What I’m Buying Before the Holiday Rush — And What I’m Not
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Every year the holidays seem to do the same thing.
October starts and I think, Oh, I have plenty of time.
Then somebody flips a switch, suddenly it’s December, shipping dates are getting questionable, everything I actually wanted is sold out, and the internet is screaming:
LAST CHANCE!
LOWEST PRICE OF THE YEAR!
ONLY 3 LEFT!
Nope.
Not this year.
I already did the important part: I made a holiday shopping budget before Christmas started spending it for me.
I’ve saved $1,500 for the holidays, and that money has a job. The goal isn’t to spend all $1,500 just because I saved it. The goal is to enjoy Christmas without January Gigi opening the credit-card statement and wondering what the hell December Gigi was thinking.
So before the holiday shopping rush really gets rolling, here’s what I’m buying early — and what I am absolutely NOT buying.
BUYING: The Big Holiday Decoration I Already Decided I Wanted
I’ve talked about this before.
I don’t want to buy twenty little Christmas decorations just because they’re $12.99 and cute.
I would rather buy one statement piece that actually changes the way the space looks.
For me, that’s a big pre-lit wreath.
I’ve been looking at the oversized 48-inch wreaths because I want something substantial enough to make an impact instead of disappearing on the wall.
🛒 GIGI’S PICK: GO BIG OR GO HOME
48-Inch Pre-Lit Christmas Wreath
If you’re going to spend money on holiday décor, I like the idea of choosing one piece that does the work of ten little ones.
Shop 48-inch pre-lit Christmas wreaths on Amazon
WHY I’D BUY IT EARLY: This is a specific item on my Christmas plan. I’m not discovering that I “need” it because somebody put a red SALE banner over it.
NOT BUYING: A Cart Full of Little Christmas Decorations
This is where they get me.
A little Christmas tree for $14.
A cute Santa for $9.
Another pillow for $18.
A sign that says something about hot cocoa.
Individually, none of it seems expensive.
Then you look at the cart and somehow you’ve spent $187 on things you didn’t know existed 20 minutes ago.
I already have Christmas decorations.
Actually, let me correct that.
I have a LOT of Christmas decorations.
We’re doing three trees this year: my main red candy-cane Christmas tree, my blue-and-silver tree, and my little black Nightmare Before Christmas tree in the kitchen.
I do not need a fourth theme.
I do not need twelve more tabletop trees.
And I definitely don’t need another Christmas pillow telling me it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
I know.
BUYING: Gifts I Already Know I’m Giving
This is probably the biggest change I’m making.
If I already know somebody is getting something, why am I waiting until December to buy it?
I’m starting with the people I already know I’m shopping for and working from there.
Not because I want Christmas shopping finished tomorrow.
I just don’t want to be panic-shopping later.
🛒 SHOP THE IDEA: GIFTS BEFORE THE PANIC
Amazon is still one of the first places I’ll check for practical gifts, stocking stuffers and those things I already know someone wants.
Shop holiday gift ideas on Amazon
But I also want some gifts to feel a little more personal.
Jewelry is one of those categories where I can choose something based on the actual person instead of grabbing another generic gift set.
🛒 GIGI’S GIFT IDEA: SOMETHING PERSONAL
Hey Happiness has necklaces, earrings, bracelets, jewelry sets and personalized pieces that can work when I want a gift that feels more intentional.
Shop Hey Happiness Personalized Jewelry
GIGI’S RULE: If I already know I’m buying it, buying early makes sense. If I’m buying it because a sale convinced me I suddenly need it, that’s a different story.
NOT BUYING: Gifts Just Because They’re on Sale
This one needs to be tattooed on my forehead before Black Friday:
A sale only saves me money if I was already going to buy the thing.
A $100 item marked down to $60 doesn’t mean I saved $40 if I never planned to buy it.
It means I spent $60.
That doesn’t make sales bad.
I’ll absolutely watch for a sale on something that’s already on my list.
But I’m trying very hard not to let retailers write my Christmas list for me.
My list comes first.
Then I look for the deal.
BUYING: My Holiday Outfit Before I Need It
Now we’re getting into Gigi territory.
I know there will be holiday get-togethers, dinners, photos and those moments when I want to look festive without feeling like I’m wearing a Christmas costume.
I would much rather figure that out early than stand in my closet 45 minutes before we leave saying:
I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR.
While BigDog wisely says absolutely nothing.
🛒 SHOP THE LOOK: HOLIDAY WITHOUT THE COSTUME
Unique Vintage has some seriously fun holiday pieces—and I like that not everything screams Christmas costume. I found everything from playful plaid to vintage-inspired suits and classic black pieces, with extended sizing available in parts of the collection.
