We're so much alike. I start my Christmas shopping in January as well...for the preceding Christmas. My brother also drips with holiday sentimentality. For years I would give him a cash Christmas gift and would receive his cash Christmas gift a few hours later, an amount that was exactly 50% of what I gave to him. One year, sharpie that I am, I said that I would give him his "gift" after I received his. That was in 1992. I'm still waiting.