I used to Christmas shop very early.  I'd find things and pick them up and stash them away.  I would make lay a ways with the things the kids wanted and get them out by the time I had to. 

I don't know what I'm doing now.  Maybe the toys wanted cost more?  A 3DS does cost more than a Barbie doll doesn't it? Then you have to give at least one game to go with it right? Legos too.  Like he needs more Legos!  Games for the Wii, fancy web cams.  Ugh.  We are living in an electronics time for sure! I'm starting to not like Christmas so much.  :( 

Yeah, things cost more.  I miss the days of buying barbies, baby dolls, race cars, and whatever was cool that year.  *sigh*