Do you usually find yourself rushing to finish up your holiday shopping? You can avoid all that hustle and bustle by getting a start on your shopping early this year.

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on people. If you’re a late holiday shopper, you’re certainly not alone. Save yourself the hassle of last-minute shopping trips among throngs of other late shoppers by trying out these tips.

Start by Making a List

It may seem obvious, but making a list of all of the people you want to gift is an important first step in a holiday shopping plan. Writing out everyone’s names will get your gears turning and thinking about the gifts that they might like. Most importantly, making a list well before the holidays will give you time to make sure you didn’t accidentally forget anyone. You don’t want to realize you’ve missed someone right after finishing all of your big shopping trips.

Buy Smaller Gifts in Bulk

If you like to give smaller gifts to the acquaintances that you see once in a while, then consider buying in bulk. It will save you money, help you cross a lot of names off your list all at once, and likely leave you with a few extra gifts just in case you do realize last minute that you forgot someone. Some of the best gifts that you can buy in bulk include chocolates, candles, soaps, and other bath products.

Do Some Online Shopping

Websites like Amazon make it easy to finish up all of your shopping at the click of a button and have it delivered straight to your front door. You’ll find great deals and tons of bulk items without having to scour an entire mall. If you make your online orders before the holiday postal rush, then you can almost guarantee that everything will arrive in time. Just make sure you pay attention to shipping dates and shipping fees.

Don’t Miss In-Store Deals

While shopping online is super convenient, you should also keep your eyes open for in-store deals in the months and weeks leading up to the holidays. Many stores start holding sale events around this time, especially if they are trying to make room for winter stock. Check fliers and visit the websites of the stores you like to buy gifts from to see if they currently have any in-store deals.

Visit Holiday Markets and Fairs

The months and weeks leading up to the holidays are also prime time for seasonal markets and fairs where you can buy all sorts of unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll find handcrafted goods and art pieces from local artists and artisans for sale. It’s a chance to support the community and find the perfect gift for just about anyone on your list. Best of all, holiday markets are usually free or a very fair price to attend.

Getting your holiday shopping done ahead of time will let you relax and enjoy the season to its fullest. Your friends and family will be amazed and possibly even a little jealous. In the spirit of the season, consider sharing these tips to help their holidays go smoother as well.