Want peace and joy in your home this Christmas? Start planning for it now

Long lines, parking lots so packed they don't have space left for a pigeon to land, and grocery store shelves stripped of every last morsel of gingerbread, cranberry sauce and cookie dough - such is the likely fate of those who wait until the last minute to prepare for Christmas.

Legend has it that Santa Claus spends the whole year prepping for his big night. While you don't have to go to that extreme, you can still enjoy the benefits of planning for the holidays a few months in advance. Don't let waiting until the last minute interfere with your Christmas fun this year. Here are three areas where you can get a jump-start on the holiday:

Shopping

Does it seem like the "sales" that stores and online retailers promote at Christmas time don't really offer deals that are that great? The truth is, you can probably find better prices -- and a lot less pressure and hassle -- if you shop sales throughout the year and store gifts until the holidays.

Throughout the year, prices fall on certain items that might be more expensive when the holidays approach. For example, spring is the best time to shop for winter clothes as stores clear out their inventories. You can find great deals on laptops, desktops and other electronics around back-to-school season.

To ensure you're ready to seize sale opportunities as they arise throughout the year, start the year with a rough draft of your Christmas shopping list. Of course, the list may change as the year progresses, but having this starting point will help you know what sales to watch for.

Decorating

Of course you're not going to break out the tree and string up the lights in September. But you could start working on your holiday decor by researching and starting on your Christmas crafts. Websites like Better Homes and Gardens (www.bhg.com) archive craft ideas and directions that you can access at any time during the year. You can find guides for making a wide range of Christmas crafts, from personalized cards to beribboned holiday accent pillows.

Starting early on your holiday decorations gives you plenty of time to choose which ones you most want to add to your collection this year. Plus, you may find prices are lower on some craft materials that will be in higher demand - and cost more - as the holidays approach. Finally, making and storing crafts well ahead of the holiday ensures you have plenty of time to enjoy the process, free of the pressure of a looming deadline.

Feasting

Christmas recipes are as important to the holiday's festive mood as twinkling lights and a hearty "ho-ho-ho." What would the holiday be without Christmas cookies and your family's favorite holiday dishes?

While you can make some types of Christmas cookies ahead of time and freeze them for up to a month, you realistically won't be making most holiday dishes so far in advance. However, there's no reason to postpone menu planning. Most of us host multiple events throughout the holiday season. Researching Christmas recipes in advance allows you to plan multiple menus and organize your grocery shopping to save money.

Getting a jump on holiday planning may seem like rushing the season to some. But planning ahead can help ensure that when others are dealing with the holiday rush, you have more time to savor the peace and joy Christmas is supposed to bring.

Courtesy of ARAcontent