Thinking we were ahead of the pumpkin, we headed into the local Hobby Lobby to stock up on Halloween and Fall décor. Scarily enough, we weren’t greeted by dancing skeletons or ghoulish figures; rather, we were accosted by sparkling pines and rows of glittering ornaments. No, it’s not Homecoming season in Louisiana – it’s Christmas (Getmas?) in October! Retail has taken a significant hit over the past couple of years but is backing Santa into summer going to wrestle the dollars away from our children’s considerably diminished 529 plans?

Because sending your child(ren) to college is considered your patriotic duty – kind of like displaying the flag, whipping up a warm dinner four out of seven nights a week, and voting in national elections – and pilfering your child(ren)’s 529 plan is akin to wearing pajamas to your child’s 1st grade graduation, we’re recommending an alternative gift strategy. Open up your Outlook Contact file, grab your iPhone, or pull that ragged sheet of paper from the junk drawer – it’s time to call on your fellow geographically well-positioned Army spouses, all of whom were arm-wrestled into participating in that angst-laden Army spouse tradition, the BAZAAR!!!

For those with experience in economics, global trade, and under-the-table deal making (that’s all of you who’ve participated in an overseas move), bazaars present a brilliant opportunity to work the Army spouse “system”. Set up your bazaar wares and start taking photos; post those photos to your Facebook page; and start exchanging goods with your fellow spouses.

Our favorite bazaars that highlight military spouse participation are The American Women's Club of Brussels  annual holiday bazaar – featuring Polish pottery, hand-woven shawls and scarves, colorful jewelry and wooden toys and gifts, wines and chocolate (wines and chocolate, wines and chocolate). And, the Fort Hood OWC wins the bazaar belt buckle for sheer girth. With more local vendors and home crafted treats - the Killeen Convention Center is sure to be a hit for those needing Christmas goodies.

And, of course, you must track down the contact information for all your very, very close Army spouse buddies having access to the civilian bazaars in Europe! Where else can you find Irish linens, Black Forest cuckoo clocks, Belgian chocolate, Italian leather gloves and handbags and German wine (free testers!) while you walk up and down the maze of aisles? A typical German bazaar has as much food and drink as vendors and always sponsors a fest tent where the local soldier population can participate in "open mike night”! Wear your dancing shoes and leg warmers as, inside the shopping arena, the toe tapping background music is from the 80s as Europe (and definitely Germany!) is stuck in a time warp where Nina's "99 Luftbalons" and Ace of Bass' "All that she Wants" have never left the HitBoard Top 10.

All of these bazaars are well worth orchestrating exchange efforts, brokering post-to-post trade deals and investing your soldier’s deployment subsidy; grab lederhosen for the little ones, Americana buckets for the relatives, and First Cavalry Totebags for your friends – just remember where you store the gifts and don’t chip the Polish Pottery if you happen to use it a couple of times before wrapping!

What do you think?

• 529 Plan or fingers crossed for scholarships?
• Global trade initiatives represent a significant portion of my gift giving strategy.
• My dog ate my Rolodex!