Holiday shopping is either the bane or boon of the holiday season depending on who you speak to. Whether you love the holiday shopping season, or don't exactly look forward to it, this guide is going to give you the same tips and tricks that the pros use. Holiday shopping and gift buying can be a fairly easy, stress-free process when you know when to shop, how to shop, and where to shop in order to find killer deals and savings. Discovering popular sale days such as Cyber Monday, Green Monday and Black Friday will positively benefit your shopping experience in numerous ways. Learning new budget friendly methods of shopping will not only save money, but cut your stress down immeasurably. If you're ready to learn all of the ins and outs of holiday shopping, how to find amazing coupons, discount codes and save big, this ultimate guide is going to take you step-by-step through a stress-free experience!

How to Shop Quickly and Efficiently
No matter where you live, or if you shop in stores or online, these shopping tips and tricks will keep you sane during the busy holiday shopping season. The majority of these guidelines apply whether you shop online or in local stores. Remember to keep in mind that in order to take full advantage of holiday shopping promotions and discounts you will find the best deals on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Green Monday. Other shopping specials such as Free Shipping Day should be taken advantage of as well. If you are ready to discover a stress-free option of holiday shopping, follow these tips and tricks. !

✓ Make a list (and check it twice)
Start off your shopping season by compiling a list of everyone you will be giving gifts to. Check your list twice to make sure you have everyone. Out of courtesy, if you know someone will be giving you a gift, they should be on your list as well.
✓ Create a budget and stick to it
Next to each person on your shopping should be what gift they will be getting, and a price limit on how much you will spend. Even though this is one of the harder tips, always stick to your limit.
✓ Decide on your shopping method
Are you going to be shopping online, in store or a combination of both? Do you prefer shopping on big sale days like the 2011 Black Friday if you shop in store? Are you aware of the online sale days like Cyber Monday and Green Monday?
✓ Plan and organize your trips
This tip mostly applies to those who shop in stores. Before you head out, come up with a strategy. Which stores will you visit? Can you save money on gas or transportation by visiting stores in a certain order? If you have any gifts on your list that you aren't positive will be at a certain store, call ahead. It may save you a trip.
✓ Shop online
Shopping online is one of the best tips for any holiday shopper. If you can shop online, go for it! There are numerous reasons for this. While shopping online, keep in mind that there will be huge sales this 2011 Cyber Monday, 2011 Green Monday and 2011 Free Shipping Day.
✓ Become a coupon/discount/promotional code addict!
If you can use a coupon code, discount code, or a promo code, you should. In the heat of the holiday shopping season there will be numerous opportunities to apply these. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on some extreme promotions and sales.
✓ Be patient and decisive
Don't rush into a purchase, especially an expensive one, until you have compared prices and are positive it is the best possible deal you could be getting.
✓ Stick to cash
If you shop in stores, stick to only using cash for purchases. This will also help with sticking to your budget.
✓ Take advantage of free in store services
Free services like gift wrapping should always be taken advantage of. Imagine how much time and money you can save through doing this.
✓ Never wait until the last minute to shop
Start shopping as soon as you start seeing the best holiday deals. Wait until Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Green Monday. However, if you see an exceptional deal, don't hesitate if it is rare and you know you are receiving a good deal.
✓ Be creative
Homemade gifts are always the most cherished gifts. Whether you have a strict budget, or can afford expensive gifts for everyone, taking the time to make a card or a gift is priceless.

Black Friday: One of the Best Sales of the Year
If you love shopping in stores and experiencing the exhilarating holiday shopping season rush, then Black Friday is the shopping holiday that you need to experience. Black Friday occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It is a busy day in which stores have killer deals and promotions on almost anything in the store. This 2011 Black Friday will occur on November 25. Any store which follows Black Friday will offer coupon codes, promotional codes and discounts on their products. It is wise to sign-up for newsletters (in the mail or online) in order to discover any promo codes or coupons, and to help in planning on what you will be buying from which store. If you are planning to brave the hectic 2011 Black Friday shopping holiday but aren't sure how to find the best deals in all of the chaos, keep this simple advice in mind.

A week or so before Black Friday come up with a plan and do some research. Make a list of everything you will be purchasing. You will want to figure out what time stores will be opening, which stores you will need to visit and do a little price comparison. If there are any products, like electronics or appliances, which you are planning to purchase, make sure that you research with brand and model you will be going with. With all of the deals, promotions and sales that happen during Black Friday, you will probably buy more than you really wanted to unless you stick to a budget. Use cash rather than a card to prevent you from spending more than you planned to. The last bit of advice is to remember that the better organized your planning is, the quicker and easier your shopping will be. There is going to be people everywhere, and you can easily get overstressed. Don't sweat it and enjoy yourself. If you can't find a certain product, wait until online sales such as Cyber Monday and Green Monday occur!

