Some things about the holidays are a "given:" You'll encounter some surprises, usually last minute parties that you weren't expecting. And you'll be traveling, a harrowing experience at this time of year, even for short distances. Here are some of my best tips for shopping, ordering, gifting, traveling and wrapping, recommended by my friends and family alike. I really want to help you get through the holidays with less stress and more energy.

Stop Shopping 'Til You Drop
Before you start shopping, spend 10 minutes on a gift list. It's worth its weight in gold. Set a budget for each individual you're shopping for and stick to it.

Shopping is more than a one-day event and is quite often used as a social occasion. I suggest that you do a power-shopping trip alone. Save shopping with your friends for a time when you're just looking for those last-minute gift items.

Some items must be experienced: touched and felt. So go to the mall if you must, but avoid weekends. I suggest not shopping the week after Thanksgiving when you'll have to deal with the masses. The first week of December is your best bet, Thanksgiving is over and last-minute shoppers haven't begun yet. Try to target December 18th as the last day to shop.

Shop Online to Save Time, Money, Stress, Sanity
Online shopping is so much easier and more convenient than the mall, with free shipping and no tax, but remember to shop smart:

• Demand tracking numbers for all shipments. You can check on the progress of your packages through the system online to eliminate the stress of waiting.
  
  
• When ordering, ask if a signature is required so you can plan to have someone at home to sign. A friendly neighbor might be willing or you could have the package shipped to your office.
  
  
• Develop a relationship with your regular FedEx or UPS delivery person so you can set up a secret spot to place packages when you're not home.

Initiate a Grab Bag for Adults
In our family, we limit individual gift-giving to gifts for children. It gets stressful and expensive when adults exchange personal gifts. Instead, start an adult grab bag.

1. Set a price limit for the gifts.
2. Make sure all gifts are wrapped.
3. Put numbers in a hat for the total number of people who brought grab-bag gifts. Each person picks a number.
4. The person who picked number one goes first. They pick a gift and unwrap it to ooh's and aah's.
5. Person number two picks a gift, unwraps it and can keep it or exchange it for the gift number one has and so on down the line.
6. When everyone else has picked and kept or exchanged their gifts, number one takes a final turn and can keep or exchange his/her gift with anyone elses'.

We found a grab bag to be more fun, less stress and expensive than individual gifts.

It's a Wrap
Decide before holiday shopping how you're going to wrap presents. Avoid the gift-wrapping service in the mall. There are long lines and high prices to pay for this questionable convenience. Stop by a local store and get some gift wrap (on sale if you can) and do it yourself at home. Maybe one family member is really good at it and doesn't mind doing it for the others. Or better still, get holiday-colored or motif tissue and gift bags; they only take a minute to assemble and look great. The kids can help with gift bags, too.

Kids can help with holiday activities in many (age-appropriate) ways, including meal preparation, baking, table-setting, serving, decorating and gift-wrapping. Did I mention clean up?

Last, but not least, drive safely. Schedule travel times carefully during the holidays. You can count on all expressways, tollways and freeways to be busy. Leave early and always allow extra time.

Enjoy the season with family and friends. Stop occasionally and take a deep breath. There are so many things to be thankful for, recounting them should make you feel better.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Ultimatebackstore.com.