IS it 4pm on Christmas Eve and you’re panicking ‘oh blimey, I haven’t got nan anything!’
Or, come September, are you smugly thinking about the pile of gifts wrapped in your attic.
It might mean more than you think. Psychologist Jade Thomas has revealed that you can tell a lot about someone’s personality based on when they start Christmas shopping.
Dr Thomas, founder of Luxe Psychology Practice, said exactly when you buy Christmas pressies revealed if you were a Type A person – driven, organised and methodical – or, well, a bit lazier.
There’s five types: the early bird, the summer prepper, early December shoppers, mid-December people and finally (and we all know one) December 24thers.
While many of us don’t even want to think about Christmas after the New Year rolls in, there are always some already on the hunt for the Christmas presents in the M&S sales.
Who can really blame them? According to Finder, British adults will spend on average £430 on Christmas gifts.
But it probably means you are just a little bit (and don’t come at us!) competitive.
Jade said: “These individuals might display Type A personality traits such as high achievement, competitiveness, and impatience.”
She adds they tend to find the festive season stressful and anxiety-ridden, so generally want to make sure they get a head start to actually enjoy it when it rolls around.
Those who prep for the holidays in the middle of summer are the human equivalent of a golden retriever.
They’re optimism and enthusiasm constantly shines through – even if people roll their eyes at them.
“Rather than getting sad that summertime is coming to an end, they shift your focus to the next exciting occasion in the year,” said the psychologist.
” It could imply that you are someone who enjoys events to look forward to, likes to be organised, but is confident in your love for the festive season and it does not bother you that some people might criticise you being “too early.”
“Individuals who start prepping at the beginning of December might show personality traits of being logical and orderly,” said Jade.
They can’t fathom why anyone would think about Christmas before December, and have a black and white mindset on when the festivities should start.
Although they’re easy-going and relaxed when it comes to prepping for Christmas, they’re also the kind of person to get frustrated that shops begin stocking Christmas items from September.
If you skip straight past Halloween to Christmas then you’re the kind of person who is more interested in being ahead of schedule rather than living in the moment.
“You enjoy planning and completing well ahead of schedule,” said the psychologist.
“You wish to avoid the Christmas rush that takes place from late November and December and therefore, like to be one step ahead of everyone else.”
Those who instantly think of Christmas when the days draw shorter are eager to please and love making Christmas special for others while basking in the festive season.
We all know someone who leaves their Christmas shopping until the very last moment when the shelves are clear.
These impulsive types of people tend to be carefree and rarely think twice about the festive season.
Jade said it could mean two things – you’re either really relaxed or you hate Christmas.
“It could mean these individuals do not particularly look forward to Christmas or feel less inspired by the festivities,” she said.
“Perhaps they do not hold pleasant memories of Christmas and actually find it to be a time that evokes negative memories or feelings for them such as sadness or low mood.”
