146 sleeps 'til Christmas!

[daffidazey]

Are any of you even thinking about Christmas yet?
I am starting to think about it. I have been organising the finances so money is put to one side and thinking about what to get the kids.
Has anyone started shopping or are you someone who leaves it to the last minute?
daffi x

[mollykins]

If I have enough money, I'll by my dad some grey jeans. He only has one decent pair of jeans, and they're medium blue, but look terrible with some of his shirts, but grey ones would go . . . .

[wheaten]

I buy little things throughout the year as I see them and it also spreads the cost. Each main person gets a shoe box of little wrapped up gifts plus one larger present such as a dvd set, jewellery etc. Check charity shops after Christmas for new things people have received and not wanted (soap sets, scarves, games etc) and put them by for the next year. I get my sister and her family Amazon tokens as I never know what's wanted and it saves on getting something they are too old/young for and they enjoy choosing it themselves. I'm sure however that most people can't remember what they were given the year before, or have given it to a charity shop!
Wheaten

[boxtops]

I've bought all my Christmas cards, as wheaten says I get some in the sales in January, and because they sell out quickly I have already been to the Help for Heroes website and bought their cards for this Christmas. In the past I have always bought throughout the year, I can't bear shopping in December when the shops are full and you cant get what you want.
However from this year, we have agreed amongst the adults in both families that we are stopping doing gifts - we are putting more value on having a lovely time together than on having packages to open, when we don't really need anything and certainly don't want any more toiletry sets etc when people aren't sure what to get - so it's just for the under 18s this year (and there are quite a few of them!). It does help us all since none of us have much cash these days and over the years it's got more and more difficult to know what to buy people. It's OH's birthday next month and we'd said we'd probably go out for a nice meal as a treat instead.

[pastafreak]

It's not even funny,mentioning it.

[boxtops]

Talking of untimeliness, I always think it is mean of the shops to stick up all the Back to School signs with uniforms and pens etc., on the day the kids break up.

[thetruthhurts]

I don't do Christmas, but, I'm amazed how quickly it is approaching. I've bad memories of Christmas and also, because I suffer depression, Christmas seems to magnify this. BUT, I enjoy cooking dinner, the more the merrier and of course at Christmas, no one notices just how much I can drink ;-)

[missnemesis]

I have been trying to sort something similar out for years with my family/friends boxtops but there's always one who says "it's not christmas without presents to open!"

I'd much rather just have a get together with some great food and drink and enjoy the day instead of spending weeks or months stressing about what to get for whom and then looking forward to it being all over :-/

[paddywak]

We've been doing the same as boxtops for the last couple of years, concentrating on presents for the kids, though I always keep my eyes open for a special present for the Boss, In regards to cards we always buy them early and since I had my stroke I have great difficulty holding a pen let alone writing so I've set up the computor with loads of different greetings, little pictures etc and just whack them through as and when they're needed

[TheOtherHalf]

Local market selling all sorts of Xmas cards and things yesterday, whilst holiday makers are still here. Unbelievable.. Perhaps we should have a countdown . Its now 134 sleeps

[Charlie911]

We start buying Christmas pressies as soon as the salkes start. Well why pay well over the odds for something next year? We bought a bottle of perfume for someone (I haven't a clue who the friend is) costing £45. Reduced from well over £150!! Trouble is as far as I can see is that next year when you buy that person something more moderate, it makes you look cheap? Anyone else feel like that or is it just me?

[pusskin]

i agree with pastafreak ! dont even mention it! lol

[daffidazey]

Thanks for all your opinions. I LOVE Christmas!! Sorry to those who don't want me to mention it. I always goe somewhere new to Christmas shop, last year we went to Lincoln, year before we went to Norwich, would love to go to London this year and take the kids to see the lights but train fare is astronomical!!
Whether you are looking forward to it or not I hope you all have a lovely Christmas x x

[Ric.ror]

Oh its great I cannot wait
I think the official countdown is 23 Sept - Michaelmass - but I will check with Wiki

[Bobbisox]

it's actually 128 days
9 hours
20 seconds
humph!

[redman41]

For me personally I have only 3 more sleeps to go before all my Christmases turn up at once

[Bobbisox]

nudge, nudge red..ha-ha

[redman41]

Hi Bobbi ! ha ha ha .Yes you have twigged, have to get some practice in for the Honeymoon you know ! lol

[Bobbisox]

aye but just think of the fun you will have practising..ha-ha

[redman41]

LOL !!! If she spots this Post she will tell me off for being naughty. x

[rowanwitch]

two ...

Actually I suppose I ought to start worrying about christmas....I've normally got the cakes and puddings maturing by now....
I still need to make my cards and stuff...and decide on a theme.....and where I will be for the holiday this year that is always good for a row or two bug**r it I'm booking a cheap holiday to a non christian country and ignoring christmas altogether