When do you start shopping for food for the big day?

I was just thinkng about when would be a good time to start buying food for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve and I wondered when you all start?

I usually start to get food at the end of November but I guess some stuff could be bought earlier.

I dont really buy alot of extra food as we go to my mam and dads for xmas dinner and we dont have many visitors (oh dont we sound popular ) Although I have bought 3 packs of pringles as they were on offer in asda and have the middle of 2010 on

Lol we don't exactly have loads of visitors either, we just sort of have mini party sort of things all the time and need things to take or have if we host them, etc. We usually end up unwrapping the presents in the morning and then eating all afternoon on christmas day though xD

I am quite sad and start in August once kids have gone back to school. I try and buy something each time I do a shop and then dont notice it as much. I also make a food hamper for my in laws and buy something each week for that.

Last year I got ( apart from turkey) all my Christmas dinner at bargainous prices, pre cooked it and froze it;eg: roast potatoes were 20p for a bag of spuds and parboiled them and froze them. Parsnips were about 6p for a bag. Cranberries were 10p a bag, made c'berry sauce and froze it! Had a seriously delicious kelly bronze turkey to go with it all.

That does sound like a pretty good idea. I suppose it doesnt seem so much like a massive shop then if you're buying it gradually.

Ffood hampers are often a nice idea to give as a gift as well. We used to give my grandparents a food hamper until they died and they always really appreciated it.

Wow M'hags, you're organised!

I love the idea of preparing some veg before hand and freezing.

I love to do the Christmas food shop, it's one of my favourite parts of Christmas. I usually start in October and I buy crackers, pate, chutneys, chocolates and biscuits and buffet type foods for when people come over. I also decide on all the recipes I want to bake and buy the ingredients.

Yeah, the idea of one big shop is quite appealing. We used to do it like that when I was really little but it was too hectic. And I can't wait that long anymore.. xD
Buying things like crackers and chocolates early would be a pretty good idea in this house, although they'd probably get eaten... Lol