Originally Posted by sunnyday212000

Back when DH and I were in college and we had two babies (which equals $$$$ in diapers) we would start Christmas shopping in September. We were barely scraping by so it made more sense for us to purchase one or two gifts each pay period so we wouldn't have to put it on the credit cards, and after we got all of our gifts purchased we would stash any extra money we could come by to pay for gas or plane tickets we needed so we could spend the holidays with our family. I always thought it was smart budgeting and although we weren't "living on the edge" by waiting to buy our Christmas presents after Thanksgiving, I rather enjoyed shopping in less crowded stores and having plenty of time to think about what to get people. Besides, by September most stores started displaying Christmas items already. Maybe because of the economy people are starting to think more about the future and how much of a crunch it can be for many families if they wait to do their shopping later. Just my 2cents.