It is definitely not too early to be talking about purchasing Christmas gifts. In fact, it's not too early to be talking about purchasing gifts for next year!
There will be a ton of sales between now and the day after Christmas but be cautious that it's really a good sale. If you see that your local discount store is selling a laptop for a couple of hundred dollars less than you've seen them anywhere else, be sure to read the fine print--what are the components, what kind of service can you get one it, is there a guarantee--all that stuff.
When things appear to be deeply discounted, it's also a distinct possibility that the original retail price has been exaggerated. This actually has nothing to do with holiday gift-giving but the best example I can think of where this is concerned is the cost of soft drinks. I was trying to make a point to a friend of mine about how much soda to buy when it's on sale. Since I didn't actually know the full retail price (since I've never bought it when it wasn't on sale) I went to take a look at what was on the shelf, right above the sale price. It was over $11 a 12-pack! Are you serious? $11+? Who in the world would pay that? I don't really know if they ever sell it at that price or if it's always on some kind of sale but when I can find it for less than $5 a 12-pack nearly every week of the year, I consider a price over $11 to be set to make people feel good about spending almost $0.50 each for a soft drink.
Anyway, the same thing can happen for all products and it's even more prevalent during the holidays. Keep your eyes peeled. Keep you list on your person no matter where you're going (cleanliness may be next to godliness but being prepared is right up there on the list).
Oh, and if you were paying attention last year, you will have gone out and purchased your cards, decorations, wrapping paper, and specialty serving dishes and such just after the holidays last year. It's time to get that out and dust it off and see if there's anything still left on your list of holiday items you'll want to get for around the house.
Shop early--shop frugally--the holidays are so much more fun when you don't spend more than you can afford and when you can spend time with your friends and family rather than being out shopping on those last few days before Christmas.
Enjoy...
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