It's not even the midpoint of November, and I'm already concerned about not having enough time to get my holiday shopping done.

It's not as if I have all that many gifts to buy. In fact, I can take care of one by making a phone call. And, if it wasn't for my self-imposed ban on buying things via the Internet, I could probably have it all done within the hour.

But, no. I had to go and make things difficult. I'm the kind of person who likes to comparison-shop. I have to go to every possible place to survey the stock and decide where to get the best items for the best prices. Usually, I end up at Target. (And, as I've already discovered, Target is stocked and ready for me.)

I was hoping to get the shopping done last weekend, but I didn't really know what I needed at that point. This weekend is the Miami Book Fair, and I'll be there both days. Next weekend, I have plans all Saturday, which leaves me Sunday for laundry and errands. I could make some time then.

Or, I could go the day before Thanksgiving.

You see, I like to get all my shopping squared away before the traditional holiday shopping season even begins. That way, I can sleep in and relax on Black Friday while half my neighbors line up at midnight to get into the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall. Of course, there is a chance that I won't be able to sleep, and somewhere around 4 a.m., I'll give up trying and go shopping instead. That's how I ended up with a four-piece Pierre Cardin luggage set last year. (Hey, it was a really good deal! I had to buy it! It was purple and gold!)

Regardless, I'm glad I had the chance to think this through. I'll have no worries about my holiday shopping because I know that two weeks from now, it'll all be done.