Already getting Christmas emails

I bought my Christmas crackers today!

I like to spread my purchasing and wrapping, too, for my large family.
I like to buy from smaller producers, also ( I love the Not on the High Street website), and it helps those retailers to avoid the rush . As others here, I make some gifts and cards, and all of that takes time.

My DIl told me yesterday she was nearly finished her Christmas shopping. She’s usually late with this. She said she was sick of being disorganised every year! I too buy from September little things and put them in my special place so I dont forget what I’ve bought! It eases the finances somewhat!

“It's always the same mantra parotted by retailers; "you have to do it for the kiddies.”

I have never heard that mantra from any retailer Marg, I worked in retail for various companies both food and clothing for over 45 years, including 30 years at M&S.

It’s to sell as much as possible, and if extending a trading window by weeks or even months is a method that works, they’ll do it.
Operationally it helps as stock is out on display, using all available space- backstage stage in most retailers is at a premium.

Retailers aren’t going to do anything ‘for the kiddies’ (horrible word) unless there’s something in it for them, either financially or it enhances their reputation.

jocork, I’ve often started making Christmas items in June, especially when I was knitting yet another Nativity Set alongside something else. I must have made at least 5, mostly for the Gdcs’ school 🎄raffle, but no more now.

I can't bear to hrs Christmas music being played before December but as for preparations I make cake and mincemeat in October and present buying begins around September. I have a large family and couldn't possibly find gifts for everyone if I didn't start in plenty of time. I love Christmas but never ever decorate before the 2nd week of December.

I agree, Christmas does come far too early but because of health conditions, which are much worse in the winter I will buying gifts much earlier this year and have them wrapped, hopefully by November.
This will make Christmas easier, so I shouldnt be so exhausted when the day arrives 😊

Ziplok

I don’t think there is anything wrong with people buying presents well beforehand, if they are on a budget - it spreads the cost, plus getting bits and pieces in for the store cupboard, or planning rehearsals for singing events, etc. These are common sense things to do.

I think what irritates most people is the bombardment of Christmas ads well before the day itself, along with shops and garden centres being stocked full of tat well before, and sickly Christmas films showing from the end of August, etc.

These ads, showing the “perfect” Christmas Day, with tables groaning with far too much food add to the stress for many people who feel they are somehow failing if their tables aren’t over laden with food or the base of their tree isn’t full of expensive presents at its base. (Which must be perfectly decorated, of course, with everything colour co-ordinated).

It is commercialism, pure and simple, and detracts from the true meaning of the day, and encourages some to get into debt that they really can’t afford.

It all starts far too early, but Pandora’s box has been opened and it is unlikely to close again.

I love Christmas, but I do not like this over commercialised development aimed purely at making lots of money for lots of businesses.

Thanks, you said it much better than me !

Being a small business owner you have plan Christmas in July! I start posting on Social Media in October - if you don't money might be spent elsewhere and not with me! There's a finite amount of money people have to spend (ever decreasing due to the cost of living) and some literally buy throughout the year so they don't have a big bill in December. Also please consider buying from the little guy or gal rather than M&S, John Lewis etc - you'll be helping a little business afford shoes for their kids rather than paying for a CEO's second or even third home! Tkank you

Also, mince pies.
Yum.
Just yum.

I don’t’do’ Hallowe’en but it helps me budget to get presents a few at a time. The Mumsnet pre Christmas Bargain thread is amazing for discounts, offers and price drops.

Far too early for me !! What's wrong with shops, let's enjoy the Autumn. Really don't like Christmas anyway, too much money spent on unwanted gifts, that people can't afford. Then they spend the next 6 months trying to pay for it

Even worse is when people ask you ,1) have you started your Christmas shopping , 2) what are you doing for Christmas, 3)will you see your family on Christmas day. Each question grates like nails on a blackboard😵

Rocketstop2

So, the shops near here have got an ever increasing selection of Christmas stuff in, I was at a main train station and popped in one of the small M & S food stores, yep, the mince pies were already out.
Now I seem to be getting Christmas emails from various stores, argghh delete delete delete !
I'm not ready to accept this yet !

And I'll bet the Hot Cross Buns were on the next shelf from the pies......

I would have agreed it is too early. But after spending 4 miserable years on my own after my huband died and having to move to a cold horrible flat I never even bothered with decorations. Now I have moved nearer my daughter have a lovely flat with a small patio garden and lovely neighbours I'm buying garden decorations so far 2 little reindeers and 2 small trees also now buying stocking fillers and gifts room decorations the lot! and looking forward to Christmas. My small really old over 30 years but very pretty light up tree will make an appoarance again this year.

My daughter's birthday was on 13th December so we never put up cards before then, but now she has children she's fine with it.
I wish that online retailers would let you opt out of Christmas emails in the same way as you can opt out of Mothers' Day or whatever.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with people buying presents well beforehand, if they are on a budget - it spreads the cost, plus getting bits and pieces in for the store cupboard, or planning rehearsals for singing events, etc. These are common sense things to do.

I think what irritates most people is the bombardment of Christmas ads well before the day itself, along with shops and garden centres being stocked full of tat well before, and sickly Christmas films showing from the end of August, etc.

These ads, showing the “perfect” Christmas Day, with tables groaning with far too much food add to the stress for many people who feel they are somehow failing if their tables aren’t over laden with food or the base of their tree isn’t full of expensive presents at its base. (Which must be perfectly decorated, of course, with everything colour co-ordinated).

It is commercialism, pure and simple, and detracts from the true meaning of the day, and encourages some to get into debt that they really can’t afford.

It all starts far too early, but Pandora’s box has been opened and it is unlikely to close again.

I love Christmas, but I do not like this over commercialised development aimed purely at making lots of money for lots of businesses.

I totally agree with you it is too early! However I am guilty I have bought several Christmas presents from the sales. I got a dress for my daughter £13 from a well known shop. How could 1 not buy it!

Surely it 3months ahead not half a year ? Personally id rather get the gifts all wrapped early & save them out of the way till nearer christmas.

I am not looking forward to Christmas, elderly andliving alone,, so no,, please stop it.. surely it is just all about wanting our money off us.

I don’t like seeing decorations in shops to early, but as I’m on a limited budget I do like to gradually get presents over a few weeks

Welshpoppy me too!

Some weeks ago I was told off by a fellow crafter as I was making christmas decorations! "It's too early" was her cry! I had to explain that I had come up with a new design last year and only had time to make 2 before our autumn craft sale and they sold in minutes so I wanted to have taime to make a decent selection this year. Hopefully they will be as popular again.
A few years ago I made a nativity scene for my grandchildren which had 24 felt characters which attached to the background with velcro. I packaged it in an empty cosmetics advent calendar box so they could add one each day in December. In order to deliver the finished article by October - the last time I would visit before Christmas - I started making it early in the summer which felt pretty strange!
However I agree that seeing such things in the shops is irritating in the extreme, like easter eggs in January! Everything else I do for Christmas is usually at the last minute!

Thank goodness for a daughter with a birthday at beginning of December. No Christmas celebrations or decorations till after that.

I never quite understand why people get worked up about such things. Can’t you just ignore emails and premature displays in the shops?