Meet The Mums Who've Got It All Wrapped Up!

One in four of us starts our Christmas shopping in September. Three early-preppers tell us why it makes the festive season even more wonderful

- Kate Jackson And Alley Einstein

‘Every week, I have a full Christmas dinner’

Sally-Anne Rayner, 44, lives in Helston, Cornwall, and is a mum of four.

As soon as the school summer holidays are over, my tree goes up, the festive music starts playing and wrapped presents go under the tree. I can’t control my Christmas glee.

I spent my childhood in foster care and never had a big family festive period with everyone in their pajamas unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning. When I had kids, I vowed it would be different. Since I was 19, I have started my celebrations 100 days before Christmas.

This year, I dragged my tree and decorations down from the loft on 21 August and put on the carols. I started shopping last Boxing Day and now have 30 wrapped presents under the tree. By 25 December, this will be 300 to 400 gifts.

Splashing out

I ask my children – Luke, 22, Tori, 20, 19-year-old Kiera and 15-year-old Mica – for wish lists in January and updates throughout the year. I spend up to £800 per child and don’t consider 50 gifts each to be outrageous. I spend £500 on friends and £500 on extended family.