Christmas Shopping in Texas: When Is A Good Start Date?
The holiday season is all about food, festivities, and, of course, gift-giving. The spirit of Christmas spurs many of us to shop for friends and family, but is it ever too early to start Christmas shopping?
KGET TV posted an article months ago about "Christmas in July" and when it's best to start holiday shopping. How early is too early in the Lone Star State? Since this Texan has always wondered, I wanted to find out and settle the debate.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN TEXAS: WHEN IS A GOOD START DATE?
Some Texans believe in starting as early as the summer months to take advantage of big sales and promotions. For many, early shopping takes care avoiding the last-minute rush and the risk of not finding that perfect gift. Starting shopping earlier also allows you to pay things out over several months, so the financial burden doesn't all hit in December.
Shopping early can also come with pitfalls too. Texas trends can change, especially when it comes to kids and teenagers. Something that's a hot item in June might be old news come December.
Then there's always the inevitable risk of forgetting where you've stashed those early-bought gifts. It happens to me almost every year.
It seems like stores in Texas start their Christmas promotions earlier each year. I've even seen them pop up the day after Halloween. The bottom line is to strike a balance. Starting holiday shopping a month or two in advance gives you plenty of time to plan, budget, and think through your gifts, so they are up-to-date and perfect for giving.
There's no hard rule on the perfect time to start Christmas shopping. Personally, I'd go with a more balanced approach, perhaps starting in the early fall. That way you can take advantage of planning ahead without jumping the gun.
The whole Christmas shopping game can be stressful, but there are ways you can make things easier on yourself. For some great tips, just look below.
