And so, with another holiday season upon us, the mad dash to buy gifts for everyone on your list has begun. Holiday shopping can be a stressful experience for even the most seasoned shopper. Crowded malls and parking lots, rude and disrespectful shoppers and salespeople, and unmanageable traffic all conspire to leave us stressed and angry.

There are a few simple tips, however, that can help relieve a good portion of the pain associated with holiday shopping. Follow these guidelines and enjoy a stress free holiday this year:

1. Get Organized: Men in particular could use some help with this one. Instead of rushing to the mall on December 23^rd with no clear idea as to what you want to get for your family and friends, make a list of each person and possible gifts well in advance. Then, plan out your shopping route. Breaking the shopping process up into multiple trips throughout November and December can keep stress to a minimum. Group stores that are near to each other together, so that one shopping excursion hits several spots.
2. Skip “Black Friday” for “Cyber Sunday”: For many products on your shopping list, there is no need to even start up the car in this day and age. Online shopping is gaining in popularity. In 2008, almost 30% of holiday gifts were purchased online according to the American Research Group. Online shopping offers the ability to easily sort and compare thousands of products to select the appropriate gift, and getting the best price can be easily verified. Although you may have to factor in shipping costs for most products, the savings on both transportation costs and your sanity can outweigh these expenses.
3. Start Early: The earlier you can begin your holiday shopping, the better chance you have of avoiding the mall mayhem. See a great deal in August on an item you know your husband or wife would love? Grab it now and store it away. It may not be there come December. Post-holiday clearance sales are also a good way to get ready for the next holiday season, with many products at a lower price than they will see for the rest of the year.
4. Relax: Take a few deep breaths and leave work or home stress behind before heading off to the mall. Leave plenty of time to deal with traffic and parking problems. And, if possible, leave the kids at home or with a relative for one less distraction while shopping. Becoming angry or irritated will only make the shopping experience worse. Get in the holiday spirit, and think of all the happy faces and smiles you will see once the shopping is over!

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