Christmas Shopping

[choux]

I have never been one to start shopping other than in November and early December. During the autumn I start to get ideas of what I might buy and write them down in a note book.

Part of the enjoyment is buying items as late as possible and this also allows for any changes in the recipient's circumstances. 'Tis just the same with writing cards. I make sure that parcles and cards are sent before the last posting date, especially those that take the Antipodean route.

The wrapping of presents and adding nice decorations, getting the fountain pen out to write and address the cards are the catalyst for me to get into the festive mood. It just wouldn't feel the same if I did it too much in advance.

Anyone feel the same as do I?

[Bobbisox1]

No, not really :0)
Start it, do it, free up time for things happening but each to their own

[choux]

Jolly good.

[237SJ]

Sometimes I find things on my travels that I think would be nice presents for someone. I bought a present in Holland Village in Singapore in March and will give that for Christmas. I like to buy the cards and wrapping as late as possible though.

[Tilly2]

When I was working, I wasn't able to shop until the week before Christmas, due to time restraints.
Now, I am able to shop at leisure and don't have to panic buy in order to get it all done. I do enjoy writing out the cards, though, and leave it as long as possible. It feels like Christmas once the cards have been sent.

[choux]

You have the miles on me 237 :)

Quite right, Tilly. I think it makes a big difference too.

[Bobbisox1]

^^^ exactly , working in a busy centre all those Christmas’s make it a pleasure doing it early

[Tilly2]

Another thing, I leave until the last minute, is dressing the Christmas Tree. Christmas Eve is my time for doing that. Once those lights go on, the Southern Comfort and the mince pies come out . Lovely.

[237SJ]

October used to be Autumn though. It's not Christmas. I find it a bit sad that people are wishing their lives away.

[choux]

I also enjoy making the (long) grocery shopping requirements list. Trying to work out the menus for the days of Christmas and how many of everything I need to get in - always end up being surprised how many pounds of butter we get through, and stilton. Not that bothered by alcohol though. A nice wine for the dinners on 25th & 26th and that is about it.

[Tilly2]

October is still Autumn. Being prepared for a future event is not wishing your life away. It's just being organised and not getting into a tizzy, 237. :-)

[choux]

Precisely, 237. I like the real run up to Christmas to be a reflective occasion at a suitable time. Tilly, that is the time to dress the tree, without a doubt. Then comes the placing of wrapped gifts around it, it is all quite magical.

[Bobbisox1]

Haha@ wishing your life away
Not at all, as I said earlier,each to their own because personally I’m not bothered when people do theirs

[237SJ]

I know. I appreciate that but it is wishing your life away. You can be organised and not get into a tizzy. I find that quite sad (and buying into consumerism which is really what it is about)

[choux]

Jolly good.

[choux]

That wasn't aimed at you, 237 :)

[Bobbisox1]

Time to leave you to it me thinks?

[237SJ]

I remember when one of the Archbishops of Canterbury (can't remember which one is was) said "If the Martians landed on Earth tomorrow, they would think that we worship at Tesco" That's about right.

[Barmaid]

Christmas is in December. I shop the week before and the decs go up after 20th.

Only things I do in advance are make the mincemeat and chutneys (done) and the puds and cake.

[choux]

You have reminded me, Barmaid of a time when my mother and her sisters used to make an extra Christmas pudding which they posted to each other (in the ceramic bowl) so that recipes could be compared. Says a lot about postage rates and delivery back in the day :D

[woofgang]

Does anyone remember a website called Flylady? She used to do this thing called the Christmas Cruise. Her idea was that people miss out on the enjoyment of Christmas and the build up to it because they get so busy with the shopping, planning and so on...so her idea was that you start at the beginning of November, or even earlier, doing a little bit here and there so by the time you get to December there is time to enjoy the good stuff...so yes you Christmas shop but not at breakneck speed with a list as long as your arm instead you enjoy the lights, cruise the shops, enjoy a coffee...you write cards if that is your thing but have time to do it over more than one session and not in one crazy hand aching marathon. I started doing it while I was still working and we had two families living in different parts of the Uk plus family abroad. Now I am on my own and my husband and both lots of parents are gone but I have kept the habit.