Has anyone else begun their Christmas shopping?

I have to admit that I am one of those people who buys their cards and wrapping paper in the January sales most years, so in that regard I started months ago!

A few weeks back I saw some pyjamas I thought my boys would love.  I thought I'd just make a mental note and come back and get them closer to Christmas - always like to have new pjs at Christmas.  Then I remembered last year's fiasco when I saw a toy we wanted and didn't buy it straight away.  We ended up getting it in March this year.  I bought the pyjamas.

Since then I have been buying little bits and pieces.  It does spread the cost a bit and helps me not to get too stressed out.  We don't over celebrate Christmas but we do celebrate and I really like thinking about what would make someone else happy without spending a fortune.  Some people are so easy - like my parents who are almost always delighted with whatever we buy for them, even it is something 'boring' - probably because it is something they actually need.  Others are much harder, because for me, it has to pass the 'useful and wanted' test.  I can't tell you how many times I've read recently in the press or on blogs that 'we need to stop buying rubbish for each other at Christmas'.  I never have done!  I guess a lot of rubbish is sold, but it isn't me buying it!

Besides all that there are some people I don't see very often for whom I like to buy a small treat - like my brother and sister-in-law in Canada.  If I can avoid posting these items it makes life easier cheaper so I will also admit to having wrapped several gifts already and having passed them on!