Don’t tell me that it’s too early to plan for Christmas. Some people start on December 26. I, personally, need a few months of rest … and I love Christmas.
Yes, I realize that it’s Labor Day. That’s what brings in the start of the new season. It’s the #1 signal that it’s time to sneak in some holiday joy.
Where to start:
1. All good holiday prepping should start with a plan. Your plan should have two parts (1) how much and (2) who. If you know how much you can invest in gift and charity giving, as well as who makes the cut on your list (include charities) .. then the rest is cake.
2. Browse the Labor Day sale ads to see if anything on clearance this weekend matches with a person on your list. Grills, water-sporting goods, and summer clothing items (if you are in a warm climate, you can use these year round) will be easy finds this weekend.
3. If you want to stick a little money back now, but you are afraid you will dip into the pot and use it for something else €“ then consider buying a gift card. My daughter loves Justice. I know that I’m going to spend at least $50 there on her gifts. An easy buy for me is a $50 gift card to Justice at a grocery store offering fuel reward points. That way, I can feel like I’ve done a little Christmas planning and it’s pretty easy to keep up with the gift card.
€¦ and remember, there’s no cents in paying full price! Make a list and buy on sale. It’s never too early to start!
* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.
