I love to get my holiday shopping done long before the holidays. I start shopping in September and October.  Why start so early? 

Top Five Reasons to Start Holiday Shopping Early

1.  Get the best prices and the best selection

     Shopping early means you have the greatest amount of time to watch for the best sales, bid on items, and shop around.  It also means you'll have longer to browse and more selection to choose from before the hordes of shoppers come and snap everything up. 

2.  Have time to return things

     Let's face it, sometimes you change your mind about a gift purchase.  You'll find something more perfect at another store or you'll find the same item on sale somewhere else.  Shopping early means having plenty of time to change your mind or get your price adjusted.

3.  Avoid the crowds

     Shopping early means not only arriving at the stores long before the crowds have begun to descend upon them, depleting merchandise selection and causing long waits at the check-out.  It also means having the time to shop on-line, if you choose, and having plenty of time to get things delivered to your door (or to the door of a loved one) without having to pay for priority shipping.

4.  Avoid the stress of having to buy everything of once

     Some people (such as my husband), love the rush of shopping at the last minute.  They find it exciting to frantically search for the perfect gift amongst throngs of last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve.  The rest of us probably prefer to to get the shopping done enough ahead of time to avoid the last-minute rush and the anxiety of not being able to find the right gift in time.

5.  More time to enjoy the holidays

     Along with avoiding the stress of last-minute shopping comes the freedom to enjoy the holidays without all of that last-minute running around. Getting the shopping done early means more time to spend with family and friends (assuming they've planned ahead as well), more time for sledding, skating, baking, decorating, caroling, charity work, and any other activities you enjoy.

Happy Shopping!

For some great places to start your holiday shopping at many of the stores you'll find at the mall plus many more (1,000+ stores), click here.  As a bonus, a percentage of your purchases is donated to a needy child.  Visit My Power Mall for details.