What? It's time? Already?

Tomorrow is the official beginning to my Christmas shopping season.  This is not driven by the calendar but by a special event.  Each year all the museums in the area get together and host a museum shop sale. All the best goodies from all those different kinds of museum shops, together in one convenient location.  I always find some very special items to get my Christmas shopping off to a great start.

And then I relax because I have some shopping done early and suddenly it's three weeks later and those are still the only gifts I've bought.  Panic sets in and doesn't subside until Christmas Eve.  At least once, I will have my annual Christmas nightmare where it's Christmas Eve and the stores are closed and I don't have any presents to give.  It's my own holiday tradition.

I was on the phone with my son last week and my very efficient daughter-in-law was coming in with bags of Christmas gifts.  She will probably be done by Thanksgiving.  I never have liked her. 

How about you?  How do you approach holiday shopping?  Get it done early.  Wait until the last minute.  Start buying now and keep buying until the last minute (oh, wait - that's me).  Do you have any special shopping traditions?

Countdown to retirement and writing full time: 18 work days to go.

I'm currently enjoying: LAST TO DIE by Kate Brady.

Definition of the Day: Calories - Those little S.O.Bs that get into your wardrobe at night and sew your clothes tighter. (My closet is infested with them!!)