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My household has received the first three Christmas catalogs of this season,  this week.  Although the catalogs are interesting to page through, what to by for whom is the dilemma.  At this point in October shopping is not on the front burner of my list.  Each day getting closer to the Christmas Holiday will bring more catalogs.  I enjoy looking through them, especially after the dinner dishes are done!  If you have young children to buy for looking for that "hot toy" is more likely to be bought in a store, than a catalog the way I shop.  Sales and Coupons for store purchases will be increasing too, "Black Friday" is even getting a jump on the season with stores having great sales earlier each year.  Check your local newspaper for store coupons to clip out, and holiday catalogs offering extra savings NOW. 

This past weekend I noticed Christmas Decorations and loot for sale in several stores, and ads are showing cheery families dressed in their winter attire. It is October, can we have Halloween and Thanksgiving first?  I realize some people are already shopping for Christmas and the sales are starting to rev up for bargain hunters, however what is the rush!!!  Lets just wallow in the falling leaves-which are still pretty green here-carve some pumpkins and eat too much candy.  Of course you can compile a list, budget for those items, keep an eye out for a sale, and if you really have to, BUY it now.  The older and of course wiser I become, the thought of holidays becomes a time of family get togethers and some yummy food.  The children opening presents is fun to watch, escpecially if I have bought the RIGHT item.  Shop for bargins, don't decorate... yet.