My mother has trained me well. Christmas is more than two months away and I have just about finished my Christmas shopping. I do still need to buy something for my brother, but he's easy - I ask him what he wants, he links me to his Amazon Wishlist, and we're set. He's hard to buy for, and I'd rather buy him something he wants. But for everyone else, throughout the year, as I was out and about, I kept my eyes peeled for things that would make good gifts.
I have a note clipped into my planner that has a running list of Christmas ideas for my family. This is the first year I've done something along those lines and I'm so glad I did. One thing I wanted for my dad won't be available by Christmas, but this way I've already got an idea for his birthday. I've also got my mom covered through her birthday and possibly through Mother's Day. These aren't purchase that have been made, of course, merely ideas, but that's the hardest part of the battle.
On one hand, I mock all the holiday decorations that are out in the stores, and I think it's amusing that my choir started rehearsing for our Christmas concert last night, and yet here I sit, ready for the holidays.
Of course, I will still leave all the wrapping to the very last minute. That's just how I roll.