Tips for Reducing Holiday Shopping Stress. It’s never too early to get a jump on your holiday shopping. There are only 72 days until Christmas! That may sound like a lot but in reality, it will be here before we know it! Now is the time to shop for best variety. Plus, you can spread out you're spending over a length of time.

Early holiday shopping has many benefits: better product selection, easier budgeting, avoids crowds, and perhaps most important - the peace of mind later in the season knowing you’ve made progress (or even finished!) your list while others scramble for last-minute gifts. And who couldn’t use a little less stress around the holidays? My brother-in-law is notorious for shopping last minute and paying hefty shipping fees too!  Don't find yourself in that boat!

Early shopping may be more common than people realize. In fact, according to a recent report in USA Today, one million U.S. consumers finish their holiday shopping by September. My goal is to always be 100% done by Halloween. It gives me peace of mind and I can really enjoy the season. If you haven't tried shopping for the holidays all year long, it is something that I suggest you consider.  I start after the holidays for the next season and shop all year long to reduce stress and help with my budget.

Tips For Reducing Holiday Shopping Stress:

Get Organized - Make a list and check it twice. Be sure to include every person that you are shopping for this season including teachers, service industry (dog groomer, pet sitter, tutor etc), family and friends. If you make a detailed list, it will help you when shopping in advance.

Create a Holiday Binder - I use a three-ring binder that I use to keep organized during the holiday season.  In it keep my shopping list, menu plan and recipes.  This is a great place for me to make notes and keep sizing information for my family too.  It is also where I keep my Christmas Card list.

Set a budget and stick to it - It is important to create a budget and stick to it.  You want to set the budget per person and make sure that you don't exceed it.  This will not only help you in terms of overspending but also keep you on track while shopping.  If I find a deal for one person, I may be able to spend a little more for another but I am not temped to blow the budget overall by overspending on each person.

Get a jump start on holiday shopping - Shop early at the Sears Member Bonus Event happening on Sunday, October 16, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. This special event will give Shop Your Way Members exclusive access to the Sears Days Lowest Prices of the Season Sale that doesn’t begin for everyone else until the following weekend.  Shoppers will have the chance to check items off their holiday shopping lists early this season at Sears Member Bonus Event and score some greats deals. You can check it out at Sears.com

Worried about shopping early and those prices may be lower later in the season?  That is always a concern. However, unique just to this three-hour event and something Sears has never done before.  Sears is introducing the Sears Holiday Guarantee.  When you shop in-store during the Sears Member Bonus Event on Oct. 16, if any item purchased goes lower in the same store between that night and Dec. 24, Sears will automatically credit you the difference back in points, up to a maximum of $100 in points per member. * That includes Black Friday doorbuster pricing! (*Points awarded 1/16/17) You must shop IN-STORE for holiday guarantee.

Some of the items on my shopping list:

Teacher Gift - Crazy Cups Flavored Coffee Single serve cups Variety Pack, $14.24

Dog Sitter - Laura Scott Women's Pajama Shirt & Pants - Dot, $13.99

Mom - Creative Motion Industries Tea Pot Metal Clock, $25.99

Dad - Craftsman 20 pc. 6 pt. Standard and Metric Easy Read ⅜ in. Dr. Socket Wrench Set - $34.91

Niece - Ladies Pink Dial Roman Bracelet Watch - $19.99

Nephew - University of Kentucky Wildcats Sweatshirt, $39.99

Peyton - Soccer Jersey, $19.99

Enter to win a $100 Sears Gift Card Giveaway

Ready to shop for this Holiday Season?  We have a $100 Sears Gift Card to giveaway to (1) lucky Stockpiling Moms winner! The giveaway ends on 10/17/16 at 9:00 am ET.

UPDATE:  This giveaway is CLOSED

The Winner Is: Samantha W.

To Enter:

Tell us who you would be shopping for if you won the gift card giveaway.

Bonus Entries:

Come back daily for an additional chance to win and say Bonus Entry with the date.

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post on behalf of Sears.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Melissa Jennings

Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.