Christmas is less than eight weeks away, and many shoppers are already putting gifts on layaway.  

Upstairs Boutique in downtown Joplin offers a layaway program.

They require 20% down and you must pay for the item within 60 days.

Josie Bulgarelli uses the program all the time.

She says she doesn't like credit cards, because you have to pay interest and it can get you in trouble. 

She says having patience can go a long way.

Now every store is different, larger stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Kohl's do not offer a layaway program.