Each year, the holiday season creates supply chain nightmares for credit unions and prepaid card providers scrambling to satisfy last-minute holiday shopper demands.

If you plan to take advantage of that December 23 bum rush, start thinking like an elf and get your shop in order now.

While you may be able to receive your plastic orders within a week this month, that will soon change. The closer we get to the holidays, the longer the wait for gift cards.

To determine how many gift cards your credit union should order, start with last year’s numbers. How were sales? When were they strongest? Did you run into inventory shortages? When? Are you planning any new or different promotions this year to increase popularity?

Plastic inventory isn’t the only thing you should be thinking about in September. Consider that the time to create, approve, produce and distribute the marketing materials that will set your members’ holiday spirits aflame likely necessitate an early fall start.

Don’t look now – it’s early fall!