I’ve done my Christmas shopping for 23 people – reason for July 14 deadline

A CHRISTMAS lover has completed all her holiday shopping five months early in order to snag a bargain.

Pennsylvania sports publicist Deitra Redd told The U.S. Sun she has already bought presents for all 23 members of her family to take advantage of discounted items in the Christmas in July sales.

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With a self-imposed deadline of July 14, Redd said she always organized the gifts months ahead of the holiday season to ensure she could stick to her budget.

“Christmas comes up so fast and it is only one day so I try to make the most of it,” Redd told The U.S. Sun.

Redd said she shops each year for 23 members of her family including uncles, aunties, cousins, and siblings.

SET A BUDGET

The sports publicist sets herself a budget of around $1,700 each year, or about $150 per person, and makes sure she sticks to it.

She bought most of her gifts this year from major retailers, including Nordstrom, Macy’s, Coles, Target, Old Navy, and Victoria’s Secret.

She also shopped online at major shops such as Amazon and paid to compare prices on different sites to ensure she was getting the best deal.

While some shoppers leave their purchasing to last-minute Black Friday deals, Redd said she liked to do her shopping early to avoid the chaos of malls during the holiday period.                 

“My cut-off time for myself is July 14 because most of the major brands do Christmas in July sales then, and so then I get everything I can except for the stocking stuffers,” she said.

“Throughout the year, I listen to what my family members might say, then pick up on what they say and things that they want.”    

Redd said she had bought a variety of gifts in the sale, including luxury items, books, clothing, bed sheets, earrings, and other jewelry.              

SUPER SAVER

Consumer advocate expert Michael Podolsky told The U.S. Sun that early preparation for Christmas shopping may be the key to saving money this holiday season.

According to a survey conducted by Podolsky’s consumer advocate review platform, almost 25% of respondents have already started their Christmas shopping.

With ongoing inflation issues affecting all American consumers, Podolsky said people should try to avoid “impulse buying and deals that are too good to be true.”

Taking advantage of comparison shopping and reading customer reviews could help you get the best price and deals without losing in quality.

Michael PodolskyCEO and Co-founder of PissedConsumer.com

CRAZY FOR CHRISTMAS

A diehard Christmas lover, Redd said she puts her Christmas tree up right after Thanksgiving to make her home feel festive and will not take it down until January 12.

“I just like to make the holiday season last as long as possible,” she admitted.

Redd added that she will always buy gift cards as last-minute stocking stuffers and will wrap the presents closer to the big day.

She said she has plenty of space to store the gifts at home in a spare bedroom, where she also keeps extra gifts.

“They are stored between bedrooms and basement,” she said.

“I have a gift tote that we keep for extra gifts if someone drops by and I need a quick gift.”

The U.S. Sun covers all things money, including tips on how to stick to your budget.

The U.S. Sun in September reported frustration among shoppers after Costco rolled out Christmas displays in stores three months ahead of the big day.