Christmas Shopping

Everyone seems to be asking if we've begun our shopping or maybe even finished it. I guess no matter what my circumstances are I tend to follow my same schedule for this time of year. I try and have gifts for a small group of family members done by the middle of Nov., just in time for a birthday party that happens then. That's the first stage and there is a sense of relief when that happens. The next stage is putting together any packages that need to be mailed and I try and have that done close to Thanksgiving. At that point things get kind of tight and weather permitting, I take off to the stores to focus on the last round. I decided a long time ago - probably when I worked at the mall, to delay my shopping until Tues., Wed., and Thurs. only. Weekends, Mon., and Fri. have always been too busy for me. I understand there are good sales going on but it's just not worth it to me. Avoiding traffic has been a major reason for me doing more online shopping the past few years, along with notices that an item is not available in the stores. I just have to remember to give myself even time for delivery, which I think will be fine. I've also started making gifts or should I say finishing some. I'm also planning a trip to Goodwill to hopefully give someone else a chance to pick up something for someone else at a reasonable price. So I'm officially in shopping mode as long as our weather holds up.