Is it too early for Christmas shopping in September?

Mariah Carey is defrosting somewhere, humming in the back of everyone’s mind. It’s September. The leaves are still green, the pumpkin spice hasn’t even cooled down yet – and yet, somehow, Santa’s already peeking out from the store aisles. Is it too early to start Christmas shopping?

On the one hand, isn’t it better to stretch out your Christmas expenses over a few months rather than putting it all on your credit card and hoping in January you can handle it? But where do the gifts all go? Are you stuffing them in the back of your wardrobe, concealed by a pile of t-shirts that you’ll forget about until February? Early shopping might ease the budget, but it also risks turning your home into a miniature version of Santa’s overstocked workshop.

Still, there are perks to being ahead of the sleigh. Shopping early means you get the first pick of the best deals and don’t have to fight through December crowds. You’re less likely to panic-buy something that screams, “This was the only thing left on the shelf!” And if you’ve ever spent Christmas Eve desperately wrapping gifts with duct tape because the stores ran out of ribbon, you’ll understand the appeal of being smugly finished weeks in advance. Just don’t forget – Black Friday and Cyber Monday arrive at the end of November, bringing with them the kind of discounts that can make even the most disciplined early shopper second-guess their September purchases.

But then there’s the magic factor. Part of Christmas shopping is the ritual: the twinkling lights, the holiday playlists, the shared sense of urgency when everyone is bundled up and dashing through crowded streets. Buying Christmas presents in September can feel a bit like eating Easter eggs in January – fun, sure, but slightly out of season. Without the cosy atmosphere, does buying gifts just become another line item on your to-do list?

There’s also the danger of “double shopping.” Start in September, and you might forget what you already bought. Come December, when the festive spirit is irresistible, you’ll be tempted to buy just one more gift. I think you also run the risk of overspending, putting little bits away in September and then constantly seeing things you know your partner or sister would love. What starts as smart planning can quickly turn into a growing pile of gifts that feels more like Santa’s sleigh than a carefully managed budget. Suddenly, your thoughtful budgeting has morphed into an overstuffed credit card bill anyway.

So, is it too early? The answer depends on your priorities. If financial planning and peace of mind matter most, September shopping could be the smartest move you make all year. If you prefer to lean into the spirit of the season, maybe hold off until the frost hits and the Christmas music is playing unironically. Either way, whether you start now or later, just don’t forget where you’ve hidden the gifts. Santa might keep a list, but you’ll need a spreadsheet.