I don't know about you, but I generally don't get myself motivated to do my Christmas shopping until the end of November. By then the high street Christmas campaigns are in full swing and there is a definite buzz in the air that only the festive season brings.

The only issue I have, is that the high street retailers seem to think that Christmas starts in the middle of October. The upshot of this is that when Christmas finally gets into full swing, most people are fed up with the whole thing and have little cheer, little enthusiasm or both.

However, if you're one of those people who loves every single minute of the Christmas build up, you'll welcome the early arrival of tinsel filled shops. If that person is you, then you'll be pleased to hear that your favourite Catalogue and Home Shopping companies are preparing to deliver their Christmas catalogues, brochures and teasing leaflets for your pleasure any day now (or maybe they have already!). This means that you have about eight or nine weeks to prepare, select and order all of your shopping for all of your family and friends.

Don't get me wrong, I love shopping online, not least because of the huge choice and extended ranges that printed Catalogues just can't display. The thing is I also love flicking through printed catalogues and brochures. I love the fact that I can flick through something tangible, something I can put down and pick up at leisure, and of course, I can request the delivery of these online.

Armed with my printed Catalogues, and having made my choices, I can order over the phone or online, or for the many retailers who have feet in both bricks and clicks retail environments, I can head off into town.

Browsing and pre-selecting from printed Catalogues and brochures has an irresistible appeal to everyone. Whether you love the buzz of high street shopping, or whether you prefer to stay away from the retail madness that grips the population at Christmas, you at least have a choice. Either way, I just don't know anybody who can resist flicking through a Catalogue or brochure.

If I had to come clean, I'd have to admit that my own shopping habits have changed significantly. Personal experiences of heading into town, with the issues of parking, bustling crowds and limited choice, have tarnished my view of high street shopping. These days I browse from my catalogues and browse online, comparing prices and availability instantly. I find that the choice is better and the promotional offers more frequent. There are no crowds and my choices are confirmed instantly. Add to this any number of ways to pay, ranging from ‘pay right now' to ‘pay next year' and everything delivered to my door, and I doubt I'll be heading into town anytime soon.

So the choice is yours, start your Christmas shopping right now or leave it until the last minute. If you decide that the last minute is for you, at least one major Catalogue company has offered the following: Order by 3.pm on the 22nd of December and still have your things delivered for Christmas. Dive in to the online festive campaigns that are now in full flow and get a head start on what promises to be a great Christmas.

As always, Happy Shopping.

Copyright (c) 2007 Sam Benton