My mother in law has this annual obsession of shopping for the holidays soon after we’ve just put away our winter clothes. Usually by August she’s done with her Christmas shopping, and come back to school, well, she’s working on her Christmas cards. Naturally, this drives all of us in the family a little nuts, especially when she buys gifts for my daughters based on what they liked last spring. As you know with preteens, what was hot in spring could be so “not” come fall. Well, at least she’s good about including gift receipts.

This year, though, I’m thinking I might just become more like my mother in law and start my holiday shopping super early. That’s because if the economy continues to tank, I’d like to get my shopping done while I can still afford it. I’m having a great 2008 as far as my freelance business goes, but who knows what the second half (which starts July 1st) will bring?

Turns out I’m not alone in wondering about the second half of the year. Some retailers are already worried about holidays sales, and not because they’re running Christmas in July specials. They’re afraid that with rising gas prices and everything else going up in price, that by November, everyone’s wallets will be all tapped out.

I guess there’s another way of looking at this dire forecast–by November, maybe there will be amazing sales all over the place to entice shoppers back into the stores. If so, then perhaps I shouldn’t start my shopping so early and take a wait-and-see approach to these holiday bargains. Then again, I’m not a big gambler. I think from here on in, if I see a good bargain on something I think someone on my holiday list would like, I’m getting it.

Hey, anyone know where I can get a good deal on a Wii Fit?