20 Ways to Avoid Holiday Shopping Stress

Christmas is the season of giving, which sounds (and IS) lovely. But doing all the shopping necessary to be generous during the holidays can be stressful. To avoid holiday shopping stress, it's important not to get overwhelmed. To do that, you need a holiday shopping strategy.

Start by making a master list. This is a list of names and events for which you need to have a gift or homemade treat.

After you have your master list, make a second list. Next to each name and event, write a few gift (or homemade treat) ideas. Don't try to decide on the perfect gift just yet. Instead, write down everything that comes to mind. You can edit this list as you go.

Start with ordering as much as you can online. There's still time to use free shipping options. Getting the bulk of your Christmas shopping done in your PJs, in your warm home, makes going to the mall for the rest less stressful.

If gift-giving stresses you out, there's an easy way to take the pressure off. Before writing your list, ask as many of your future gift recipients what they want. Get the specifics: color, size, brand. You won't be able to do this for Secret Santa exchanges, or maybe a partner who insists on being surprised. Everyone else will be more than happy to play along.

Don't try to get it all done in one day. The idea of ripping off the bandage and having it all done can be tempting, but if it means traipsing all over the city, starting early and ending late, missing lunch, settling for gifts you're not excited about just to get it over with, you'll only add to your misery and not alleviate stress. Group gifts by store, and set a goal of hitting one or two stores per day until you're done.

And don't skip lunch. That's your reward.

Set a budget. Not only can it help with post-holiday financial blues, but it can also help you set boundaries that make gift selection easier. You can use the price filter when shopping online, or hit only stores that are within your budget for certain gifts.

Christmas shopping is not the time to wear heeled boots or delicate tops. Dress comfortably, in shoes that you love walking in. Wear layers if it's cold outside, so you don't have to be overheated in crowded big-box stores and malls.

Embrace services that cut down on work for you. Lean hard on in-store gift-wrapping services. Instead of making homemade treats, go to a special bakery or food store and pick up something delicious (and pre-made).

Don't go it alone—in life and especially when it comes to Christmas shopping. You might be the most organized or have the best ideas in your family, but actually making Christmas happen isn't a one-person job. Your partner should be doing their share, including the list-making. If you have grandparents or other family willing to watch the kids, book them now.

Write out daily goals for the next three weeks, including rest days. Create a plan that is manageable and not exhausting.

Your perfect plans—the lists, the strategies, the shopping agenda—one or all will fall apart at some point. People get sick, you might not feel up to it, young children constantly change their minds. Embrace it. Let it go. Then get back in there tomorrow.

Keep yourself well-fed and, as much as you can, try to eat healthy, energizing foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins. Not every meal will be well-balanced. Some will contain tons of sugar (if you're doing the Christmas season right, that is). So, go for vitamins and fiber whenever you can. Don't let yourself get hungry—or worse, hangry.

Sure, walking the mall and through acres of parking lots is physical activity that counts as exercise. But doing your regular workout is important, too. Not only will it maintain your physical health, but the intensity and mindfulness will ease stress.

Your friend is probably in the same boat as you are, so why not help each other through holiday shopping as much as you can this December. You'll have more fun, give each other great ideas and be more tolerant of the crowds and overall madness. Plus, you can go get drinks or coffee after.

'Tis the season to practice saying no. There's so much to do and get done, you can't be in charge of everything. Pick your favorite three or five or 10 activities and obligations, and say yes to those. Everything else? Hard pass.

Last-minute shopping is an adrenaline junkie's dream. For the rest of us, it's just a sad and desperate time to be out shopping. Get started on your list today. Get out there and shop tomorrow. Don't wait until December 24. You want to enjoy this time of year—not dread it every day.

If you have to force yourself to get any of this done, set a timer for 10 minutes. Do as much as you can in 10 minutes. If you feel like doing more after 10 minutes, go for it. If not, you're done for the day. In both cases, set the timer again tomorrow. And the next day. Rinse and repeat until you have to leave the house to shop. Or, until you're done.

Build in self-care time to your holiday to-do schedule. Take a long, hot shower, or a bath. Get a massage or haircut. Whatever self-care is for you, make sure you include it all year, but especially during these stressful holiday weeks.

Even the Grinch turned it around in the end. But you'll enjoy the next weeks more if you go at it with a positive attitude. It's a privilege to know and love people who you want to shop for. It's a special time of year that you always manage to enjoy. Smiling, unburdening yourself and singing along with Christmas carols, even the ones you don't like, are great stress reducers.

While you're shopping for everyone else, why not throw something in the basket for you? You won't even have to wrap it or wait until Christmas to use it. Put yourself on your shopping lists, too.