I say go for it! I actually break my list up over several weeks so that I'm not rushed. I carry my "Christmas bag" with my cards and lists everywhere so that while i'm waiting somewhere I can work on them. Talk about being stared at like an alien...try sitting there with your snowman clad bag and glittery Xmas Cards while waiting for the Halloween/fall festival committee to meet!
BTW: I didn't find any I liked last year on clearance but I did find a great deal on a ton of nice ones on ebay.