Christmas shopping for gifts all year long saves time and money in the long run even though it seems like I’m rushing the holidays a bit.

Why Shop for Christmas in July?

I have a large family and a short amount of time when it comes to Christmas shopping with all of the parties and events I want to attend in December.  Even if I waited until November to do my Christmas shopping there’s no way I would get it all bought, wrapped, and often shipped by December 25^th and not overextend my credit cards.

I really start Christmas shopping in earnest in July. Since I’m buying items as I find them, I can pay cash for everything and have the majority of my shopping done when December rolls around.

I don’t have big credit card bills greeting me in the New Year either.

Shopping Ideas and Great Sales Ideas

If I don’t buy actual items, I am shopping for ideas. The kid who kept pestering his mom to take a picture with her camera during our summer family reunion got a kid sized digital camera. The brother-in-law who decided not to buy some custom bar-b-q sauces while we were on a day trip got – you guessed it – a gift basket full of those very same sauces because I went back to the store the next day and bought them on the spot..

I scored a lovely designer wool scarf (that normally doesn’t go on sale) for my husband for half off for because I bought it in August.

I also have time to make gifts if I like. Last summer, my mother-in-law admired a purse I made myself. The following weekend I made her one. All I had to do was wrap it come December.

I can take advantage of my favorite places to shop for unique and well-loved gifts – local summer festivals. I may not find someone’s big gift there, but I often find many lovely little stocking stuffers like handmade soaps or candles. What a great way to support crafters and artists in my own community!

The thing I like most about gift shopping early is that I can really put some time and thought into what I’m buying for each person on my list. My family thinks I’m crazy for shopping so early, but they all admit that my gifts are usually the most thoughtful and the best ones they get all year.