I like to start my Christmas prep around mid-year, especially if I spot sales like mid-year toy sales or end-of-season discounts. It helps spread out the cost and avoids the last-minute rush. I usually begin with gifts for kids because they’re often the most straightforward, especially if they’ve been dropping hints or if I can take advantage of a sale.

By September, I start thinking about adults’ presents, making a list, and keeping an eye out for deals. In November, I plan out the food side of things, deciding what’s on the menu and buying non-perishables early. For perishables, I wait until a week or so before Christmas, but I always try to get ahead with baking and prep where I can.

Boxing Day onwards is the best time to buy things like Christmas wrapping paper, napkins, crackers, etc and you can get them often for a fraction of the original price.
Buy gifts throughout the year as you stumble across things on sale.
For kids buy clothing a size or two up in the end of Summer sales.

I’ve never had a Christmas routine. I generally purchase in December. There are constant sales throughout the year and I’ve heard way to often people spending heaps on Christmas toy laybuys mid year, and then the kids not being interested in those toys/themes anymore. If you can do it, make a Christmas bank account and deposit small amounts throughout the year just for the Christmas period for presents, food, activities etc..

Last year we went on holiday and decided not to do any presents at all; best ever ! to be repeated

I buy gifts throughout the year and start buying cooking ingredients in early December.

I start around June for small stocking fillers, and start looking seriously for bigger presents around the start of November. You can’t go too early with kids, they’re changeable!

I start my prep on boxing day for the following year. Then throughout the year, if I see something on special etc I get it. I have a list of people in my life (adults kids etc) and when they mention etc, or if i know what they like, If i see items throughout the year I get them. i don’t like Christmas shopping as Its a trap to spend more money so I am normally done by October.

If I see anything early in the year I get it and put it aside for Christmas. Otherwise I do most of my shop in November.

I try to start around the end of November. Lots of giftpacks are out which are great value, lots of sales are starting to happen including black Friday and cyber Monday. I also try and finish or get most done before school finishes because it’s way quieter and easier without the shops full of kids. We keep the food prettty simple in our family so there’s no food preparation weeks in advance.

Food prep starts about two weeks out from Christmas.

I buy gifts when I find them on special.

I start buying as soon as I can I have a permanent box for putting things away for xmas I am half done already this year when I see something on sale that’s a good fit for someone I grab it.. spreads the cost out. Also I make a gift list in January with a list of people a per person budget and gift ideas do i know where I am up to. Also grab grocery gift cards when you have money save them up for xmas food shop.

I start with the new year sales by picking up things for the stockings & presents for older members of the family & restart a Xmas club with our bank. I also pick up bits and pieces on sale during the year that I know the kids will like.

I buy all throughout the year and hide them in the cupboard

Without fail Christmas sneaks up on me, I mean how am I supposed to remember it happens at the same time every year?!!! I start thinking about it around April when I may buy one or two things, think I’m on top of it all because I’ve already started and have soooo long until December anyway. Then. Bam!! It’s next week! And I’m that crazy lady you see running around the store with wild eyes (sometimes foaming at the mouth a little).

Kind of depends who I’m buying for…
Adults… get the usual wine and chocolate, so whenever it’s on special.
Teenagers… gift cards so last minute.
Little kids… through out the year when toys are on special

Mom119766 – I love to see the Flybuys dollars adding up over the year and then it makes Christmas food shopping so much easier and good on the budget.

Ive started putting my woolies rewards away for Christmas and will do the same with flybuys.

I buy throughout the year and use Flybuys dollars for Christmas food.

I’m always putting things away for xmas, if I see something that would make a good xmas present for someone, even if its at the boxing day sales, I buy it, saves me a lot of stress.