Early Christmas Shopping: Is it Good or Bad?

It may sound crazy but some people do start their Christmas shopping in summer. This can be good or problematic, depending on how you look at it. Here's why early Christmas shopping can be good and bad.

Many people think that beginning their Christmas shopping very early is a good thing. They think they are saving money. In reality, they probably aren't saving much. These early shoppers are spending less money at one time, however. Starting your Christmas shopping early allows you to spread the cost around, so that you can pay for it bit by bit rather than cramming it into one month.

This same concept is why early Christmas shopping is less stressful. These early shoppers are buying a few things at a time, when the crowds aren't as big.

However, starting your Christmas shopping too early can be problematic. Let's say you buy a shirt for your niece in August. And you get a gift receipt, thinking you're all set. But what if the shirt doesn't fit, and your niece goes to exchange it? Most likely, the store won't have the exact same item in January. Retail merchandise rotates quickly. So your niece will have to exchange for a different item.

But there's another road block: the store only allows returns within 90 days, regardless of whether there is a receipt. Return policies vary by store - some have a 90 or 180 day time limit, while some have no time limit at all. Keep this in mind. If the purchase will be older than the return policy allows by Christmas time, be sure the person will probably like it.

Very early Christmas shopping also requires a good memory. I've come across people who buy little things here and there, then hide them somewhere in their house. They forget all about the purchase until after Christmas. If you buy a gift and don't give it, and it's something you don't really need, haven't you wasted money?

Another risk you're taking with very early Christmas shopping is whether the recipient will buy the same item themselves. If you managed to pick out something the person really likes, and bought it in September, what are the odds that person will see it and buy it for themselves by Christmas?

Ultimately, starting your Christmas shopping many months early, or waiting until the holiday season, is a personal decision. Just keep in mind that early shopping can be a little tricky, especially with stores' return policies.