Getting your Christmas shopping done early is not just about bragging rights. It’s about saving money, and that’s a Christmas gift you can give to yourself! You may wonder if you really save money by purchasing early. Aren’t gifts going to cost the same, regardless of the time of year? Not necessarily ? here are some points to consider as you decide when to start your Christmas shopping.
* Last-minute shopping can result in over-spending, because you don’t have time to look for a bargain and because you are more desperate to buy. Also, waiting until the last minute brings about disorganization, and you may forget someone on your gift list or accidentally buy twice for someone.
* Starting early gives you time to make a gift-giving list, get your finances in order, and really see what you are going to spend. Then, you can just “keep an eye out” for gifts while you do your regular shopping. This will give you a chance to pick a gift that really fits the recipient.
* When you start Christmas shopping early, you have time to look for sales and bargains. During the summer months, for example, retailers often put their inventory on sale because business tends to be slower during the summer. And if you start really early, after-Christmas sales can present a real bargain. Buying gifts in January and February, when retailers offer free shipping and low prices on inventory that didn’t sell over the holidays, you can save a lot of money.
* Take advantage of online bargains at sites such as eBay. You’ll have the luxury of choosing slower (and therefore cheaper) shipping methods rather than paying extra for rush delivery.
* When you get your shopping done early, you can relax and enjoy the holidays without facing crowds, bad weather, or other shopping stress. If you are not distracted by scrambling to buy multiple Christmas gifts, you can attend or host parties, visit out-of-town friends, and spend more time with loved ones.
* Gifts mean more to the recipients if they are not the result of last-minute panic. Most people do not want a gift that was purchased just to give “something.” They’d much rather be given a present which shows that some thought ? and therefore some time ? was put into its purchase.
* If you normally mail Christmas presents to out-of-town friends or family, getting those packages into the mail well ahead of time assures the items will get there by Christmas.
Getting those presents purchased early will free up time for friends and family, save you money, and give you those envied bragging rights.
