It is possible to walk into a store and find the perfect gift at an amazing price, but a large shopping expedition should not depend upon this rare occurrence. If you plan, you can avoid holiday shopping blues and experience less stress during the holiday season.

Prepare Your Lists

Detailed lists play an essential role in careful planning. The two most important during this season are the grocery list and the gift list.

Before detailing a grocery list, you must brainstorm your menu. Write down every food item you plan to serve. This not only acts as the foundation of your shopping list, but it also acts to keep you on track during the big day. Once your menu is complete, make a list of every ingredient for each item on the menu. This is your complete grocery list.

Include staple items always on hand on the grocery list. Everyday items are often overlooked or forgotten during the bustle of the holiday season.

The gift list names every person for whom you intend to purchase a gift. Include the names of all recipients while leaving room to write down gift ideas for each. Regardless of how small, large, specific or general it might be, write down a gift idea beside each name. This is your complete gift list.

If you cannot think of a gift idea for a person, leave the idea area blank. Inspiration may hit you later on.

Cross-Reference Your Lists

With your lists in view, scour through flyers and holiday catalogs for the best prices that apply to your listed items. Clip every coupon that matches the products you must purchase; though there will be duplicates, you will be able to see at a glance if one coupon offers better savings than others offer.

As you browse advertisements, make notations of prices from each store beside the listed items you will purchase. Seeing the best price will help you organize your lists and shopping trip.

Organize Your Lists

You can now organize your lists according to the best prices as advertised. Group your items according to the store at which each you will purchase each. Create one envelope for each store and insert the list for the particular store as well as any coupons pertinent to that list.

Write the shopping hours of each store on the outside of the envelope. Seeing the shopping hours will help you when it comes time to plan your trip.

Plan Your Trip

Driving aimlessly about from one store to another increases time and mileage. You know the stores to shop at and the hours of operation. Now you can apply knowledge of your town's geography to determine the most efficient route for a shopping expedition.

Planning ahead does not always eliminate last minute shopping. It does not eliminate seasonal stress. It does eliminate holiday blues by allowing you to shop in an organized and simplified manner. Plan your shopping and enjoy the holidays.

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