Christmas Shopping

Moonbeam

So I have 4 small children and 3 have January birthdays so Christmas shopping starts in the August sales!!

I find that my money goes way further and a lot of places hike their prices nearer to christmas.

I have the Santa presents for #2 and #3,#4 is only going to be 8 months so gets a present just because she needs to for the older siblings sake:)

I have also organised their present and christmas clothes from my mother.

Please tell me I am not the only one?

V.W.L 11

Moonbeam wrote: »

So I have 4 small children and 3 have January birthdays so Christmas shopping starts in the August sales!!

I find that my money goes way further and a lot of places hike their prices nearer to christmas.

I have the Santa presents for #2 and #3,#4 is only going to be 8 months so gets a present just because she needs to for the older siblings sake:)

I have also organised their present and christmas clothes from my mother.

Please tell me I am not the only one?

is baby number 5 on the Christmas list

Moonbeam

no, no more ever

V.W.L 11

Moonbeam wrote: »

no, no more ever

I had 3 in 3 years myself but never say never god knows its difficult enough doing any form of shopping without the hassle of Christmas on top of it,just open the wallet/purse and turn it upside down :rolleyes:

Moonbeam

haha my eldest is only 5 so it has not got to that stage yet..I imagine back to school as way worse then christmas.

I do love both though:)

Love2love

I've started too only 2 pressies in so far. I'm waiting for the Argos 3 for 2 on all toys that's at the end of September. Its great especially for the bigger toys like bikes and such especially if you have to get more than one.....

I aim to be finished by end of October so I can start on decorations and baking ect. I always leave some smaller things to get in the run up to Christmas just for the atmosphere

Glitzgirl

Moonbeam wrote: »

So I have 4 small children and 3 have January birthdays so Christmas shopping starts in the August sales!!

I find that my money goes way further and a lot of places hike their prices nearer to christmas.

I have the Santa presents for #2 and #3,#4 is only going to be 8 months so gets a present just because she needs to for the older siblings sake:)

I have also organised their present and christmas clothes from my mother.

Please tell me I am not the only one?

I think a lot of people are starting to come around to thinking like this (shopping early ). I have always done my shopping early , I mean January sales early and continue to pick up bits through the year as sales come on. I have one 6 year old birthday in January and a one year old , 1st birthday in December, and happy to say as of last week have all their stuff got including the 1 year old birthday present, and a few bits for mr glitzgirl and my sister .

I find it gives great relief to know presents have been purchased and cost spread out. I always see people running around Smyths with a trolley in December loading up on presents and can't help but think of the implications of buying all those gifts in one go! I prefer to start early spread the cost and every year I buy a few more christmas decorations and enjoy christmas without feeling rushed.

By the way, christmas must be so much fun in your house with so many little ones!

Moonbeam

I can not wait !
Small baby is only 4 months and never having anymore ever so it is the 1st Christmas with my whole family
I got a little tikes car for my car obsessed 19 month old and 2 cars dress up suits ,and it only cost me 50 euro in total
Got the 3 year old some Lego and a silver cross pram for £30 and a dress up dress .£44 in total .
Got the 5 year old some Lego ,a dress up dress and no idea what she wants so £16 spent and who knows how much more to go !!

I am an only child so it makes it even more amazing with kids

StripedBoxers

I only have a few people to buy presents for so I usually start in September/October and buy a few bits each week or whenever I see something I know they would like.

Last year I actually started in early Sept and had it all done by the middle of November.

I'm going down the country soon for a few days and plan on hitting TK Maxx and a few of the local shops for some bits and bobs.

Zaph

For anyone wanting to stock up on Christmas crackers early, Debenhams in Blanchardstown seem to be shifting the leftovers of last year's stock at the moment. Some originally stupidly overpriced ones are reduced from €31 to about €4.50, and there are others for something like €20, knocked down from about twice that. I know there are year round Christmas shops in the States, but is this a record for the earliest that Christmas stuff has gone on sale in Ireland?

mark26ireland

Tesco have there Celebrations and Heroes out and some other Xmas sweets, picked up my first box today to stock up! Its great!! I thought I was the only SAP in Ireland that loved Xmas as much as I do, but clearly through these forums im defo not the only 1!!

baby and crumble

mark26ireland wrote: »

Tesco have there Celebrations and Heroes out and some other Xmas sweets, picked up my first box today to stock up! Its great!! I thought I was the only SAP in Ireland that loved Xmas as much as I do, but clearly through these forums im defo not the only 1!!

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

Moonbeam

I saw them and I thought those plastic boxes for 7 euro looked a bit smaller then the metal ones? possibly my imagination!

I bought 3 little slings similar to the one I carry baba in for the 3 bigger kids and I got baba a little Lamaze toy.

By christmas I can start birthday shopping lol

Loughc

Moonbeam wrote: »

I saw them and I thought those plastic boxes for 7 euro looked a bit smaller then the metal ones? possibly my imagination!

It wasn't your imagination. This years plastic tub sweets net of wrappers weigh 780g, Last year's tin was 850g down from 975g the year before.

