Image via WikipediaI know. I know. It's only the start of 2011 and I am talking about Christmas. What's up with that? Well, today is the last day of January 2011. One-twelvth of the year is already gone. The way I look at it is if you plan and prepare for this big holiday season, it doesn't have to have such a large impact on either your psychological well-being or on your pocketbook.Now is the time to make a list of all the people you want to buy for this Christmas. Make a tentative list of what you plan to spend on each person. If you have ideas for personal gifts, write that down too. Carry this list with you when you go shopping. That way you can take advantage of bargains and sales throughout the year and as you mark off each name you can guage your readiness for the season. Who knows, maybe by Thanksgiving you can be totally through with seasonal shopping and focus more on enjoying the social activities of the holidays.
There is no time like the present to get started. My list is ready. Is yours?
