Walmart's layaway program typically starts in August or September. This is a great way to start saving money for Christmas gifts early and spread out the cost over several months. Walmart's layaway program allows you to put a down payment on items and pay them off in installments over a specified period of time. Once the full payment is made, you can take the items home with you. This is an especially helpful option for people who want to budget for Christmas gifts or those who want to avoid taking on credit card debt.