person, then by all means buy it and put it away. If you have a set storage place where you put the gifts you buy in advance that you know you won’t forget where it is, then that’s great. Anything to make the process of gift buying easier, plus spreading the cost, is good, as long as you aren’t tempted to add a bit more to a persons ‘gift pile’, which would negate the savings made. 😁
No, I admire your organisation. I’m not so sure I would be so organised. Having said that, we’ve cut down significantly on who we buy for now anyway, and plan to do the same this year, so our list will be very short anyway, so nearer Christmas is when I’ll probably do the shopping.

Theeexwife buying ahead doesn't necessarily mean buying a generic bargain. For instance, while away in July I spotted something that was perfect for a friend. I kept it till Christmas. This January, whilst visiting a garden centre with an interesting gift shop, I found a book that will give great pleasure to another friend. That is in a drawer, with her name on the bag.... just in case I 'pop my clogs' before next Christmas. For the same friend, in the spring last year, while visiting Highgrove, I found something she would like for her August birthday.
It is possible to give gifts that will be well received, but purchased long before the event.

I definitely don't, once Christmas is over for one year, I don't give it much thought until December is upon us. Also what I may have in mind now in February might not be what that person would wish for say nearer the time. What I do, as and when I stumble across a shop doing really different cards I will buy those ahead of birthdays. We were staying with friends in the Cotswolds recently and found a great card shop in Broadway with some very novel and funny cards, I think I bought about a dozen with various people in mind, a couple of recipients have already said how much they liked theirs.

kittylester

We have a present shelf where we put things we think might be good for someone. It needs restocking!

What a fabulous idea Kitty, and useful if the need for an unexpected gift crops up. Might have to find a vacant shelf.

I have a gift drawer and just buy items as and when I see them but always with a specific person in mind. If they play their cards right they might even have it before Christmas!