Who has started Christmas shopping already?

Not at all!!

I believe we should all be allowed our opinion.

I think if it brings joy to people, who am I to argue.

Personally I believe it can be a very lonely time for some. That part makes me sad.

I detest being bombarded by Christmas advertising. I've been seeing them since September! It all makes me feel very Bah Humbug!

I bought my daughter an expensive item for her birthday last month and made it clear that this would also be her Christmas present! Of course she will get something. But something small. I will probably also give her (and her wife) ££££ again this year - guilt free spends to splash out on something of their own choosing. I put ££££ in savings accounts for my grandchildren for when they reach 18. They get so much stuff at Christmas and I don't think it's appreciated. If I know they need something in particular I will buy a gift but I won't buy for buyings sake. I hope they will appreciate a small cash pot when they reach 18. 

I don't do Christmas cards at all. Except for my dad. He's old school and expects a card. I gave him ££££ a few weeks ago when I visited as I know he struggles to make his pension stretch. . I doubt I will see him again this side of Christmas as he lives far away and I don't visit often. 

For me Christmas feels more like a retail festival these days and I will be pleased when it's over and done with. 

Gosh I sound like a grumpy old woman! 

Mmm..

Without knowing all the ins and outs of the relationship between you two it's difficult to answer that question.

I would listen to my gut feelings.

I find being open and honest works also.

Why not ask him why he keeps deleting messages.

That situation would mess with my mind, I don't like ambiguity, I would need to know what's happening.

A month later I texted him asking him how he was doing. I received another deleted message.  

Should I meet him in person?

Should I send him a Christmas card?

Probably nothing worth hearing!!

But good your sister sent you a birthday greeting!!

On my birthday. I got a text message from my sister and a 'Deleted messege' from my cousin, I've no idea why he deleted it after he sent it & before it arrived.  What did the original message contain?

That's sad to hearRobert124 

I'm not close to family either, only my brother and my son, and my son lives in Norway.

Im not intending on spending much. I'm just going to add a few sensory touches to my house so it feels nice.

Maybe you could try that too.(⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)

I agree, I need to christmas shop for myself.  But money is the issue.  I still have a large pack of Christmas cards for the family, it's the only thing they'll get from me.  This year I didn't even get birthday cards or acknowledgement from them.  They openly describe me as a weirdo and shame of the family.

If you only spoil yourself Robert124 it will be worth the effort!!

Yes, I was thinking of treating it more like a bonsai. It's such a lovely shape. Thanks for the pruning tips. I'll copy it into my gardening how to book.

Oh, do at least a few things. Try making something - a door wreath of greenery; mince pies using ready pastry and bought mincemeat. 

I haven't started and I might not bother at all. But I saw shops full of Christmas stuff in mid September this year.

Welcome. I like traditional too, also sparkly ones.

I've done quite a lot of it. I am one extreme or the other when it comes to present buying - well in advance or last minute. I'm just stuck on a couple of people's gifts and this has brought me to a halt.

Welcome to the forum Maggie! Hope you like it here

Hi I'm new here. My name is Maggie, I'm autistic.

7 weeks until Christmas? Yikes! Can't believe how fast this year has gone. Congrats for starting your Christmas shopping. I've been meaning to but haven't gotten round to it yet, I've been at home writing mostly though I'm intent on going out tomorrow. So maybe I'll begin then.

I have a good idea what I want to buy. Bath bombs for my Mum. Tools for my Dad. LEGO for my sister and my brother is into Doctor Who so I'm hoping to get him a Doctor Who sonic screwdriver toy/model.

I've managed to get Christmas cards already - traditional ones with Santa on them and a red post box in snow with a robin sat on it. I like traditional cards and always try to get them if I can.

The tree will last as long as you want it to.

It will get root bound, the roots will take up all of the pot, there will be little soil and it will dry out easily.

If you want to grow it for 10 years or more you need to tip it out in March, trim the roots, you can remove a 3rd, replace the soil, and it'll be happy, do every other year. It will allow space for new roots, keep it fed, and also reduce  the rate of growth.

Pruning is tricky. Firs or spruces, indeed almost all conifers, do not grow new shoots on old wood. So cutting just leaves it with nowhere to grow. Pruning is the hardest part of conifers. It is why you see butchered leylandii hedges with brown branches, only yew hedges will come back from hard cuts (it takes a few years).

You can slow it down and let it just slowly get bigger.

Or you can chop pieces out always leaving somewhere for each branch to grow. You can also chop the new growth in half, in the spring, but it will still get bigger.

It has been 20 plus years since I celebrated Christmas.

I want to gently celebrate.

I was thinking last night maybe I could buy some Christmas lights and put them on my large Monestera plant.

I don't celebrate Christmas so no need for presents. But even if I did, I've not had any money coming in for the last six months so can't afford to buy things for other people anyway.

I don't talk to my family any more so need need for cards.

Iain said:

It is just over 7 weeks until Christmas so it seems a good time for those of us who are disorganised to start planning

Ooh I love Christmas. I love being alone (after years of horrid 'family' ones). I'll repeat about my 'real' tree, which I bought around the end of November 2024 at half price, £12 for a 3' [1 metre] tree [Tesco half price these as soon as they come in, so you need to be quick]. I followed the planting instructions, buying a slightly larger air root trainer inside an outdoor container - see pics. The tree has put on 3" [75cm) this year. nb Don't plant in the garden - you'll end up with a 100' tree!   If you let your kids keep 'their tree' watered, feeding it once a month with bonsai feed, they might take to gardening and help you out . Jury's out on how many years it will keep going but  when it's transferred indoors at Christmas keep it watered and as cool as possible.

It's really expensive to buy ingredients for Christmas cake - £30 for a Dundee! I've made slow cooker mincemeat, bought a £7 bottle of Napoleon brandy and will use this for mince pies, cake - plus whatever foods taste better with alcohol. And I always buy myself presents. If you buy throughout the year then wrap them, you'll forget what's in them and still get a surprise .