by Amber Shannon

Created on: October 15, 2009

Shopping during the holidays can be a browbeating time pushing, shoving, elbowing and snatching the last cashmere sweater from the shelf, not to mention the other shoppers in the overcrowded department stores. Christmas shopping can send shock waves of pain surging through one's body, the dread of deciphering what someone wants, getting the right gift, the perfect gift and shopping for the undecided family member is enough to make even the most skilled shopper feel erratic.

There are 69 shopping days left until Christmas and if you aren't someone who enjoys enduring last minute shopping there is no reason why you shouldn't start your holiday shopping today. There are ways to beat the crowd, find great gifts and enjoy lounging around in your robe and slippers on Christmas Eve morning while all of those other procrastinators are out bearing the elements, squeezing in their last minute shopping.

Follow these tips listed and you will be sure to save yourself the agony of shoveling through the snow and the crowd of mall goers.

Tip #1- Start early. Who says that Christmas shopping has to be done in December. It can be frustrating counting down the days, marking through the list of those you need to buy for and having no idea what to give them. By starting your Christmas shopping early you can eliminate a few stresses along the way, buy now what you know for sure someone wants whether it be clothes, shoes or a tool set these items are always on the market and you can always find them stocked on store shelves. Save your receipts in a folder marked Christmas gifts that way should you need to return something you still have plenty of time to do it in.

Tip #2- Ask for Christmas wish lists- Everyone has a wish list and Christmas is one of those times to make small wishes come true. Tell everyone you are requiring a wish list this Christmas and give them a deadline in which to hand in those wishes. For some this will be easy they've been looking for the things they want for Christmas all year but for those more ambiguous types this may be a little harder, have them write down a couple of items that they need and start with buying those, if they happen to come across something they want later purchasing those items will be easier because you've already mastered the majority of your shopping for all of the other wish lovers.

Tip #3- I don't know- There is always that one late bloomer that just can't seem to make up his/her mind leaving you until the very last second

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