specifically, for mysterious melody in my case, but any sort of luminaire stocking really.

I normally just wing it, but this year I've been saving up a cache of cool things for MM, friends AND csc. because, y'know. black friday IS coming.

I usually just wing it as well. I have a stockpile of items in my vault which I don't use and I think that others would appreciate, if that is anything? But I stock that over the year so I'm not really sure if it counts.

I should actually start stocking nice wearables, because I think the price of those will go up closer to Lumi.

I have a lot of friends (not currently accepting anymore though) and I start stocking up the beginning of the year.

well, um, earliest for me is 1 day before luminaire. xD Sometimes I buy things on the day of.

I know I sound crazy but... I just don't get buying things for people so many months before luminaire happens. I mean, what if they end up buying it for themselves after I buy it? Then I can't give it to them and I have to think of something else.

May I ask what you're stocking up for? I've never done Luminaire before and I'd love to be prepared, if possible!

presents for friends, because it's christmas. mysterious melody is a secret santa thing, so I guess the OP is getting stocked up on items they'll be sending to their partner.

Ah! That makes sense. Thanks dear!

you're welcome!

I typically keep a few wizard tokens available for MM and search wishlist items within my budget for friends. I don't "prepare" in any way except financially? I tend to be more active during that time so more restocking, more quests, more money, more games, etc. Gotta fund the Luminaire habit somehow, yaknow?

Elsa is right.. prices will definitely go up. So if there are certain things you are thinking about stocking up on, now would be the time. ;)

I usually put a number of small items under my friends' trees with one or two WL items. The WL items I don't stock up on.. as someone above mentioned, what if between now and then, they've bought it for themselves already. And the small items, are usually just little trinkets, probably stuff that they can toss in their shop, which is fine. Wiz tokens are always good. Magical Keepsake Boxes, subeautique invitations, etc. All of those are great options that can always be used or sold... and can easily be stocked up on. ;)

I don't usually do MM. I've never had good experiences... lol

More than anything, it's just about having fun! xD

I feel like I need to start stocking up early, gifts for friends anyway, but I'm always concerned they will buy said gift before I give it to them. Or no longer want it.

I didn't participate in Magical Melody much last year so I haven't really planned for it.

I stock silently all year around.

I do some low level accumulation of items thougout the year (I've got a growing collection of Subeautique items I get doubles of from Drills etc which I'm saving just for Lumi). However, I usually forget about developing a proper item hoard for MM and tree presents until about halfway through November, at which point I frantically squirrel away any item of value and interest that I encounter. MM being as hit and miss as it is, most of the hoarded items get transferred to my shop in the new year.

I hoard things in my shop anyway so there's that XD MM is always harder to gauge, i usually send a 20 wiz token to start, since theyre really easy to get, and if they send back an item of equal value, or try to one up me, then that's when it goes crazy!!

Personally I rely on my stash of currencies, the menagerie, esthers, l'amour ect for MM and as for gifts under trees and such I'm a last-minute shopper.

ive never thought about it, but this is only my 2nd. hmm might keep an eye out for things

Not after fireside, in case ZE big desirable item is released there

I start around November,

anywhere between "year round hoarding" and "last minute WL shopping" x3

I'm horrible at planning ahead. I think the most I might do is buy some ornaments before the prices go nuts. Or maybe they already are, I don't know. I haven't had as much time to be online lately with my new job so I think my friends are getting wizard tokens this year, lol. I hope they're okay with that. I don't have the funds to go wishlist crazy this year.

For MM, if I do it at all this year, I'll probably just buy things as I go. In years past though, I've gotten really bad luck with people not giving anything or just giving that day's free items. I understand when people can't afford extravagant things, but at least try to look like you put a little effort into it, sheesh.