By Staff
Well, for those who know me well you might find this hard to believe. It's mid-November and I've already got a good bit of my Christmas shopping done. That's a long way from where I have been. It's been a tradition for me to wait, but I'm getting away from that tradition this year.
Much to my husband's dismay, I'm sure I'll buy way more than I need to before the big day in December arrives. Apparently he thinks once I start, I can't stop shopping. With just over a month left until Santa arrives, that's plenty of shopping days.
In years past, I have bemoaned the difficulty of getting through Thanksgiving without seeing some sort of Christmas decorations or Christmas displays at the local store.
For some reason this year I'm not at all upset about seeing the decorations or specially displayed items before I carve my turkey.
For many years I have held on to my vow of not even thinking about Christmas until the Thanksgiving dishes are on the wash cycle in the dishwasher. Not this year.
For those of you who haven't started thinking about the December holiday, let me let you in on a little secret: this holiday season is going to be what realtors call a “buyers market.”
Yep, I think this year shoppers may be able to pick up on some of the best deals in years.
Yes, we're all concerned with the economy. The rising price of groceries, the threat of businesses and manufacturing plants closing or cutting back and the endless list of those we want to buy gifts for continuing to grow.
But with all of the hub-bub about the lagging economy I believe merchants are realizing, now more than ever, they have to compete for our scared dollars. That's why I believe this year will be one great year for consumers.
In just over a week, the downtown merchants here in Brewton will have an event with special prices, entertainment, you name it - and I can't wait.
I have vowed to do as much of my holiday shopping in Brewton as is possible. If it's in Brewton, then it's on my list. Otherwise, it would have to be a very unique item.
I've seen advertisements on television, in magazines and in store circulars touting holiday bargains galore. Many have offered “buy one-get one” offers that are almost too good to believe.
Because I'm looking for bargains where I can find them, I'm paying special attention to bonus sales, special shopping events and anything else that might save me some money.
I realize I'm breaking a tradition that would make my daddy mad. He always said to be thankful before anything else.
Some decorations are already up around town. With Thanksgiving falling so late in November this time, I'm seriously considering putting up my Christmas tree the weekend before I cook the turkey instead of the weekend after.
I have to have somewhere to put all those early-bought gifts.
Lisa Tindell is news editor for The Brewton Standard. She can be reached by email at lisa.tindell@brewtonstandard.com.