Holiday shopping can be a daunting task when you’re short on time, money or gift ideas. At a time when happiness and anticipation should typically fill the emotions, a dreariness befalls many, intensified due to shopping woes. Shopping efficiently with minimal effort leaves you with energy to enjoy the festive atmosphere that surrounds us during the holiday season. The following tips provide ways to organize your holiday shopping:

1) List everyone to whom you need to give a gift adding gift ideas and prices ranges below their names.

2) Ask friends and family for ideas about gifts they would like to receive. This way they are assured of receiving a gift they will appreciate. Additionally it provides you with choices and price ranges.

3) Use catalogs (such as Penney’s, Office Depot and newspaper ads). Mark items with colored sticky notes. Ordering early reduces stress.

4) What holiday shopping tips list would be complete without including the internet? There are general online sites for ideas or actually ordering items from your favorite stores. Try amazon.com, etoys.com, or gap.com. At ebay.com, you can bid for common as well as difficult to find items and bargains.

5) When your list is written and you are ready to brave the crowds, decide where the majority of gifts on your list can be found. List those stores in geographical order to make as few trips as possible. Can you buy most of the items at one mall, at Walmart, at Burdine’s, at Home Depot? Bunch them up. Don’t make six trips to one store, for example. (Some people do this, you know, and you know who you are).

6) Carry your list with you on all shopping trips. Record each purchase and price beneath the recipient’s name. A check mark indicates when you’ve completed shopping for an individual. Keep a running total of the amounts spent in order to stay within your budget.

7) If you don’t prefer to do the shopping yourself, many of the finer department stores employ personal shoppers who can suggest, choose, wrap and mail gift items for you. Independent sales consultants such as with Mary Kay, Avon, and Amway, also act in a similar capacity and can provide suggestions for anyone in most price ranges.

8) Gift certificates make a welcomed gift that fit any budget and category. (Find out in advance what stores or mall your recipients enjoy). Not only are gift certificates available from most retail and grocery stores, they are available for your favorite services such as haircuts, manicures, facials, massages and organizing services, to name a few.

9) Cash is a much appreciated and appropriate gift for teenagers and those who provide services to you throughout the year, such as your beautician, yardman and housekeeper.

10) While at the mall, or in a dollar or discount store, stock up on wrapping paper, gift tags, ribbon and tape.

When your shopping is complete, go home, prop up your feet, take a break, and enjoy the rest of your holiday season, knowing the satisfaction that comes from being organized.

Diane Hatcher is a professional organizer, and owner of Timesavers Services in Cooper City. She can be reached at 954-252-7511, or at diane@timesaversusa.com.