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It's that time again - time to complete or at least begin - your holiday season shopping. This year, how about giving a gift to yourself by taking it easy on yourself and your wallet? Here are some tips on how to have fun shopping and bring joy to others, while avoiding bah-humbug shopping hassles and overspending.

Be smart at the outset and develop a budget. Take a realistic look at your finances and determine your overall spending limit. Then, decide how much you can afford to spend on each individual gift. Next to each person's name, write the maximum you will spend on him or her. Also, remember to include any essentials, such as entertainment, decorations, cards and tips or small gifts for coworkers, babysitters, dog walkers, teachers, etc. Consider including a few extra generic gifts, such as picture frames, to have on hand if someone unexpectedly gives you a gift and you want to reciprocate. Do the math and, if need be, adjust your plan to stay within your budget. Costs can add up quickly so know your bottom line and stick to it.

Develop a gift checklist. Get a pen and paper, and brainstorm ideas for what to buy individuals - within the amount you have budgeted for them. Refer to your checklist when you shop so you don't forget anything. Meanwhile, stick closely to your list. Beware of impulse-buy "specials" and "deals" you encounter that may tempt you to blow your budget. Be sure to ask yourself, "Would I buy this if it weren't on sale?"

Shop at stores during off-peak times. Waiting until the last minute to do your shopping is a recipe for stress and overspending, while shopping early gives you time to comparison shop for the best prices. To avoid crowds and long lines, get started today, if you haven't already. Good times to shop: in the morning or late at night. Bad times: right after work or on weekends. If you have a specific item in mind to buy, consider calling the store first to make sure it's available there.

Go online to research the best product at the best price - and to buy. Let's say you want to buy your son a digital camera, but are unsure which one to get. Go online and study reputable user reviews and ratings. When you select the product you want, visit sites such as mysimon.com or pricegrabber.com, to find the best price. Also, check delivery charges and "ship by" dates to ensure your gift will get to the recipient in time. Many online retailers will offer free shipping - at least for standard ground shipping.

Save your receipts. Check a store's refund or exchange policy and keep your receipts. Whenever pos- sible, also get a gift receipt for items. That little piece of paper makes it easier for a person to return a gift if he or she - forbid - doesn't like it or if it's defective.

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Sources: realsimple.com, money.cnn.com, cbsnews.com, christmas-celebrations.com, loanbased.com and goodmoneyhabits.wordpress.com