Shopping sprees.

The holidays, apart from being a time to relax with friends and family, have become big business. Holiday shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas accounts for as much one-quarter of retail sales for the year. Whatever the numbers, Americans often have a way of waiting until the last minute to buy gifts. So the Business Journal asks:

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

Michael Distefano Vice President, Marketing Korn/Ferry International

I went out twice to go shopping and the first time I got waylaid at a pizza place, eating and reading the New York Post. The second time was last week, when the aroma of a holiday coffee lured me into Starbucks, so now I'm thinking either I'll shop online or eat at the office. The goal is to try to get it done by the 21st. After that, you enter the panic zone. You're panicking and you lose track of reality and practicality. I would be looking for bargains, but knowing my wife's tastes, I don't think that will work out.

Paul Biberkraut Chief Financial Officer Superior Galleries Inc.

Yes. I finished the day after Thanksgiving. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the malls become a zoo, so I like to be done before that. It gives you an opportunity to really enjoy the season, and not worry. I travel frequently for business, so I look for gifts while traveling. I also look for deals in catalogs, which are always mailed out in September. We have people in our family who celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, so we have a lot of celebrating and gift giving. We're always looking for bargains. We do always look for sale, promos like free shipping from catalogs or Amazon, getting several things shipped together.

Juan Morales Editor, Emmy Magazine Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

Somewhat. We're not fully into it, there's plenty more to go. I have about 10 or 12 immediate family members to shop for, and then there are professional things. I have six siblings and they all have kids, and there are so many of us we have a system where everyone buys for one person. My wife's family doesn't have that. Typically I wouldn't even have started yet.

Gary Dix Manager, Field Operations 5G Wireless Inc.

Not yet. Usually I'm one of those who waits until the last minute deals at phenomenal sale prices. I get too wrapped up in work or other activities with my wife, and I also can't stand the crowds at the malls. It's a lot easier to buy things online, but you don't know when it will be delivered. I've tried buying online and the delivery was late and I wound up in the doghouse. It's a lot better being able to see and touch the product. It's my first year being married so I have to make a good impression.

Keith Campbell Director of Business Development California Manufacturing Technology Consulting

I'm almost done, luckily. I started about a week before Thanksgiving. I'm starting earlier every year. My father and I used to go on Christmas Eve when I was a kid, I think we liked the torture. I sometimes look for bargains, but I usually have a pretty specific list of things people want, so I'd rather go to the higher end stores and get one really nice gift than a bunch of little things.