Early Bird Christmas Shopping

I think it is smart to start Christmas shopping early. Many people start the day after Thanksgiving. You can find huge sales in about every store around, especially for huge items like electronics. Check out large chain stores that specialize in electronics or office equipment, for example (best buy, office depot, staples, and circuit city). Prepare yourselves for a stampede when those doors open at 5:00 am Friday morning. If at all possible, leave kids at home.

Safety is definitely an issue with early bird shopping after Thanksgiving. In the past, shoppers have been severely injured while rushing in. Every year it's on the news how people go crazy over sales and hurt each other. There are cases where children have been hurt due to shopping cart injuries. I was reading the National Safe Kids Campaign's website (safekids.org ) one day and it said that in 1999, almost 23,600 children in this country were treated in emergency rooms for injuries involving shopping carts. Children that aged 4 and under were the majority.

They can get fractures , head injuries, and damage to internal organs, which is very serious. Escaladtors are another potential hazard for children if left unattended. Please be aware that a child can get their hands caught between moving parts of a handrail. Watch out for the comb plate at the bottom of the escalator. Loose shoestrings can definitely get caught.

There are safer ways to shop. Try online shopping. It's becoming more and more popular. Many of these large chain stores also have an online store. Sometimes, you can find items that are not in the local stores. With some, like walmart.com, you can even due a site to store pickup with free shipping. If you don't know , this is orderig online and picking it up at the local store location.

At target.com, you spend $50 on clothing and get free shipping. You spend $125 and save 15% plus free shipping on select furniture items. Bestbuy.com requires a $199 purchase for free shipping. Avon.com has lots of sales. Saves a lot of time and is a lot easier. No long lines and you can even shop in your pajamas. They even allow gift card purchases online allowing your recipients to do their own searching and bargain shopping.