Christmas 2020

And you all wonder why the world seems to go fast ?

No no I m thinking about spring and summer can’t bear to think about next Christmas what’s the point everyone’s taste will have changed in a year Children will like completely different toys or have new interests

I might not even be alive who knows....I don’t get thinking about something 12 months away

No,no, no! I don't like to plan anything too far ahead. Who knows I could be dead by then and someone else will just have to get rid of this stuff.

Serious observation; I don't know how so many people can afford to buy all their Christmas gifts in December without going into debt or having huge salaries. Having little disposable income and eschewing debt I usually start my buying in January.

I get things in the sales that won't date and make nice gifts for birthdays, 'thank you's, WI raffles and next year's 'secret santas'. I also get 'stocking fillers'; things that had cost between £8-£10, but are reduced to £3-£5, and stationary items that I will use myself or that make nice gifts for teenagers, such as notebooks and nice pens.

If there are toy sales I look for classics that won't date. Today I bought my grandson a lovely doll that he will get for his birthday and when I next go into the city I shall look out for some toy cars for him in the sales.

Throughout the year there are always short lived sales where things are offered for up to half price and I rarely pay full price for Christmas or birthday gifts. But of course the recipients don't know that.

Agree with Salsa. Apart from anything else the shops are rammed and the last thing I want to do is more shopping.

Sorry - last year's gift

No

Tempting fate!

I did have to go out and buy a Christmas present today but that's a replacement for this year's gift which was duplicated.

Some wrapping paper and a cracker present ( we make our own with tailored fillings to suit the 'puller') and some Xmas socks.

Got some cheap wrap from Asda ... with a big family like my husbands got .. we need it ! Loads of nephews abs nieces etc
20p and really pretty ... love the sales and I have no shame getting things for Christmas 2020 ?

You are all previous, IMO. but probably prudent as I usually leave things on the late side when the shops and the buses are crowded and there's little choice.
My DS has a January birthday and he always got better presents than his siblings because we were able to buy in the sales.

Haven't even thought about it, mind on other things than Christmas 2020.

Beechnut

Agree with you Monica.

I’ve been to M+S today, bought Christmas paper, tags, and ribbons. My Christmas paper drawer is now stuffed full ready for next year.

You are all so organised. I’ve got some sprouts so I’ll put them on.

SalsaQueen, no planning about it. We went to the shops to buy some food and they had Christmas cards and crackers at half price. I have the space to store them, so I bought them. £10 saved now means £10 not spent next Christmas. Ditto the presents. Each an unplanned purchase, but in this case the saving was nearer £20.

As I said, no planning but you do need to be strategic in your thinking on almost every aspect of life and take opportunities when they present themselves.

I was tempted by reduced decorations, but resisted! After all, I already have 10 boxes!

Next This year, I might make my own cards again, or rather order them from a photo service. I got several compliments for the ones I did in 2019. I just got DH to dress up in scarf and gloves and we took a photo in front of the fir tree in the garden. I had fun adding Cliparts of Christmas baubles and put it all on a tasteful and expensive - looking dark red background.

This can only be done shortly before Christmas, of course.

I have bought a gift already for my DGD’s 7th birthday - she will be 5 in May!

Nothing bought here. I keep away from shops as much as I can and especially the few weeks each side of Christmas. Once our decorations are down at the weekend, Christmas will not be mentioned again until at least November.

Christmas was one week ago, and some people are already thinking of the next one?! I don't plan anything that far in advance.............

Nothing, couldn’t face the shops so soon, though I know it would be very sensible.

One year when a dd was working in Ethiopia but had come home for Christmas, she went back with practically a suitcase full of post Christmas sale bargains as presents for her team. Their (orthodox) Christmas Day was 6th January, so she also took some very cut-price crackers, which went down a storm at their Christmas dinner - they’d never had or seen such things before.

3 packs of cards from Oxfam

Christmas cards and a small gift from Boots (half price) for teenage grand daughter may be b'day pressie in April

I used to do the same, not any more.

I am hoping to be wise enough not to buy so many tempting nibbles or pigs in blankets, am still eating them. Christmas 2020, I am definitely going to see about a solo holiday away, never thought I would do another cruise but tbh it is tempting, to go away for a good 3 weeks or so and s*d the cost

Paper, tags and bows -John Lewis sale
Christmas cards - National Trust sale
Crackers - Emma Bridgewater sale.

That’s all covered.
I always do this, which some people will think is silly, but it pleases me.

Bought a gift for son in law yesterday.
Put away for Christmas 2020!