We always swear next year we will get our shopping done earlier. Before the prices go up, before the crowds get bad, before we are stressed about what to get, by the time, it's too late. After Halloween but before Thanksgiving, after Summer but before Fall gets bad.

Overall, before panic, anxiety, and confusion starts to take over.

We have best intentions to do this, and swear it to be true, but how often do we?

Christmas comes so quickly from the start of November, when decorations are already filling the stores and children of all ages are sure what they want from Santa.  As they ask constantly if they think Santa will bring it. (I do this too just FYI, by the way.)

This year changed for me. Some uncontrollable reasons drove me to this and some extra time on my hands (not easy to come by) helped me make a decision, for reasons I will tell you.

All of my Christmas Shopping is finished, and by Halloween. First year ever.

Don't get me wrong, I would have never before been that 'person' who would buys thoughtful Christmas gifts, from a computer, without seeing them first.

But here's what was different this year. I am a little bit mobile challenged, not in that I couldn't or wouldn't have still hit the stores if I had too. I love, just like most of you, to give.

That's what makes, Christmas, well, Christmas.

Truthfully, the joy of buying fun gifts for other people makes me smile the entire time, right up until they are given out Christmas Day. Giving is about making someone else happy and, that is, the gift for me, bar none.

There is a lot to be said for the in-store shopping experience. You can feel the product, check out it's quality, and actually paying for it is another level of feeling good about giving.

I won't lie. Every Christmas season, when I am so innocently buying for loved ones, (and those you have to), I do sneak in a parcel here and there for myself too. Justifying it with the means of a reward for such a hard, and job well done. :-).

Here's the problem. All this Joy over the years has changed. I find my self these past few years becoming irritable at other shoppers and their rudeness, impatient at long line-ups, and miserable from out of stock, colors and sizes. I believe many shoppers share these feelings given their shared behavior. I've actually seen a fist fight between two grown women over the last pink child's Parka jacket.

Of course this has always happened but in my opinion, , for me now, it has surpassed, 'putting up with'.

I dread shopping in-store now and find no spirit in it. The giving of course is still wonderful. I'd be lying if I didn't admit, I am less as excited and growing tainted, from the experience of getting these gifts this way.

An even when receiving gifts now, I can't help but wonder the turmoil surrounding each purchase was and feel badly, though they would never let on it was anything short of a perfect experience.

Gifts from around the world, being shipped to me right now and no one the wiser. All thanks to google and search engines. There, yes. But for this HubMobber, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

It was so much fun shopping o-line. Quickly surfing stores, seeing what was new this year and top Christmas sellers, investigating who had what on sale. E bay and Amazon I knew for sure would have cool gift idea''s and so I started there.

When I started however, I didn't have a clue about shipping and who sold over the Internet, who had catalogues and who's reputation was that of good standing. Again it was google who very easily made this project worth while.

But a few hours later, I was like a pro, I knew to ask the price of shipping, tracing numbers, duty fee's, gift wrapping offers, exchanges or refunds if need be, payment policies, PayPal or credit card, and confirming orders, before I hit the confirm order button. All this in a handful of one purchase click.

I truly even played Christmas music during the entire event. The event, buying for 9 people, once I started shopping it took 45 minutes. Most of those minutes were spend looking for gift ideas. This was great for me, the idea's were new and quick.

Now,I admit, I personally love getting packages in the mail, however these packages coming were from all over and because they were not for me, I was extra nervous.

I had left enough time for exchanges before Christmas (barely) and admit to ordering everything first class. I live in Canada tracing a parcel is critical and mine comes mostly with first class delivery. It still all seemed to take too long.

So some of the downfalls of shopping on-line you have already figured out. You don't see the product first, so make sue you deal with a company who'd products you are familiar with.

Then of course there's duty and shipping costs depending where you live. Personally I have no problem paying these for the convenience it buys me. Also this time of year many places offer free shipping with an amount of purchase.

Exchanges pose a problem if you are no prepared to allow room for this purpose.

Quality, truthfully I have not had a problem with so far and free gifts have been thrown in as a customer bonus for me, some even add great gifts.

Regardless, the boxes have started arriving and truthfully I Have not ha one problem yet.

Truth is I would have ever done this in the past, but I am glad I did. I am so pleased with the orders.

Now I just need to make Xmas cards and wrap the presents up. The gifts bags and tissue I think this year will be suffice. Color-coordinated of course.

I'm shocked as I realized maybe most people do this and I have been in the dark.

No longer and I got my Xmas spirit back. :o)

Happy Shopping n-store or on-line

And all the best for the holidays to everyone.