Why Shop Online?
If you've never shopped online, you may be a little confused about why online shopping, or E-Commerce, has become so popular. If you still shop in crowded, busy stores and waste precious gas money driving back and forth between malls and shops, you should rethink your holiday shopping strategy. Imagine being able to buy any holiday gift on your list without having to commute to shopping centers, deal with fellow frantic holiday shoppers, and waste money driving back and forth across your city trying to find something when you can shop in the quiet comfort of your own home. Online shopping literally opens up a world of different stores in which to purchase gifts. If you are still hesitant, why consider these following pros to shopping online.

✓ Your selection of stores is open any day or time
✓ Save money by not having to drive or pay for public transportation
✓ No more stressful traffic or long waiting lines
✓ Compare prices quickly and easily
✓ Find gifts that may not normally be available in your local stores
✓ You won't have to lug any heavy bags around crowded malls
✓ It is friendly to our environment
✓ More time to spend with loved ones
✓ Availability to discount codes or coupon codes is greatly increased
✓ Having the freedom to shop wherever you are, even in the complete relaxation of your own bed
✓ 3 words: Cyber Monday, Green Monday and Free Shipping Day

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of compassion, gift giving and relaxation. It is a time to spend time with cherished loved ones, not stuck behind a steering wheel in traffic or waiting in long lines to purchase a simple gift. Shopping online not only takes all that stress away, but always frees up your time for much more important things like friends and family.

Cyber Monday & Green Monday: How to Save
Did you know that ever since 2005, Cyber Monday has been one of the busiest days for buying holiday gifts online? Cyber Monday occurs on the Monday after Thanksgiving. This 2011 Cyber Monday shopping season will occur on November 28. Green Monday is similar to Cyber Monday, but was created for a different reason. Green Monday occurs on the 2 Monday of December and was created by Ebay. Green Monday is considered to be the last day in which online shopping can be done without having to pay for expedited shipping. If you are ready to take full advantage of Cyber and Green Monday savings, follow these simple steps.

✓ Join your favorite store's E-Newsletters
Subscribe to these types of newsletters a couple weeks prior to Cyber Monday. By joining your favorite store's newsletter you will receive special promotional codes and discounts that may not otherwise be available.
✓ Be selective in where you shop
For ultimate savings this 2011 holiday season, purchase from sites which offers the best deals and discounts. If you can purchase the same gift from a store than offers free shipping and exceptional coupon codes, why go with the weaker competition?
✓ Compare prices
This tip is especially important if you are purchasing expensive holiday gifts. The purpose of participating in Cyber Monday or Green Monday sales is to find the best deals out there. Taking a few extra minutes to search other sites could literally save you hundreds on an expensive gift.
✓ Seek out coupon or discount codes
This is the number one shopping tip that especially applies to online shopping! Always look for coupons codes and discount codes. Always take advantage of promotions as well. If you can't find promo codes for a certain website, search for it online. There are many websites which host coupon codes that may no longer be visible on the site.

With online shopping quickly gaining the favor of many holiday shoppers, Cyber Monday and Green Monday are the most efficient way (and day!) to shop online while taking advantage of numerous promo codes, discounts, and even free shipping!

How Will You Shop This Season?
There are numerous ways to save money and keep you sane this holiday shopping season. Thanks to the internet, you no longer have to brave the chaos of malls and stores. You can simply do all of your shopping in the comfort of your own home. Cyber Monday, Green Monday and Free Shipping Day will give you excellent savings if you shop online; usually better than ones you can find in stores. Even if you prefer shopping in stores, Black Friday is the best day to find amazing deals on normally expensive products. Refer to this Ultimate Guide to Holiday Shopping to help this 2011 holiday shopping season go by quickly, easily and be kind to your checking account all at the same time.

Posted on Mon, October 10, 2011 11:27 AM

From working at retail stores during Black Friday myself, one of my tips is to always be polite to the employees! Black Friday isn't hectic for just you. Imagine all of the rude shoppers that these people have to deal with! Aside from that, I love this guide. It even has some of the secret tips that very few people besides those who work at the stores know.

Posted on Sat, October 15, 2011 01:56 PM

I actually never do my holiday shopping online. I honestly love the excitement of finding that last great gift sitting on the shelf! Doing your holiday shopping with friends is another tip I would suggest. It keeps your experience light-hearted and fun. Also, combining your shopping with a catch-up lunch is a great way to take a break too.

Posted on Tue, October 11, 2011 12:54 PM

Shopping online is the best way to go! One of my secrets is that you can almost always get the Black Friday prices online that day. I don't think this works for door busters. On the majority of the sale items, you can purchase them for the same price online. This saves you the enormous hassle of driving to stores, waiting in traffic, standing in line, and fighting the crowds while shopping!

Posted on Mon, October 10, 2011 12:03 PM