I know you don't want to hear this, but Christmas Eve is nine months from today! Of course, we are expecting snow tomorrow and temperatures more appropriate to Christmas Eve than April Fools' day.

Since I want you to be relaxed and ready when Christmas Eve rolls around, I'll be posting anothe year of the Christmas Countdown to keep you on track.

Christmas is 9 months away!

• As you travel for spring break or business, think about picking up small unique gifts from local shops.
• Consider picking up gifts at season ending sales on winter merchandise.  For example, I got m fireplace set at 75% off because it was late March.  You can also get good deals on winter clothes and sporting goods.
• If you like to make gifts, now is a great time to start thinking about what you'll make. Some things take a long time or are easier to make seasonally. For example, if you want to give folks homemade strawberry jam, you probably shouldn't plan on starting in October! At the same time, rainy spring and summer days are a great time to craft.
• Begin chatting with your loved ones about where you plan to spend the holidays.  The sooner you decide, the sooner you can start watching for airline sales.  Also, if you'll be hosting, you can pick up things you need for entertaining over a longer period of time.
• Begin saving for your holiday expenses,  Saving a little each week is far easier than trying to save large amounts beginning in the fall. Take a look at last year’s budget. Was it realistic? How much do you need to save each week to have the money put away by October 1^st? Is that a realistic savings goal? If not, start cutting now. It’s easier to make good choices when you have time available. (Also, keep in mind that buying things off season can let you get more bang for your buck! For example, you may be able to pick up new or like new Christmas decorations at a yard sale or thrift store for a fraction of the price.)

When do you start preparing?