Don't forget a gift receipt

Almost everyone has experienced a time when they received a gift they really didn't need or necessarily want. You could re-gift it and give it to another person when the time comes, or you could put it in a corner in the garage to collect dust. There's also the option of putting it on Craigslist or eBay and selling it. The best option, however, is to return the gift and get something else. This task is hard to complete if you lack a receipt.

One problem with a standard receipt is that it shows the price paid. You don't want your recipient to know how much you spent. A gift receipt takes care of this problem since it does not show the actual price. Including the gift receipt in the box with your gift may not be the smoothest move, but it is practical and ensures that your gift will not go to waste.

If you can, wait until after the holidays

You may be lucky enough to have certain people or circumstances that allow you to delay your shopping. If it's just you and the wife, you may come to an agreement to wait until after the holiday season to go shopping for some must-have goods. Many retailers tend to cut prices after the holidays to help move unsold inventory. If you don't absolutely need to buy something early, then hold off. Also, you may decide to stock up on certain items for next year buy taking advantage of deals on seasonal items that pop up after the first of January. For example, you could buy winter clothes such as coats, gloves, etc. at discounted prices and avoid having to buy them at higher prices next year as winter comes.

Plan, be smart, and enjoy the season

Planning ahead will save you stress and money. If you shop smart and don't wait until the last minute, you will be able to enjoy the holidays without stress.