Shopping during "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

It seems to happen to me every year, I'm in target or some other random store and realize "they are playing Christmas music".  I know it's definitely not unusual for the Christmas music to be playing before Thanksgiving these days but for whatever reason it seems to surprise me every year. So yesterday, I was completely taken aback when there was a huge cardboard cutout of Santa and all his reindeer hanging from the ceiling as I walked through the door of Target. The dollar section, full of all sorts of festive treats and trinkets… which of course does what every retailer wants to accomplish, makes me nervous! I feel like I'm way behind even though it's not Thanksgiving. Seriously, what's the rush? For me, I think the rush is that I want to make sure that my shopping is one thing I don't have to worry about as December approaches. In theory, I want to enjoy a wonderful and stress free holiday. I'm not sure if there is such a thing but that is always my goal.

In the years past, I purchased gifts all through the year and an effort to reduce the stress, only to tuck things away and forget that I purchased them… I've also been known to wait as long as I can so that I don't spend as much money but by the time I get to the store everything I wanted is out of stock. Not sure if there is one correct way to tackle Christmas shopping, but online shopping seems to be one of the easiest ways for me. This year, and focused on trying to buy gifts with more meaning. I'm trying to start a little earlier and also really think about the particular person I'm shopping for.  What would they love that they might not buy for themselves?  I also am looking for more handmade items and artisan made gifts.

Soon I'll be launching my 2014 holiday gift guide which again will focus on some of my favorite items, companies and gifts for 2014.  I hope that it's a fun journey that you'll join me on, one where you'll get some new white gift ideas and we will throw in a couple giveaways too !  So visit often to see what we're featuring!

In the meantime, what is your Christmas shopping strategy? Do you tend to buy the bulk online?  Do you fight the crowds on Black Friday? Do you shop locally? I would love to hear!