Have you ever found yourself short a gift for a friend who stops by unexpected?  Or have holiday leftovers to share but afraid to lend out your good storage containers?  Follow our simple tips and you can avoid some of the holiday stressors and find time to enjoy the festivities.

1. Get out early.  Hit the stores early in the day before the parking lots fill up, the lines begin, and the merchandise is still fresh and (hopefully) where it belongs.  Many stores open early for the holidays.  You may be able to get your shopping out of the way before heading in to work.  This is also the perfect time to make returns, before the shoppers hit the registers with purchases. 
   
   
2. Make a list and check it twice.  Your list will serve as your guide to where you need to go and for who you need to purchase gifts.  This will allow you to accomplish more and forget less.
   
   
3. Get batteries in all possible shapes and sizes.  When purchasing items check the package.  Does it require batteries and are they included?  There are few stores open Christmas Day to save when you have left batteries off your shopping list.   Buy AA batteries in bulk.  They are the most common size to power children's games.  Don't forget to check your camera!  Do you have a spare battery in case it goes dead just before the family picture?
   
   
4. Stock up on disposable food storage containers and zip top freezer bags.  You can send your guests home with leftovers from soup, to turkey, to apple pie without worrying if someone will return your good containers.
   
   
5. Pick up a few good rolls of white or silver wrapping paper.  You can assign each person's gifts a different color ribbon or use different colored ribbons to specify different holidays.
   
   
6. Check the vacuum cleaner.  Make sure it works and has a fresh bag.  Can you imagine cooking and preparing for a week and as you try to run the vacuum prior to your guests' arrival, the vacuum conks out or the bag busts?  A little preparation will help you tremendously before the guests arrive and after they depart. 
   
   
7. Decoration storage.  The easier decorations are to take out and put away the more you are likely to use and enjoy them.  Clear plastic containers with dividers for ornaments are great.  You can see which ornaments are in each box and the dividers protect the ornaments for off season storage.  Purchase these now.  They may be hard to find when you are taking the decorations down in January.  If you run in to a bind, pick up wines boxes from the local beer and wine shop.
   
   
8. Got a few moments spare, looking for something to occupy the kids?  Have them download their favorite holiday songs.  You can download them to an iPod or MP3 player or burn them on to a CD.
   
   
9. Pick up some odds and ends for last minute gifts.  If someone unexpected gives you a present, be ready to reciprocate with something unisex and consumable: scented candles, a bottle of wine, fancy maple syrup or gourmet olive oil.  Check out our last minute sweets and treats gift ideas.