Christmas

Crossstitchfan

How can you even think about Christmas? It’s the end of August! 😱
In answer to your question, I shall only be giving cards to my youngest grandchildren. As a family, we agreed ages ago that we did not intend to pay the exorbitant price Royal Mail are charging. All my friends and neighbours feel the same, if their actions last year are anything to go by, when most of them refused to send any. Royal Mail had better watch out!
My hairdresser told me this morning that she is already dreading the time between now and the big day as most of clients are talking about it already, some have been for a week or more. She said it’s hard to chat about something that’s 100 days away! I couldn’t agree more.

Crafters start thinking about Christmas in July. If you're going to make things for gifts, or make your own cards etc, you start thinking early.
With the ridiculous price of stamps, you need to start saving early too!!

My Christmas card list has shrunk over the years. I will be sending about a dozen or so, some will be doubled up to save on postage, as I know they see each other regularly. I make my cards so each one is designed with the recipient in mind.

Stripeygran. It is a choice yes but I do need to begin my Christmas planning early as I would never have the funds to do it all at the last minute. That much is not a choice it's a matter of careful budgeting

In answer to the question, I’ll be writing our usual 80 or so charity cards, DH will be delivering most of them (note the division of labour there 😊) and a couple of dozen will have to be posted. All with second class Christmas stamps on them. We usually just send four to friends abroad. We don’t post much over the rest of the year, so I’m not going to cut down on them.

Nanny27

It must be lovely for those who don't even need to think about Christmas until the beginning of December but I don't have that luxury. With 17 members of my family to buy presents for I need to start early. I need to be finished by the end of November at least so that December pay can set aside for food shopping.
As a family we usually get together in the summer to decide who will host and what if any accommodation needs to be arranged.

Given what you have just said in your first paragraph, I am sorry if my reply was less than sensitive.
I have a fairly small family to buy for and my daughters help by getting some of the gifts I’ll give their families, and I give them the money for those. Also one of them will cook Christmas dinner for us all (they take it in turns) so I will pay for the turkey, ham and so on as my contribution.

No one is saying you can’t start thinking or buying for Christmas Nanny27 in January if you need to or want to but we don’t have to talk about it or have threads about it on here That’s my point

For many it’s a difficult and sensitive time of year May have no family, may have had a Christmas bereavement, may be homeless, may have a broken family may have little money and the constant reminders are unnecessary

Why do we need to be talking about it in Summer ?
Let’s enjoy what bit of warmth and lightness of Summer that is left without jumping into the cold dark winter already

Bluebelle People can talk about what they like,I dont mind the question, even if I do things differently.
I know Christmas is sensitive and lonely for some, and for that I am genuinely sorry, but to be brutal it does not mean people should not talk about it when they like.
I don't know the OP circumstances, maybe she is concerned about the cost of things, thought about it and posed the question on Gransnet. No harm in that.

This thread is plain hilarious. Everyone’s pussy-footing around trying not to upset anyone. To be thinking about sending Christmas cards (which, whether you like it or not, is dying out) and how much it costs, in AUGUST, is ridiculous. The OP plainly doesn’t

have much to occupy her time.

This Poster, me, has lots to occupy her time. However I love Christmas preparations and enjoy them all the more when they are not rushed. They don't dominate my every waking hour and between now and December 25th I have lots of lovely non-Christmas related stuff going on.

LaCrepescule I think your comment re 'the OP plainly doesn't have much to occupy her time ' is rude and uncalled for.
The OP asked a perfectly reasonable question.

Aldom, I think she (LeCrepescule), simply got out of bed the wrong side, this morning. Bless her, we've all been there.

Everyone’s pussy-footing around trying not to upset anyone.
Well, that would be a first on GN!😂
I think posters are saying it as it is to them, and are not ridiculous to be thinking about their Christmas card list if they wish to.

Good grief that was condescending notagran

All you who love Christmas, that’s great but discussing Christmas in August (well it was when the thread started) is silly and just wishing life away

If you need to think or buy early that’s absolutely fine but having threads about it while we re still enjoying summer / autumn is not the best at all and to be honest I find dispiriting
and quite depressing in this rather sad world of war and fear hunger and bullets

Now whose going to start a thread about Easter ?

Why do you read a thread about christmas *Bluebelle*?

Don`t like it, then don`t read it

For goodness sake, live and let live

LaCrepescule

have much to occupy her time.

Rude remark and unnecessary.

I only send cards to family/friends that do not live close enough to visit regularly so will probably be 4 or 5 at most.
I remember my Mum buying packs of 100 cards and running out but I don't think anyone goes to those lengths these days!

BlueBelle I purchased Easter Gift Bags, ribbon and tissue back in June, I saw them online and less than half price, it would have been foolish not to, as I make up eight Easter gift bags.

Some of us just like to be organised, it is in no way wishing our lives away in fact it’s the opposite.

Being ahead of the game leaves me time to enjoy my life, my family along with the seasons without the constant fear of forgetting something and rushing around like a headless chicken.

Likewise I have a holiday bag in one of my wardrobes, ready with all lotions & potions which ensures that I can be ready to go anywhere at the drop of a hat.

Those of us who have ever worked in Retail know that Christmas has to be thought about in February. Placing stock orders, Toy Trade Fairs etc.
If you send cards abroad they have early posting dates too.
I am incredulous that this innocent Chat thread has attracted such derisive remarks.
It will put GN members off starting threads.

TillyTrotter unfortunately it’s not unusual on GN at the moment, there appears to be a lot of pent up anger and frustration which is vented on all sorts of friendly threads.

GrannyGravy13

TillyTrotter unfortunately it’s not unusual on GN at the moment, there appears to be a lot of pent up anger and frustration which is vented on all sorts of friendly threads.

And if you try to make a light-hearted comment to reinstate the peace, or to highlight a similar thread for information, then that is wrong too. What's going on?

Yes you are right, people will be put off. What is happening on here lately? People seem to be snapping and snarling like never before. I got caught up in an altercation a couple of days ago, which wasn’t pleasant as I hate falling out with anyone.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I come on here for a chat and, if I’m honest, a nose into what people are up to! Normally, I look forward to it but lately, I have felt a little nervous after posting anything because there is often someone who jumps down my throat, and that’s not pleasant.
If it continues, I shall probably stop coming on here and will certainly stop having my say.
It’s a new month. Let’s have a new start. Please 🙏

BlueBelle

Good grief that was condescending notagran

All you who love Christmas, that’s great but discussing Christmas in August (well it was when the thread started) is silly and just wishing life away

If you need to think or buy early that’s absolutely fine but having threads about it while we re still enjoying summer / autumn is not the best at all and to be honest I find dispiriting
and quite depressing in this rather sad world of war and fear hunger and bullets

Now whose going to start a thread about Easter ?

Surely you read the thread title?
Why did you read it?

TillyTrotter

Those of us who have ever worked in Retail know that Christmas has to be thought about in February. Placing stock orders, Toy Trade Fairs etc.
If you send cards abroad they have early posting dates too.
I am incredulous that this innocent Chat thread has attracted such derisive remarks.
It will put GN members off starting threads.

Agreed

escaped

GrannyGravy13

TillyTrotter unfortunately it’s not unusual on GN at the moment, there appears to be a lot of pent up anger and frustration which is vented on all sorts of friendly threads.

And if you try to make a light-hearted comment to reinstate the peace, or to highlight a similar thread for information, then that is wrong too. What's going on?

Goodness knows!
Tetchy remarks abound even on fluffy threads.🧵