If it keeps going like that we'd have one or two only in the tin!!

Remember the 1kg tins.... I miss them!

SMJSF

I've about 80% of my christmas shopping done just need to get wrapping paper and things that aren't out yet!

lulu1

Although my children are grown up now I used to love christmas shopping. There was one year I decided to be organised and get everything early and by end of october I had everything bought for santa. But coming up to christmas it just wasn't the same I felt I should be out shopping. But one thing I have to say christmas is just not the same when there are no kids waiting for santa

Anne Other

I am one of you!

Love the buzz, I've started picking up books for the kids......I've 4 under 7 and it helps to be organised......they are only small for a while.

I've bought some personalised decorations too!

mark26ireland

Anne Other wrote: »

I am one of you!

Love the buzz, I've started picking up books for the kids......I've 4 under 7 and it helps to be organised......they are only small for a while.

I've bought some personalised decorations too!

Where did you get the personalised decorations?

Anne Other

I got them from a FB seller ~ Conroy Keepsakes http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_conroy+keepsakes/

I have found FB very handy for some things.

I also get a few decorations from Trim the tree as gifts.

mark26ireland

Anne Other wrote: »

I got them from a FB seller ~ Conroy Keepsakes http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_conroy+keepsakes/

I have found FB very handy for some things.

I also get a few decorations from Trim the tree as gifts.

Thanks a million, think ill pay them a look!

Moonbeam

Ooh I can not wait to get personalised decorations this year I have spent 4 of the last 6 Christmases pregnant and put off getting the personalised ornaments until we were finished .
I am so excited

Anne Other

............which is why I also splashed out this year.

There will not be another!

pc7

Anyone know when Boots will have the 3 for 2 Christmas gifts in? Started my shopping today online with Debenhams and Mamas and Papas sales feel on a roll now

Cork Lass

I was in Smyths toys in Cork on Friday and they have 20% off all toys this weekend.

Anne Other

Any more tips!?

StripedBoxers

Picked up a few bits in TK Maxx today for one of my little cousins, hoping to pick up a few more bits tomorrow

shelly22

Boot have there christmas stock on there website
http://www.boots.ie/en/Christmas/

Scarinae

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to get a small baby? My first nephew, and he'll probably be 4-6 weeks old at Christmas. I know basically nothing about kids so I'd love some ideas, and even for something that first-time parents might like

SarahLil

Scarinae wrote: »

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to get a small baby? My first nephew, and he'll probably be 4-6 weeks old at Christmas. I know basically nothing about kids so I'd love some ideas, and even for something that first-time parents might like

What about a teddy bear from build a bear,that would be nice for his first christmas the bear comes with a birth cert, I got one for my pals little guy the day he was born they both have the same birthday or a bouncer chair would be handy for the little guy to sit happily and take everything in, aswell as that his parents might get to eat a dinner while the little guy is sitting happily, I know my friend and her partner struggled to eat dinner together with having a little new arrival, exciting Scarinae I'm sure when he is big enough he will tell you what present he would like, no problem at all:)

baby and crumble

SarahLil wrote: »

What about a teddy bear from build a bear,that would be nice for his first christmas the bear comes with a birth cert, I got one for my pals little guy the day he was born they both have the same birthday or a bouncer chair would be handy for the little guy to sit happily and take everything in, aswell as that his parents might get to eat a dinner while the little guy is sitting happily, I know my friend and her partner struggled to eat dinner together with having a little new arrival, exciting Scarinae I'm sure when he is big enough he will tell you what present he would like, no problem at all:)

He won't really know what you get him, but something he can have when he's older might be nice. I got my godson a really nice fountain pen with his name and DOB engraved on the lid. Obviously he won't be using it for years, but it's something he'll have for the future. If I had something like that now I'd love it.

delw

Scarinae wrote: »

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to get a small baby? My first nephew, and he'll probably be 4-6 weeks old at Christmas. I know basically nothing about kids so I'd love some ideas, and even for something that first-time parents might like

Christmas tree decoration with baby's name ( maybe parents names as well ) then they will have some thing for down the years

StripedBoxers

Scarinae wrote: »

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to get a small baby? My first nephew, and he'll probably be 4-6 weeks old at Christmas. I know basically nothing about kids so I'd love some ideas, and even for something that first-time parents might like

When myself and my cousin were babies our auntie had a book written (especially) for each of us, and in the book/story, all the characters were friends/family members etc, but myself and my cousin were the main characters in our own books.

It probably sounds a bit odd, but I'm in my mid-twenties now and anytime I pull out that book and read through it, it makes me smile and its something I love and that I'll keep forever.

I have absolutely no idea how much it would even cost to get that done (or if you can get it done still), but I'd recommend looking into it and getting it done if possible.

Lisha

I have started my Christmas shopping !!!
I just love it. But to get financial value I try to start as early as possible.

For my daughter I picked up the tall doll house which was reduced from €200 to €125.
More to follow

For my son I got one jersey, judging by his list I'll never be finished
I'm refusing point blank to buy a 7yr an iPad (ffs the world is gone mad)

For my god child I got a personalised book from the lost my name it's fab but expensive at €25! More to follow as well as a birthday gift.

