Christmas Shopping – To Buy Early or Not (Advantages and Disadvantages)

We have entered the last quarter of the year 2009 and people are already reflecting on the coming months of November and December and their attendant celebrations. The 26th of November will be Thanksgiving Day, and the 25th of December will be Christmas Day as usual; and come January 1, 2010, the New Year Celebrations will take place. For a lot of people, the end of the year is a bitter-sweet period, a time of joyful celebrations and not-so-enjoyable expenditures.

It is already snowing in some parts of the USA and for some people; this is a cue to complete their shopping for the coming seasonal celebrations. Most of these people even begin their shopping as early as the month of January for that particular year. For these people, this is the right time to buy food items, clothing and gift items which will be used for Thanksgiving Day, the Yuletide season and of course, New Year’s Day. Other people though, prefer to buy their items when the celebrations arrive. There are arguments about which buying period is best and even sellers cannot really be sure (some shops offer Christmas products early while others wait until the season is well under way). Arguments on both sides provide reasons in favour of their preferred shopping style. So which is better? Let’s take a look at the reasons both sides have presented.

Advantages of Early Christmas Shopping

1. Broader Choice of Gifts: People can buy gifts they will not find during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Gifts such as summer frocks and hats or gardening tools are usually out of stock at such times. If you intend such gifts as Christmas presents, buying early will be your only option.
2. Freedom from the Holiday Season Hassle: Stores and shops are filled with customers during the Christmas period all wanting to buy the same products. Shopping early will allow you avoid the stress of buying during the Christmas season rush.
3. Better Budgeting and Financial Planning: You will avoid having to make all your Christmas expenditure at one time which helps you avoid falling into debt or ruining your credit payments. You can also take advantage of year-round shopping discount deals.
4. Availability of Gifts: Due to the rush that is associated with buying during the Christmas period, you may not get to buy your preferred gifts because they may be sold-out.
5. More Time to Enjoy the Holidays: People who shop early have more time during the Christmas season to participate in social activities, decorating, gift wrapping, attending naivety plays, and so on. You have more time to spend with family and friends.

Disadvantages of Early Christmas Shopping

1. Holiday Shopping Deals: Despite the availability of year-round shopping deals, the best discounts are to be had during the Christmas season. If you buy a gift item early, then you will miss out on the opportunity to get it for less money if it is offered in a Christmas shopping deal.
2. Loss of the Chance to Buy Later Released Items: Shopping early for Christmas gift items means that you will not get to purchase any items or products that are released after your shopping is done; unless you spend extra.
3. Buying What People Might Buy For Themselves: When you complete your Christmas shopping early, there is good chance that people might buy for themselves, the same items you bought for them before you have the chance to give them their presents.
4. Changing Wish-lists: If you do your Christmas shopping early, you may find that what you have bought for someone e.g. a child (because you think he or she likes it) is no longer what the person wants. 

Do you carry out your Christmas shopping early?

Do you wait until the Christmas season is underway?

Whichever shopping period you prefer, this article is only intended to highlight its pros and cons.