by Mario Carini

Created on: December 05, 2011   Last Updated: December 06, 2011

When it comes to Christmas shopping, most people leave the task for the last minute. Unfortunately, buying in a panic is a sure way to buy those things that the recipient doesn't want. Unlike shopping for groceries, buying for the holidays requires some forethought. Buying groceries requires having a list. Buying for that someone special on your gift list means having a good idea of what he or she will want.

Well before you head to the store, the first tip to good holiday shopping is just to ask the recipient what he or she expects for Christmas. Children are eager to let you know what they want. Adult responses might range from nothing at all to a Ferrari. You need to encourage them to be open and honest as to their true desires. Only then do you have something you can add to your list.

Next, of course, is the list. You should set down all the items your prospects want next to their names. Put down everything they might have requested and anything you think that might please them. At this point you don't need to filter out the impossibles. Let your imagination go wild.

Christmas shopping does not mean you have to go bankrupt in order to please everyone on your list. If you have a limited budget, you can explain to your children and others that you can't afford to get the most expensive items they requested. You should never feel pressured into buying beyond your budget.

Christmas shopping should start 2 to 3 months prior to the holidays. This helps reduces the stress and frustration that so many experience as they struggle through the maddened crowds as they fight to get their hands on a limited supply of the latest electronic gadgets everyone else wants. Buying at the last minute can be an unnerving experience as you stand in a line a mile away from the cashier. If an item you know will be a welcome present and is on sale in October, go ahead and buy it as it's likely the price will be higher in the few short days leading to Christmas.

Next to running to the store for gifts, consider shopping online in the comfort of your own home. You can take your time to comparison shop instead of travel from one mall location to another just to find special deals. Furthermore, you can research the products you're considering buying. Shopping for quality takes more forethought than buying something cheap right off the shelf.

Mail order can save you a great deal of time and money. It can help you stick to your budget and there's less chance you'll buy something on impulse other than what's listed in the catalog. However, ordering by mail does require a few months of leeway to insure your gifts arrive before Christmas and well before everyone floods the post office with their orders.

If your holiday buying budget is limited, there's no shame in looking for low cost and even second hand products. Aside from the latest game console, most children don't care if their new clothes came from the Salvation Army or from the local flea market. Thrift and dollar stores are good sources for candy and low cost home decorations. If you plan on doing some entertaining, it won't concern your guests if your tree decorations came from a flea market.

One thing that doesn't often come to mind during the holidays is your attitude while shopping, giving gifts or entertaining your guests. A smile, a laugh and warm greetings can be a better gift than a Ferrari.

Learn more about this author, Mario Carini.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.