How to Have Your Christmas Shopping Done Before Fall

I love Christmas time. I love the festivities, the decorations, the colors, the feel...I love everything about it, except the shopping. I think every year the crowds get bigger and the attitudes get meaner. From Black Friday to Christmas Eve shopping is a nightmare. It's almost as if some secret enemy infiltrates the public venues and pours out an invisible gas that heightens aggression and selfishness. I try to stay as far away from the crowds at Christmas time as I can. But, I can do that these days because I have found ways to have my Christmas shopping done way before the holidays approach. By the time my children are in school, in fact, I have most if not all of my future gifts tucked safely away in their hiding spots.

I start shopping for the following year the day after Christmas. This is, of course, when all the Christmas items go on clearance. You can get some really great deals. I have managed to find Christmas decorations for the following year at 90% off the original price.

I make a list of people I want to buy for, and keep that list with me in my purse, hidden away. I also have the same list saved in a secret file on my computer. When I see something the day after Christmas that I believe would fit a person on my list's needs or wants, I get it, check their name off, and then write what I bought them in my file on my computer so I can keep up.

Throughout the year I also keep my ears pricked for stores that are going out of business, moving, downsizing, or getting rid of seasonal merchandise. These are also great places to find great deals.

One of my favorite places to shop is Hobby Lobby. If you sign up for their weekly newsletter, they will let you know the items that are going on sale the following week, and you get a coupon. Most of the time the coupon is for 40% off of any one item in the store. I have bought many things in this way. My son loved model trains, which tend to be rather pricey. I got him a really nice one for 40% off. They also carry all kinds of glassware, home items, bags, puzzles, toys, games, and craft kits. If you take your time, you can get sets of things for one person, and get that 40% off each one.

The Hobby Lobby discount is especially nice if you are a crafter, and intend to make some or most of your future Christmas gifts. You can get what you need over time and still pay much less than usual. It helps to get started on these projects as soon as possible, however, to insure that you have them completed in time to give.

I sign up for department stores weekly notifications too. I have gotten great discounts off of name brand items this way. Bags, scarves, purses, perfume, and electronics can be bought this way for great discounts.

I try to be careful about buying electronics too far away from Christmas though. If something goes wrong, it is nearly impossible to return if the purchase is made too far in advance. However, if the deal is too good to pass up, making sure that the item has a 1 year warranty keeps you fairly safe. So far I haven't had any hitches.

By using these methods, I have been able to avoid the masses at Christmas time, and I have noticed that year after year, I have saved way more money than I would have if I had tried to take advantage of Black Friday prices. Not only am I already done with my shopping, but I don't have to stand in line in the cold for hours waiting just to get a good deal.