7 Reasons to Do All Your Holiday Shopping in October

Getting your shopping done early could help you free up cash for these other end-of-year expenses. “Deals aren’t getting better or worse once you hit early October,” says Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. “[Shoppers] don’t have to wait” to get gifts out of the way.

3. Price match protection 

Thanks to price-matching policies offered by many major retailers, you often don’t have to worry about missing out on Black Friday deals or holiday sales later in the season, depending on where you shop. While price-matching rules may differ depending on the retailer, typically if you buy a product and find it being sold at a lower price within two weeks of purchase, the retailer will give you the better deal, either by reimbursing you via your original payment method or by offering store credit. Since most retailers begin rolling out Black Friday deals in early November, Woroch says that if you make your purchases in mid-October, you should be protected. Just don’t forget to save your receipts. 

Also, “make sure you set a sale alert or track price drops on the site, so you don’t miss out on the price adjustment,” she says.

4. Give better gifts 

Last-minute shoppers know all too well about the pitfalls of buying in haste. When you’re in a hurry, you could overspend and grab gifts that may not be a hit with your recipients. But the earlier you shop, the more time you have to plan and select the right gifts for everyone on your list. “By being ahead of the game, you can take your time and be mindful about your purchases, making sure to get just the right thing, rather than feeling rushed and buying something last minute that you aren’t totally sold on,” Ramhold says.

5. Avoid the crowds

​If you hate jam-packed parking lots, crowded aisles and long checkout lines, shopping early in the season should be beneficial. Malls and stores are typically less crowded in October, compared to November and December, when holiday shoppers often turn out in droves, Ramhold says.

6. Stress less about out-of-stock items

​The longer you wait, the more you have to worry about out-of-stock items and shipping delays. During last year’s holiday season, more than one in eight products were out of stock, according to an Ipsos poll. Even if you find the item you want, if you procrastinate, you may pay more for shipping so your presents arrive on time.

Then there are the port strikes up and down the East Coast that could delay shipping and the arrival of holiday gifts in stores.

7. More free time to celebrate and give back

​With your gift shopping out of the way, you’ll have more time to enjoy family and friends, and give back, which is what the holidays are all about. “If you do your shopping in October, then you’re going to be ahead of the game, which means cutting out major sources of stress during the holiday season and being able to relax and enjoy being with those you value,” Ramhold says.