^ ^^ I don't think about Christmas till after Thanksgiving
I don't remember exactly when I started shopping early, but it was when the kids were fairly young. I think there's a lot of pressure on mothers during the holidays. Not only gifts, but all of the other planning and preparation for decorations, events, gatherings, meals, travel, crafts, sprinkle cookies, or whatever the season demands. Not having to think about gifts or dealing with busy stores during the month of December made all the other things less stressful and easier to enjoy. It's something I've continued since they've grown.