Can I say bah humbug and not be lamblasted from all points of the globe? I would love one year for someone else to play Santa in our house! I buy ALL the gifts for everyone, I hide ALL the gifts (especially from my husband - biggest kid in the house), I wrap ALL the gifts (usually late on Christmas Eve), I send ALL the Christmas Cards for everyone, I cook nearly ALL the Christmas lunch/dinner and just once, I'd like Christmas off! May as well wish my life away, 'cause no one else is going to step up to the plate for me, I'm also the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and crikey knows what else - the joys of motherhood!
Oh well, the best part is I love giving gifts, as opposed to receiving, it's much more fun! And, I think I've passed this on to my children, my 14 year old came back from the UK recently with presents for everyone except himself!

I usually buy everything last minute, but this year it will have to be a lot earlier, because I'll leave for home (Germany) in early December and I want to bring my family and friends some stuff from downunder.
It shouldn't be to hard though. They will love everything as long as it has a koala or kangaroo on it.

My sympathies Engadine, I have times (not just Christmas) where I feel like a one (wo)man army too. The solution is a whip and lots of threats.

I try to get as much done as possible as early as I can. I try to have my shopping done before Halloween, then get stocking stuffers and smaller things later on. I love getting out closer to Christmas, but don't like having to get everything during the busy time. I go ahead and wrap the gifts soon after the tree is decorated. It looks festive to have the gifts under the tree.

One way I save on doing everything at the last minute is filling out my Christmas cards while waiting on trick or treaters. It gives me something to do while I wait, and gets the cards and envelopes done ahead of time. I put them away then mail them out in early December.