Everybody is feeling the economic pinch but this is America and in the end, we go shopping!

No one is getting $200 iPods this year. Folks are giving out stockings and gift baskets full of $50 worth of low cost gift items. Be ready for it. I can help!

Don't be caught off guard with low inventories and lots of customers. A little careful planning will help ensure you've got what you need for the post-election shop-a-thon...and it is coming, believe me.

For orders shipping from the west coast (primarily Accoutrements and Ephemera), please allow 7-10 business days for UPS ground delivery, otherwise you're looking at expedited shipping charges. Those are a drag and they eat into your profit margin...big time.

For east coast gifts (primarily Blue Q), please allow 3-5 business days.


Here's my handy holiday check list to keep you on track:

October 1st: Last day to have those boxed holiday cards ship.

October 15-November 1st: Get those boxed cards out! The earlier the better. People will buy boxed cards somewhere and it may as well be from you. You can bet the big boys aren't waiting until mid-November.

November 3rd: All Accoutrements and Ephemera orders ship. Make sure all of your holiday counter cards are out and looking good.

November 17th: All Blue Q orders ship.

December 1st: Last minute refill ship date for Accoutrements and Ephemera

December 5th: Last minute refill ship date for Blue Q

See how easy that was?

Yeah, those dates might seem early but this is the year to give the products maximum selling time. You might sell out of those Jesus action figures but, think about it. Wouldn't you rather have an empty shelf on December 26th than a full stock room going into the January retail freeze?

Don't panic, just plan.

Enter supporting content here