Christmas is Coming!
Yes, it’s coming. The snow has begun to fall. The radio stations 102.9 and 108 are playing Christmas music already (are they earlier this year?) The stores are also playing Christmas music and are all decorated already. I guess if sales have been plummeting due to the economy, if I owned a store I would go all out to boost sales, too. But it is good to already be finding deals on gifts.
My favorite things about Christmas are not the gifts (I know, I’m going all touchy-feely here), but seriously, I love the MUSIC (even when it IS early), the decorations, especially the decorated houses at night with a lighted Christmas tree in the window and no other lights on, and I love looking forward to some time OFF (I feel bad for those who work in retail – Christmas Day is the only day THEY get off, if even that).
People seem to get really excited about Christmas here – the parades in downtown Minneapolis, the Mall of America (they HAVE to get excited!), churches (I work at one), all the shows and concerts that take place. One year I even noticed one of the 3M buildings off I-94 in Maplewood left a bunch of lights on at night so the lighted windows created the shape of a Christmas tree (do they still do that?).
What do we do to save money at Christmas? Start shopping for gifts early…or at least before the Christmas rush starts. Early planning is key. Order online – yes, I know this takes away from the local economy but online prices ARE often the best. But with so many stores to shop at in this area, you’re bound to find plenty of good gifts.
Where do you shop? What do you do to save money at Christmastime here in the Twin Cities?