Oh heck - just heard on radio that its 59 days to Christmas......do we really need to know that now??
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I know its a perennial moan, but why why why does the bombardment start so early?? Do people really spend more because we're prompted that much earlier? Personally I set a budget and stick to it
Responses (6)
What does surprise me every year is to hear people say that Christmas came up so fast that it caught them unprepared!!
Strange that a date in the calandar, that occurs on an annual basis and is 'sold' to people from mid-August onwards in supermarkets etc.. should actually catch anyone by surprise!!
I actually find that in most supermarkets there are offers to be had that greatly discount products if bought early and also it affords those with limited budgets the chance to spread the cost of Christmas over a period of time. So for all the negatives of early promotion there are for some additional benefits to be had.
I was going to mention it was two month's to Christmas yesterday but I didn't want to spoil anyone's week by worrying them about it. It will soon be upon us again all that shopping, baking, wrapping presents, partying for those lucky enough to be going to one. etc. etc. In-laws, out-laws and unwanted guests. All part of Christmas. The last minute presents you forgot to get - yes the frown marks will appear as we get into a frenzy with overloaded trolleys and with the knowledge that everything won't go in the cupboards when we reach home. It's worth it though to see family and friends enjoying themselves even if you are worn out.
Oh dear, now I feel like I've spoilt everyone's week!! I like the baking and seeing everyone (yes, even the one's you get fed up with!), but hate the pressure to spend spend spend!
No you haven't spoilt my week it will come and it will go and we'll enjoy ourselves. I love to see my family and spoil them all. It's something to enjoy until Spring arrives again. Then we can look forward to seeing all the birds nesting and the bulbs peeping through.
Glad to hear it Sabre - as I get older I value time with my relatives more and more, and it'd be a dull winter without it!
We start saving in January with the Tesco saving stamps, so in December we don't have to spend anything on food (or very little!)
Sometimes I feel like a mean mummy when everyone is talking about how much they are pending on their kids - £100 on a MAIN present - what you mean they are getting more?!?!?! My 3 & 1/2 year old has NEVER had £100 spent on him in total - let alone for a 'main' present!! His main present this year is a £35 second-hand DS, and we have bought him a few new games for it. He will get a couple of stocking filler presents, and that will be it. He really doesn't need any more stuff - he has LOADS already.
Then we hardly spend anything on other people - grandparents etc are all getting a personalised photo calendar and a small stocking filler present. Me and OH spend less that £50 on each other. It's not that I don't like buying presents for other people, but we don't have the money to waste on things that are likely to be used for a short time and then forgotten about. So we buy enough to show our 'festive side', but spending time together for us is way more important.
And BTW.... did the supermarkets REALLY need to put out the Christmas stuff just after the kids went back to school?!?!? There is Halloween and bonfire night before Christmas!
And you know what, in a few months those expensive toys are confined to a cupboard........its not worth it, you're not mean, you're sensible!
I saw yesterday the showing of the top toys for Christmas and I can't believe how much they cost and what they are supposed to do. I would think any intelligent child would shy away from most of it. One was a dog which was fed paper and then after a long time of pressing on a rubber looking ball in a tube the dog did it's poo. I ask you what it all coming to. There were no dolls, trains, just cuddly toys, the odd computer pad and by looks of it a lot of rubbish.
The charity shops have some wonderful toys in for Christmas and at our local ones they don't even need a wash if you don't want to as they are so clean. It is better to give them a good rub down or a quick wash then they don't have any germs on.
I watched BBC news the other morning Sabre when they couldn't get that dog to poo, lol.
Talk about a tasteless gift, that's one my grandchildren won't be getting.
Yes it's good to stick with a budget Jazzj and mine is stricter and more frugal than ever this year.
I've more or less finished the gift shopping now which entailed just buying for the grandchildren.
I had ideas from their parents which is half the battle in knowing what to buy instead of traipsing aimlessly around in a daze.
I also save up my Tesco and Nectar points for the grocery shopping in December as it all helps to avoid one massive food bill at that time.
You're right, there's nothing worse than spending hard earned cash only to see in their face that they wanted something else! Get much better for tesco points if you use one of their deals rather than in store but I do make an exception at Christmas
At least it's not just me then! I love finding a bargain that I am actually going to use/that I want :)
I try and give people who ask ideas for what to get our son - and always give them a few different priced things so then they can choose what they spend on him and don't just feel obliged to get him something expensive.
I just can't believe its that time of year already!!! Reality kicks in for me when its halloween. I'm saving my pennies for house of frasers and debenhams dept stores have their mega day sale which is in mid november i usually do xmas shopping then as it is 20% off most items. Budgeting important especially with a list of who and what to get for. If my list is not prepared i find i buy too much hoping to return what i don't need but it never happens so prepare a list if like me!!!
They are preparing you for the Christmas stress so that I thought that I'd put together tips on how to manage all this.
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I am never ready until the very last minute (we have birthdays in December and I can't really focus on Christmas until after), but I do buy some of the early bargains ans store away. Then all I have to do is find them again...........
Bad planning Parchester....or maybe that should be complete absence of......?
You're not the only one, Jazzj, I'm a last minute person too where Christmas is concerned, mostly because I can't stand shops or shopping at any time of year. I'm always hoping that Christmas will be cancelled, but sadly that never seems to happen!
We have Mr F's birthday on the 10th, and our wedding anniversary on the 23rd - yes, I know, but it seemed like a romantic idea 22 years ago!
And I actually think the early reminders lull you into a false sense of security. When I see Christmas adverts in September I just ignore them as they're too early and I think I've got all the time in the world.
If they started in mid-November I might take notice of them.
Good point about the adverts, Feline!
I've suggested to my family that we only buy a very small present and then all contribute to a charity we can help as you get to the state where you don't know what to buy for the older members of the family and their partners.
I'm sure we all receive and buy presents not really wanted. We already take a large amount of cat and dog food to the R.S.P.C.A. every year along with any towels and bedding etc. we no longer use.
Last year we decided not to send christmas cards to the many and opted instead to give a donation to the Make A Wish Foundation, which gives children with short term life expectancies the opportunity to have the trip of a life time.
I used Facebook and other social media, as well as email to tell everyone of our decision and wished them happiness through this, and to my surprsie many people followed the idea.
When you consider the cost of each stamp, the card, the envelope and the time needed to write each card. By not sending any we saved time, recycling costs and denied Royal Mail their share of my hard earned money!!
We will no doubt do the same again this year.
Following on from sabre's comment below, adult presents in our family are limited to £5 - and before you think that just means tack, its amazing what you can get if you're resourceful!