How early do you start your Christmas shopping/planning?

I cheat simply because I can't bare the mad rush and stampede around December, and the fact that I hate crowds and hate shopping! So I look around for presents all year round! And I have to say I am pleased that even by November this year I had most of my presents! Only my parents left to buy for! Whenever I see a bargain usually on Ebay or if I win something from the various online competitions I do throughout the year, I will say, that's for my cousin or that's for my friend and I have a box which I keep everything in! Works a treat so no worries, no stress and no Oh no I've got everything to get with only two weeks or so left! Plus it saves me a fortune but stretching out the cost.

We have very simple Christmas decorations so we really don't prepare much. Infact, last Christmas, we weren't able to put up a Christmas tree! Just a little bit of wall decors. But what we do prepare ahead of time is our Christmas presents. We have so many relatives - kids most especially - that we want to give gifts to. When we can see items in the malls that we think our relatives would like, we buy them ahead of time.

I usually start my Christmas shopping in January. I have a large family, so if I see something that my Mom or Grandmother, etc...will like than I will purchase it and put it away in safe storage. That way I am not rushing around trying to get everything at once, and I don't forget anyone in the process.