To not be doing my christmas shopping

[tarantino123]

It seems everyone has already done their christmas shopping, or else is planning to do so by Thursday. Is this primarily driven by covid/lockdown or are people usually this pre organised?
What's the main reason ? Is it to spread the cost?
I never do mine til 2nd week of December and never have any issue getting things. I put my money every month from July ish to save up.
If you buy so far in advance, how do you even know what people would like that early ? Also if it's > 30 days since you bought the item, the recipient won't be able to exchange it if it's too big/too small/they get duplicates- how do you deal with that?
My extended family are panicking to get to shops. I mostly order online so i'm not bothered. This time i'll just get stuff online if shops don't reopen before christmas.Most retailers have this option.
What's the rush ? Am I missing something ?

I normally vaguely start thinking about it in mid November and start actually shopping (online) in the last week of November. If I start later than that, there's often the odd thing I want that wouldn't be delivered on time. I'm thinking of starting a little bit earlier this year, because so many more people will be buying online, but I haven't started yet.