For some people with busy lives or little cash planning ahead and spreading the cost means starting a little bit earlier.
The Every Disabled Child Matters charity and HM Treasury had to start early as they have been running a competition for disabled children and young people to design the Treasury's christmas cards in aid of the EDCM charity.
The winning entry chosen by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, was by 17 year old Matthew from Greenwich.
You can see all twelve finalists' designs from which the winner was chosen here
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown commissioned one of children's favourite authors and book illustrators, Shirley Hughes, to design Number 10's Christmas card.
As education and reading is close to the PM's heart the Christmas cards will support the charity Booktrust which encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading.
Closer to home this book was discovered recently in Borders the book and stationery store at Deepdale Retail Park, Preston. Published by Dalesman and edited by Alan Crosby, each page contains quotations modern and historic.
The backcover blurb explains why it warrants a mention here as a meaningful Christmas gift.
"This may be the smallest book about the greatest county, but inside you'll find all sorts of Lancashire treasures, quotations and anecdotes, from past and present, to entertain and delight. This is just the book for locals, visitors and exiles across the world - indeed for anyone and everyone who loves Lancashire."
At only £1.99 it was worth starting Christmas shopping early.
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