I know people are complaining saying it's too early in the year to be talking or thinking about Christmas - but is there anyone else like me who has to start planning etc really early to make sure you can afford all the things you need??
I am a single parent, work full time and my wages aren't too bad BUT ----- when your still paying all the household bills AND trying to sort out Christmas it does become a bit of a strain - so starting ealrier in the year is the only solution!!!
Also the gadgets kids ask for seem to be getting more and more expensive each year!! or is that just my daughter getting older - Christmas is such a worry for me! (although I do love it!)
What about you??
2007-10-23 01:30:42 · 14 answers · asked by EMA 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Skin head girl - I did start in September actually!!!
Obviously I sort out my little girls clothes and toys then move on to my mum and brothers etc! I get such lovely things from everyone around me that I want to buy nice prezzies for them, I know you don't give to receive but............
2007-10-23 01:40:55 · update #1
I agree with you. I plan early and next year I will just get things for family members throughout the year. It is way to expensive to get all at once and I refuse to max out credit cards for a one day event. My kids want crazy expensive things for christmas each year and I usually cave, so next year I'll start in January, LOL.
2007-10-23 02:12:13 · answer #1 · answered by plastic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's never too early to start shopping, in my opinion. Better to spread it out, than to have to spend a whole paycheck all at one time! Especially when the merchandise is dwindling and already picked over. The best sizes and colors of whatever, have been long gone.
Don't worry about getting the 'expensive' toys for your daughter. Let her go to a friend's house & play with hers! Meanwhile, you can do something more important for your daughter. Instead, buy her some toys that she can use her imagination with. I'm not sure kids know how to do that anymore, since all these new, expensive toys seem to be doing it for them! Get some tinker-toys (or Lincoln Logs, or Legos, anything she can use her imagination with) and let her build something creative! Better yet, get something you can play at with her, giving her some ideas of how to use that imagination. Later on, she can do it by herself. The time you spend with your child will mean more to her than you'll ever know. Do you remember the fancy, expensive (at the time) toys you got for Christmas, or do you remember the feeling of being with your family, spending time together?
And to Philly - banks do still have Christmas clubs, ask around. They don't play it up real big, but some do have it. Or maybe it's just credit unions.
2007-10-23 02:45:34 · answer #2 · answered by lilacsandviolets1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So what is Christmas?. It's a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
As far as I know, Jesus never said, 'Parents have to get into debt to celebrate my birthday', and He also didn't say. 'Kill trees for Christmas.'
Sometimes Christmas starts early. When we arrived in Australia in the middle of October, I went out immediately and bought, wrote and sent Christmas cards back to Europe, because otherwise I would have had to send them airmail.
Here in Switzerland there is a bit of conflict in the supermarkets. Halloween isn't over and the Christmas decorations, chocolates, cards and all the other stuff which has nothing to do with Christmas, has already arrived in the stores.
2007-10-23 01:44:20 · answer #3 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also love Christmas, and yes I have already started shopping!
I am a stay at home mom, and I babysit a couple other kids, and my husband works, but I have 3 children, and alot of bills, so yes, I love to start early!!!
I know that Christmas is not all about presents, but I still like for my kids to get nice stuff!!!
I have atleast gotten some of the more expensive items outta the way.......Like....
ipods, and playstation, and power wheels 4 wheeler!
Now, I will pick up stuff here and there until Christmas gets here!
I think it is easier for parents to do this when they have a longer period of time!
My mom always decorates the day after Thanksgiving, but is late doing her shopping!My family has always had the Christmas spirit, and we love the family getting together, and just everyone being happy.
I know that it is not even Halloween yet, but I am already getting in the Christmas mood!!!
Also as for one of the ppl that responded to your question...."FELICITY".......
No one said that Jesus said that parents have to get in dept to celebrate His Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PPL that are getting in debt are not doing it because they think that is what Jesus wants them to do......They are doing it because they choose to,and that is the way they would like to celebrate Christmas!!!
By the way....when ppl start to shop early, that makes it so they will have to be in less debt!!!
PPL buy stuff all along so that they will not have to take out loans, or run credict cards up!
And I know that it is almost Holloween, but as long as you have your Halloween stuff in the stores, then it shouldn't bother no one to have Christmas stuff in stores at the same time!
2007-10-23 01:50:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm skipping Christmas this year.
I get tired of seeing Christmas decorations, artificial trees, and wrapping paper and all in the stores starting in August.
but...
By December 15, those same stores are wiped out. BY Christmas Eve you're lucky to find a spare box of cordial cherries. Somebody buys every bit of it.
If the stores didn't start stocking the stuff as early as they do, we'd all be mad because the selection would be so crappy.
2007-10-23 01:37:22 · answer #5 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like christmas time as well. I don't like the expenses that come with it though. I usually start around september, usually stuff that is on sale. If I have time, I'll try to knit someone a scarf with 3 dollar yarn. Every little bit helps. I don't blame you for starting early.
2007-10-23 01:41:31 · answer #6 · answered by foodieness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been buying things in the sales this year, so i started really early not intentionally but if i have seen something and thought so and so would like that i have bought it ,and saved myself a lot of money into the bargain
2007-10-23 02:51:43 · answer #7 · answered by Black Orchid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think now is not too early, maybe back in september it was but right now i'm in your boat, ive decided to limit my spending to £100 this year and i'm collecting vouchers to try and stretch the pounds a bit. luckily i only have about 8/9 people to buy for this year and my xmas card list is at its lowest
goodluck
2007-10-23 01:36:29 · answer #8 · answered by Secret Lemonade Drinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've started thinking about Christmas presents for friends and also how to spend the day itself. I mean think about, if you don't want to spend Christmas with certain relatives now is the time to lay the groundwork for your excuses!
2007-10-23 01:57:17 · answer #9 · answered by caretoshare2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey hunni yeah im starting to already buy my boyfriend and familys xmas bits and bob as im at college its abit hard try to get everythink for everyone. Have a fab xmas x
2007-10-23 01:33:45 · answer #10 · answered by Candy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