by Reanne Heard

Created on: March 19, 2009

Alright boys and girls, first a pop quiz. It is a multiple choice question, and it's a fairly simple one.

Q. When should you start shopping for Christmas ?

A.) On December 24th
B.) Somewhere in December
C.) Now, while Christmas is still nine months away

If you answered C, you are one smart cookie (a sugar cookie with butter icing, of course). Why does this even matter, you ask. Ha ha, silly you.

It's only thirty six weeks till Christmas, which translates into a little over nine months. And while Christmas is about The Gift, instead of gifts, things, and money, those things are that this article will focus on today.

At the end of the a fore mentioned nine months, you could be sipping happily on a glass of eggnog, listening to other haggard shoppers regale you with their war tails of Christmas shopping. Or you could be one of them, it's your choice.

How can you keep from being "one of them?" Simple, heed this advice. This article will show you how you will benefit, by starting your shopping now.

#1. You Can Catch Something On Sale

There are certain things that go on sale, when the weather starts turning warmer. Winter clothing is one such item. Why not pick up a warm coat or screened hoodie for you teenager, while they're at a discount. You might even end up finding something that was on someones list last year, that you couldn't afford then.

#2. You Can Take Your Time

Remember that feeling you had when you were in the store on Christmas eve, fighting over the last video game that your child just had to have? Well if you start shopping now, you can skip that lovely time. Take your time shopping, peruse the isles freely, feel free to take deep breaths, and get the things you actually want.

#3. You Can Pay It Off

Along with Christmas shopping and gift giving, comes credit card bills that you're still trying to pay off the next summer. So why not try and get a jump on that too. Buy things while they are on sale, put things on law-a-way and pay them off by summer, and buy a little at a time.

Well, those are the main reasons you should start your Christmas shopping now. I'm sure if you really think about it, you can come up with a lot more.

Remember also to write out a list, and grab a few extra gifts for those special people like pastors, teachers, babysitters, mailmen,etc..

It might be a good idea also, to have a few additional non gender gifts too. That way if someone extra is brought to your family get together, you will have enough presents for all.

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