Holiday Shopping

Yeah, I knew that it quite letting customers put things on layaway after christmas pickups on December 17th. They stated that they were losing to much money because of people not picking up their layaways. Well, I see it differently, They will lose alot more money not doing the layaways because others will take their business to other stores that do give that option to layaway. Kmart charges a $10 fee to put things on layaway but it helps out alot when you can't afford it all at once. And I loved layaway because I could start in with my christmas shopping in August and keep it in layaway right up to christmas almost..Keeps the kids out of things and trying to find it. I have started a little christmas shopping already mostly for the girls in the family. They are easier then boys mostly and they don't seem to change their minds about what they want every five seconds atleast most of the ones I know.Well hope you have a prepaid card for those internet purchases. To bad they didn't have store to store western union..that would be cool. Someone pays for a toy on one end and the other person on the other end just has to pick up the toy. No shipping envolved would save alot of time and possibly money.

For me, it's too early to talk about Christmas much more holiday shopping...whenever the season is coming, we usually equate it with shopping...of course I could not blame people for jumping in the holiday rush say, November or as early as October because times have indeed change, and even the non-Christians are also joining in the celebration. You know for people who have less, Christmas is a bit depressing because of the stress of having none while others have. It's just as simple as that. In my case, I haven't felt yet the urge to shop for the holidays...at least I'm just thinking of what tree to buy as a decor to enliven our house....that's the most that I am planning to right now relative to Christmas.

I remember the Walmart announcement last year. I was disappointed because I use the layaway system for Christmas gifts. Besides paying it out, its a great way for the kids not to see what they are getting. I asked why they weren't doing it anymore and they said with people using credit and purchasing gift cards, it wasn't worth it financially anymore. I've already started buying for this year. I had a jewelry party so that I could earn some free jewelry for my daughter's stocking. I have a friend that sells u-stuff it type of animals (and their clothes) online and have gotten several things from her. I also belong to a group online that is like a buying group. We each have to buy something once a month from someone in the group for at least $15. We have a variety of businesses represented, so we have a selection. I have a glass candle holder coming and am getting ready to order some Avon. By spreading it out, I get a better selection and can even have some "extra" gifts for last minute.

I started right after Christmas last year. I have a closet where I store the stuff. Usually it's kind of generic gifts like accent lights for my daughters or something. Two years ago I went to an outlet mall and they had a temporary dept. 56 store and a friend was with......my whole car was full by the time we got done. I still have some of those gifts left to give!

I never use layaway for Christmas presents. I never need to. I don't spend a ton of money on presents.