How early do you start preparing for Christmas?

[MeatKing]

I shop all year for stuff...

I have a few gifts for my girls that were 50% off.. Bought them and put them away.. I have stocking stuffers already too.. Sales.. I also have a bunch of stuff for Easter already... I shop the end of summer sales and save till easter.. I keep a few rubbermaid bins in my closet..

I still have tons more to buy, but I'd rather buy on sale then full price right before Christmas... (I just bought wrapping papper last week for $1.00.. Pefect!!

 

[sonew123]

I've started already...I dont decorate until Dec 1st though. I have been canning things like a mad women for gifts-My family loves it-each person gets 3-5 jars of their favorite thing I don't shop for my kids until after Nov-Nov 21st and 24th are their birthdays and Im too busy planning bday parties-Tday-hubby at hunting camp for a week...So for 10 days my house is a mess!

 

[Mattemma]

I was just telling dh that the stores around us are crazy crowded as I was shopping for halloween food party items.Already holiday stuff out for christmas.

The holiday shopping for me is a year round thing.I buy items when I see a good deal and tuck them away.The kids know to stay out of my closet because there could be presents in there,and if you see them(before time) you don't get them,lol.

We have a fake tree that is kept up and behind our huge tv.I take it out sometime in December to dust off and the kids decorate it.I find the lights rather soothing at night,so the sooner the better. I am the type who wants to hibernate in the winter and wake at spring,so I do anything to help cheer me up. I REALLY need to move.

 

[OwlLover]

Right after thanksgiving. The pine trees actually still smell like pine trees then.

 

[goobhen]

I have a large family to get presents for, I HATE to wait until the last minute to do Christmas shopping like my husband does. Then I have to find the gifts he wants to order online for his kids. I started in the middle of summer, I have bought just about all the grandchildrens gifts, some of the adults gifts, my husband's big gift. I want to be done before December 1st. That way, I can do by baking in December. I want to put up my Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, not the weekend before Christmas. This way I get to enjoy the Christmas season as much as my other family members do!

 

[MamaRoo]

Quote:
Same here. I don't have a tv, and don't shop unless I have to so it's always a shock to me when someone says "can you believe Christmas is in two days?" I've been known to scream and run out the door.

In an odd juxtaposition, I play Christmas carols all year long. I consider them folk music, and play them right along with "Turkey in the straw".

 

[terrilhb]

Quote:
X2. I refuse to give in to commercialism. So after Thanksgiving.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

After several years of last minute shopping, wrapping, baking and stress (to the point of migraines) I decided to start my shopping early this year, and wrap & label as I get home from shopping. I wrote out a schedule for my crafted gifts and all my baking will begin after the 15th of dec. I am really hoping by planning ahead I will save myself from stress and actually enjoy christmas this year!

However christmas decorations don't come up until Thanksgiving night.

 

[eenie114]

Right about now, actually.

I have LOTS of family, so shopping for and making gifts takes a while and a half.

 

[NorthestGeorgia14]

We put the Christmas tree up and everything after thanksgiving .. Outside the Christmas lights stay on the house all year.