The holiday season is going to be here before you know it. Gone are the lazy hazy days of summer. When the school bell rings its like a horse race running fast and furious to get the next summer.

Well lets be prepared. Let’s get some early holiday shopping out of the way so you can enjoy the season without turning that into a race too. There are so many things you can do early, starting now, to prevent that rushed and hurried time. The holidays should be a time where you can relax and be with friends and family. If you could get some of these things out of the way now, perhaps you could donate time to special holiday performance at church, a senior center or a homeless shelter.

We’ll start with probably the easiest thing but too often it gets put off until the last second and we are at the stores on Christmas Eve trying to get everything we need for the much desired Christmas stocking. On one of your many trips to the store this month you can pick up little things here and there. Your son’s favorite gum, candy bar, trading cards, sports pennant, lifesavers are almost anywhere at any time of the year

For our younger boys a quick trip to the toy isle for a ball, crayons, coloring book, a bag of cowboys and Indians would do well to fill up a stocking. Our middle school boys would probably love a DVD of their favorite movie or a CD of their favorite recording artist. Stuff a pair of socks in his stocking that has his favorite team logo on them. Our high school boys would probably like blank CD s so they can burn whatever they would like to on them. A pocket knife, a new key chain a prepaid gas card are always great things to give. Jot down some ideas and put them in your wallet and the next time you are at the store, by the end of October you are one chore down for the holidays.

If your son of any age is into sports jerseys, they are a great gift but a few rules to remember. First, they are very expensive. Secondly, if you are buying for a sport that is no longer in season, it is going to be less expensive. However, if you buy your son’s favorite player, he could be traded by next season. This is where you have to do some research by asking other males, or reading or maybe you are a sports fanatic yourself and you can tell who is going to remain with the team and who isn’t. Budget yourself now with purchasing any major league sports items and it will pay off later towards the holiday.

There are many items that do not need to be purchased during the holiday season craze. You can get them now and put them away for Christmas. Toys are timeless, movies, sports equipment, mp3 players and stereos are all available any time of the year. Gift cards are great for the older boys. You can get gift cards for practically anything; bookstores, gas, cell phone minutes, fast food restaurants, movie theaters, and even blank prepaid gift cards for any amount that they can use anywhere a usual credit card is used.

Think ahead, plan ahead. Get the little details out of the way. Find a good hiding spot and buy early to give you more money and time during the season so you can actually spend time with your friends and family and even get a chance to put your feet up!