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In just a few short weeks the holidays will be upon us and the stores will be beautifully lit, perfectly decorated and displaying neatly packaged gifts for us to purchase. We generally expect for retail stores to have everything we need to begin our holiday shopping several weeks before Christmas. So why not take a lesson from their books and begin your holiday preparation early? In fact, most major retail stores have their holiday shopping gifts in stock as early as September. Instead of waiting in long lines and buying gifts at the last minute, consider the alternative of being organized and prepared! With proper planning you can enjoy the holiday season instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Here are some organization tips to help you to have a less stressful holiday season!

Gift List
No, this is not your personal wish list for Santa! This is your gift giving list, with names and gift ideas. If you also buy for service people, such as the mail carrier, include them on the list.

Have a budget in mind, so that you will stay on track as you shop for each gift. The holiday season is not the time to try to impress everyone with how much more you can spend each year. Avoid trying to keep up with the Joneses. The Joneses won't be paying your credit card bills in January! Be honest about how much you can afford. You'll have peace of mind and will be much happier when the holidays are over.

Quick Tip: Create a holiday shopping notebook that you can refer to every year. Note down your holiday card list, gift giving list and gift ideas. After each shopping trip, make a note of what you have purchased, including the cost of each item and the recipient. It will be a great reference tool for the upcoming years.

Holiday Cards
Write your holiday card list and then shop for holiday cards. If you prefer pre-printed cards, order them now. If you have a long list, address a few each day so that it doesn't feel overwhelming.

Quick Tip: At the end of the holiday season, go shopping to take advantage of holiday cards and gift wrap at reduced prices.

Shopping
I know you've heard it all before, but try to start your holiday shopping as early as possible. If you have a crazy schedule, then you will need to book your shopping time on the calendar like any other appointment. If you have children, consider swapping childcare with a trusted friend or neighbor, so that you can shop alone or with your partner or spouse. Also, avoid the holiday rush by shopping during the week instead

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