Christmas is a beautiful time of the year.  Family, friends, twinkling lights, and sometimes wanting to slam your head against a wall. What?  Just me?

Nothing zaps the joy out of the holiday season like frantic shopping sessions and stress. 

Here are 5 easy ways to make Christmas shopping less stressful:

1) First, sit down with a notebook and write down every single person you need to buy a gift for.  Be thorough, because there's nothing worse than dashing out your front door on Christmas Eve to buy a gift for your brother-in-law's girlfriend.

For me, this list includes not only family, but also my daughter's preschool teachers and dance instructors.  Don't forget your babysitter, the gift swap at work, the Secret Santa in your toddler's playgroup, etc.  Keep this list handy and cross out as you purchase items and others as you think of them.

2) Buy online when possible.  With special sale codes and free shipping offers running all of the time, it's easy to find as good of a deal online as you would in the stores.  Get gifts shipped directly to your house and avoid traffic and holiday rush. Bonus?  Some companies will wrap and ship it to the recipient for you Nice, huh? 

3) Give food.  Gourmet cookies baskets, popcorn towers, nuts & fruit - I love giving gifts like these for a number of reasons. They make the perfect "family" gift.  I send it so they receive it before the holidays.  People love getting these because you're automatically giving them snacks to put out when company comes over.  When it's all done?  No clutter. Perfect.  I loooove gifts like this (hint hint, Aunt Edna).

4) Never underestimate the power of a gift card.  "It's impersonal," some may cry.  I disagree!  Everyone loves a gift card. They are perfect to buy in bulk (have shipped to you!) and make great gifts for teachers, dance instructors, coaches, the librarian at story time, etc.  And one size fits all!

5) Buy all the wrapping paper, scissors, tape, bows, and tags you need ahead of time.  I try to wrap as I purchase gifts (complete with labels so I don't forget what belongs to whom).  Or, I'll schedule a couple of afternoons with a good movie queued up on Netflix so I can leisurely wrap gifts.  With cider.  And cookies.  (Of course).