I kid you not when I say I saw Christmas bits and bobs in the shops in the last week of August. That is definitely taking it too far. But, now is a safe time to start talking about it in my opinion, since it's not too far away.
I like to think we are pretty prepared for Christmas each year, but we then usually get towards mid-December and I panic as I realize just how much there is to do.
This year, however, I think I have it cracked. It all comes down to one simple thing - not buying too many presents. As much as we all like to pretend otherwise, the bulk of stress, buying and panic at Christmas is related to the gifts we buy others. I have found in the last few years that I spend time worrying about what to buy for others fir Christmas, and then have a stress about actually getting out and buying it.
This year, no such worry. That is because the Christmas shopping is done. Yes, it's all done. And, as I said, that comes from dramatically cutting back on how many gifts we buy.
We are going to Simon's parents for Christmas this year, so straight away we buy less as it's hard to transport. Since neither Simon nor I actually really want, or need, anything at the minute, we have taken the decision to buy one another absolutely nothing for Christmas. Not a single gift. The last 3 or 4 years we have said we will cut back on gifts and do something together instead - last year we went to London - however it still ends up being the same amount of gifts, the same worry and panic about not having enough, and buying things just for the sake of it. So, this year....nothing. I have to say it feels excellent knowing I don't have to worry about providing loads of gifts. I'm not fussed at all about not getting any either - there really isn't anything I need or want.
My sister, brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, Simon and I also do not get gifts for each other. We took the decision a few years ago that we would only buy for the kids, so that knocks another 4 people off the list. This year, we have decided that with Simon's parents and his sister we will all go away on a family holiday instead of buying gifts.....so that's another 3 people off the list!
In fact, now, the only people still on the list are Isabelle, my nephews, my parents and my 4 cousins!
So I'm sitting here, quite smug about the fact that I have finished the Christmas shopping and it's only November. Check back at the start of December as I realize that, in actual fact, I still need to get this...and this...and this....
Don't forget - you can take the pressure off your Christmas shopping by entering my competition to win a personalised ByElsieB cushion here!!