For my nephew I got a set of Canterbury skins.

For husbands God child I got jersey

4 child's gifts to get yet as well as my parents, 2sisters 2brothers, and my child's childminder .

It's all a bit expensive but I love it

corblimey

Big box of Amazon stuff has just arrived, and my shopping is done! Well, not completely done, I've got a shopping trip with some nieces in the new year, but I'm done for 2014.

Vojera

corblimey wrote: »

Big box of Amazon stuff has just arrived, and my shopping is done! Well, not completely done, I've got a shopping trip with some nieces in the new year, but I'm done for 2014.

Fair play! This time last year I was done too, but this year I haven't even started planning yet. It's a bit scary!

Toto Wolfcastle

I just bought my first Christmas present! \o/

Deenie123

Hmm I'm so disorganized this year. Got my mum a W7 palette (In the buff) as a small present cos we'd both been looking at them online but couldn't find them when we went shopping, hopefully she'll forget about it. (don't know yet what to get her for her main present). Have to renew my dad's nat geo subscription. No idea about my brother, after that it's 2 grannies and a grand uncle. Both my brother and I became single during the year and a relative died so the list feels very short this year.

Sunny Dayz

Going to have to start thinking about the christmas shopping over the weekend. Got our son a pair of pjs while over in the uk last week, that's all done so far. His birthday was only last month, he needed a bike, really it should have been for xmas but we are planning on staying with the MIL a 4 hour drive away so there's no way of hiding that in the boot so the bike had to be for birthday!
So for him it will be small in size presents but no idea what to get him, he has all that he is into. Thinking of a lego box which is shaped like a lego brick for holding all his lego. After that no clue, as for the husband!

shelly22

Aldi are starting there Christmas stuff on the 2ed november

https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-2-november/

mark26ireland

The Dolce Gusto machines in Argos are less then half price around €64 if anyone is interested in making a coffee lovers Christmas, I've had loads of coffee machines / French presses and these really make the best home made cup of coffee with no hassle at all!

Anne Other

Do any pods work on them mark26ireland or must you stick with the nescafe ones?

mark26ireland

Anne Other wrote: »

Do any pods work on them mark26ireland or must you stick with the nescafe ones?

I'm not to sure Anne, I think Groupon do the odd deal with compatible pods now and again but I'd stick with the Nescafe ones, the coffee is really good out of them!

fussyonion

I only have four people to buy for, but I still manage to get myself into a panic over it.

I bought my boyf's first present-a double DVD pack of Taken/Taken 2.
I still have lots more to get but buying one present so far has really made me feel great!

leahyl

I've decided that I'm going to get all my shopping done nice and early this year so I can enjoy the run up to Christmas more! Think I'm gonna do a bit of online shopping tonight!

fussyonion

leahyl wrote: »

I've decided that I'm going to get all my shopping done nice and early this year so I can enjoy the run up to Christmas more! Think I'm gonna do a bit of online shopping tonight!

I love online shopping and I've done the majority of my Christmas shopping on Amazon.

I love curling up with a cup of tea and the debit card at the ready, browsing and putting things in my basket (I LOVE how we have a basket even though tis the interwebz!) and getting that "Thanks for your purhcase" email.
Love it.

So handy and no need to battle through the throngs in December!

leahyl

fussyonion wrote: »

I love online shopping and I've done the majority of my Christmas shopping on Amazon.

I love curling up with a cup of tea and the debit card at the ready, browsing and putting things in my basket (I LOVE how we have a basket even though tis the interwebz!) and getting that "Thanks for your purhcase" email.
Love it.

So handy and no need to battle through the throngs in December!

SNAP!

kitten_k

I have most of my present bought just a few people left to buy for thankfully.

StripedBoxers

I had bought a few bits for my wee cousins for Xmas but ended up giving them the gifts when I saw them a few weeks ago, so now I need to start again.

I only have four people to buy for and I haven't a clue what to get three of them.

For my best friend I am going to make her a little hamper like I did last year. Just get a few bits and pieces I know she will like and put them into a little basket (that she can reuse) and maybe some clothing or something too.

For my boyfriend, I'm waiting on him to tell me what he wants, he has everything he needs/wants so I find it impossible to buy for him without some help from him.

As for the others, I haven't a clue yet, hopefully will decide soon.

SMJSF

The easiest things to get people when you don't have a clue what to get them, is vouchers (all for one /penneys/dunnes/tescos/etc!) so your not driven tormented what to get them....
or my aunt used to just bring me out to toy shops when I was younger and say you've 20/30 Euro to spend for a present.... so you know its something that they'd like

mark26ireland

Anybody seen the ikea Christmas stuff? Was in there today and was a bit let down to be honest, homestore and more is brilliant!

Toto Wolfcastle

Yeah, I was in Ikea the other day and I wasn't that impressed. I couldn't find many of the things on my list even though they all had 1000+ in stock according to the stock checker. I know the stock checker isn't always great but it's never off by that much. It was all spread out too which didn't help. I'm hoping that it's just a bit early.