Whether you observe the winter holidays or not, they are coming up beginning with October 31st and Halloween through New Year's Eve. Already we are seeing advertisements for the Christmas shopping season.

Everyone is affected by the crowds of people shopping and seeking the best bargains sales and buys for the season. Even those of us who might be BAH Humbug! We are undulated with bell ringers and merry makers and on top of all that the weather is cold, snowy, wet icy.

Who invented the holidays in this darkest of days of the year. Oh well you can look to many factors. The Greeks, Romans, Babylonians and others all wanted some sort of festival to celebrate to bring back the warmth and light and brighter season.

The Jews had their own festival of lights called Hanakkah and Constintine made a decree to combine all the merrymakers into one making the sun of light Mithras and the Son of God light of the world into one holiday and declared to new Christians and Pagans alike that December 25th was the birthday of Christ. Though the truth is he was born in the Fall of the year.

At any rate. Many celebrate this time of year and commercialism is rampant starting as early as the end of August for some merchants eager to make the buck and so begin putting out Christmas decor while others wait until just after Halloween but ignore Thanksgiving.

If your not a Christmas keeper or don't observe any of the winter holidays this might be a time that is especically stressful and annoying to you. I hate this time of year to shop even for groceries and I am not the shopping type anyway so shopping this time of year is even worse for me and I am sure for others.

So I thought I would make some suggestions that might help this year and help you plan an easier shopping time next year.

First plan your shopping trip, make your list of what your going to town and the markets for. This will help cut your time if you have a plan and a list. Allow for slow traffic and other unexpected situations. Give yourself a half hour leeway each way.

Go early in the morning before most others are up and around as soon as the stores open. Or wait until after 9:00 at night many stores this time of year are open until midnight and some are open 24/7.

So plan to shop when you will encounter fewer people. You will be less stressed, get your shopping done and be out and home before most others get out and about.

If you are a holiday shopper again make your list. More than one. First who your getting gifts for and think about why? Do they give gifts in return? Do you think great aunt Lulu is going to leave you a million bucks? Probably not so why buy for her unless she is someone really dear and close and because you have a great relationship.

You can burn your self out and run up your credit card unnecessarily buying gifts for people who don't or rarely give in return. Start with your family. Your children and spouse or S/O know their likes, dislikes, hopes. Second KNOW your spending limit and budget. Learn to say NO not this year or sorry we cannot afford that.

Children especially need to learn just because the ads on t.v make it sound wonderful and good does NOT mean that is what they will get. They have to learn reality sometime. Furthermore small children often are happy with about anything a doll, truck, game.

Older kids too need to know limits. If they really want an expensive item maybe they need to go get a part time job babysitting or mowing lawns or something. Be practical.

It is not going to be the end of the world if they don't get an Ipod or Blackberry or some other new gadget.

Know the stores you can afford don't shop at high ticket stores if you cannot afford them.

Best of all why not start your holiday shopping in January and start buying next years gifts a few at a time each month.
Make home-crafted gifts and if your family is close and there is a lot of love they will understand that the holidays are about love and sharing not material goods and things.

You cannot replace quality time spent laughing, dancing, singing, playing games, skating, sledding, reading a good book with things. Things wear out, they come and go, you out grow them and they don't last but family is what you need around you. Even in the humblest abodes with less than $40.00 you can make the holiday joyful. Make homemade cookies, fudge, knit or crochet sweaters,mittens, hats or make quilts.

Shop on-line is another way to save you time and often money. Amazon.com, Overstock and E-bay are great avenues for shopping and many retail stores have on-line shopping as well.

You can avoid most the traffic and crowds if you plan, and think ahead. Even grocery shopping which is something you might have to do a couple times a month you can avoid the crowds by going earlier or later and be much less stressed and happier.

As to the merry wishers. So what if they say "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Or Seasons Greetings. Big deal you can smile, say thank you and move on. The season is short and why stress over something that didn't really hurt you.

Further pool a ride and time to shop with other family or friends and you don't even have to drive or maybe drive one way and them the other. With that said Happy Holiday Season to all of you from one who does not keep them.