Shop Unique Vintage Holiday Dresses
Not every December day calls for a party dress. I’m also watching Zeagoo for cozy layers, jackets and sweaters that feel festive now but won’t suddenly become useless on December 26. Those are the holiday buys I like best—the ones I’ll still be wearing in January.
That’s important to me.
If I’m buying clothes for the holidays, I want to be able to wear them again.
NOT BUYING: Five “Just in Case” Holiday Outfits
I need an outfit.
Maybe two.
I do not need seven.
There is a difference between having options and creating an entirely new Christmas wardrobe because the internet showed me a woman looking adorable in sequins.
This is where being 68 actually helps.
I’ve been around long enough to know myself.
I’m going to reach for the comfortable thing.
I’m going to want layers.
I’m going to add jewelry.
And if something pinches, scratches, rides up, requires special underwear, or makes me miserable after 20 minutes?
I don’t care how cute it is.
It’s staying home.
BUYING: A Few Pieces That Make What I Already Own Feel Festive
This is where accessories earn their keep.
Give me jeans, a simple top, a jacket and some jewelry and suddenly I’ve got an outfit.
That makes more sense to me than buying a completely new look every time we go somewhere.
🛒 SHOP THE IDEA: LET THE JEWELRY DO SOME OF THE WORK
A necklace or pair of earrings can make a basic outfit feel holiday-ready without turning me into a walking Christmas tree.
Shop Hey Happiness Bestsellers
That’s my kind of holiday math.
Buy one piece.
Wear it with five things I already own.
BUYING: The Boring Stuff Before Everyone Needs It
Not every holiday purchase is fun.
Batteries.
Extension cords.
Command hooks.
Tape.
Gift bags.
Tissue paper.
Storage containers.
All those little things nobody puts on the glamorous Christmas Pinterest board.
But they’re exactly the things I don’t want to discover I’m missing at 8 p.m. on December 23.
🛒 GIGI’S HOLIDAY PREP DRAWER
I’m putting together the boring little basics early so I don’t have to think about them later.
Shop holiday storage and organization on Amazon
Shop gift wrapping supplies on Amazon
Shop Command hooks for holiday decorating on Amazon
Not exciting.
But neither is running to the store because you’re out of tape.
NOT BUYING: Viral Holiday Gadgets I Didn’t Know I Needed Yesterday
You know the videos.
Someone uses a gadget you have never seen before and within 30 seconds you’re thinking:
WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?
Probably somewhere you were perfectly happy without it.
I’m not saying every viral product is useless.
Some are brilliant.
But I’m giving myself a waiting period.
If I still want it after the video has stopped playing and the little shopping-cart button is no longer flashing at me, I’ll think about it.
Christmas doesn’t need to become an excuse to buy 47 solutions to problems I don’t actually have.
NOT BUYING: More Just Because Shipping Is Free
Oh, this one.
You’re only $17 away from free shipping!
So naturally we spend another $23 to avoid paying $7 for shipping.
Tell me how that math works again.
Sometimes paying the shipping is cheaper.
Sometimes waiting until I have another planned item makes sense.
And sometimes I need to close the browser and go make coffee.
All three are valid financial strategies.
What I’m Really Buying This Year
The older I get, the more I realize I’m not trying to create the biggest Christmas.
I’m trying to create our Christmas.
The candy-cane tree.
The blue-and-silver tree.
The little black tree.
BigDog.
Mom.
Luna wandering through the middle of everything.
Good food.
Music.
The people we love.
And the people who aren’t sitting at the table anymore but somehow still show up in the stories we tell.
That’s the stuff I want to make room for.
And strangely enough, planning the money ahead of time helps me do that.
Because when I’m not worried about what I spent, I can actually enjoy what I bought.
My Holiday Shopping Budget Rule for 2026
Before I hit Buy Now, I’m asking myself three questions:
Was this already part of my plan?
Do I actually have a place or purpose for it?
Would I still want it if it weren’t on sale?
If the answer is no?
It can stay right where it is.
Because I didn’t save $1,500 for Christmas just to prove I can spend $1,500.
I saved it so Christmas could come without a financial hangover attached to it.
And January Gigi?
She is NOT paying for December Gigi.
Not this year.
What about you?
Are you buying anything early this year — or is there something you’ve officially put on your NOT BUYING IT list?
Tell me in the comments. I have a feeling some of us are going to need accountability once those Black Friday emails start showing up.
Don’t let your age determine the size of your dreams — or a SALE banner determine the size of your shopping cart.
Tits up and be fierce.
