Long before the bell ringers line up outside department stores, smart shoppers have already been planning for their Christmas shopping needs. Could you be one of them? With the right strategic plan, you could, realistically, get all of your shopping done before the Christmas carols hit the radio. By doing this, you will not only save stress, but also you will likely save money.

Shop all year

When you are out and about getting your groceries and toiletries, keep your eyes peeled for deals. You can be done with

Christmas shopping before school even starts in the fall if you pick up a few things throughout the year. Toys and other gifts regularly go on sale, and you will love having time in your schedule and money in your pocket when Christmas rolls around.

Using layaway

Layaway is becoming increasingly popular, as stores are dropping their fees for this service. Get the hot toy for your kids now, before it is gone, and stick it in layaway, where you can pay for it a little at a time until Christmas comes. You will be the star Christmas morning when your kids open the hottest gift, and you will be pleased knowing you didn�t waste a bunch of money by waiting until the prices soared right before Christmas.

Use sales

Sales are the best way to stock up on gifts to use at Christmas. Take advantage of some of the biggest shopping days of the year, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are the times when you can score big-ticket items, like a television or hot gaming system, for a discounted price. If you have kids on your list, learn when the major retailers have their big toy clearances, and mark those days on your calendar.

Go early

Going early helps you avoid stress and feel successful as you do your Christmas shopping. Going early doesn't mean one or two days; get out there well before the holidays are in full swing. This helps you find the biggest inventory and the smallest crowds. It can also mean heading to stores early on the days they are having sales. The earlier you shop, the more successful you will be at finding what you need this holiday season. In addition, you have all sorts of time during the season to spend time with your family and friends, without having to worry about whether or not you should be shopping.

Make a plan

As you are planning a shopping trip, make your plan strategic. Visit stores where you can get more than one gift, rather than traveling all over town to hit a bunch of individual stores. Head to the most important stores first on big shopping days like Black Friday, because you may run out of time to hit all of the stores on your list if the crowds and traffic are bad.

Go fast

One of the biggest downsides to shopping sales is the tendency to over-spend. When you see great deal after great deal, it is tempting to stuff your cart. This is not a good idea. To avoid this, make a list, check it twice and then stick with it. Get in the store, find your item and get out. This will make shopping less of a chore and will help you avoid spending more than you should for items you don�t really need.

If you do it early, Christmas shopping can go from dreaded chore to welcomed challenge. All you need is the right plan and the discipline to start before you feel the urgent need to shop. By doing this, you will take the stress out of this important yearly ritual, so that you can sit back and enjoy the magic of the holidays.