Shopping for presents during the holiday season is one of the most stressful things about this time of the year. It can be even more difficult if you have no idea what to get someone. Whether you're stuck on what to give your mom or the person you barely know in your workplace gift exchange, follow these tips to overcome your gift giving struggle.

Think About The Person. Think about who you are shopping for. What do they like? What do they need? What reminds you of them? What's something you two have in common? Did they mention anything they really want or need? Asking yourself these questions is a simple thing to do when starting the gift idea process. When you're done doing that, make a list of all their interests and needs, then take it from there.

Do Some Research. If you're really stuck and have no clue what to get someone try to fish some ideas out of them. Take a look at their social media, see if they've posted anything or created an online wishlist. Or ask the people who know them the best for some help. Or you can take the direct approach, ask the person if there is anything they wish Santa would bring them this year. It can be a fun conversation topic and it can actually help give you some ideas!

When In Doubt Be Practical. When you get really stuck an easy thing to do is think of the things this person will actually find useful. Because the worst thing you could do is give someone a gift just because you have to give them a gift. You can never go wrong with giving someone a practical and useful gift. Simplicity is always key.

Don't Procrastinate. When you have no idea what to give someone, sometimes putting it off seems like the best idea. This isn't always the case. Instead of putting it off, keep it on your mind. Maybe while shopping for gifts you know you need to get you will see something that will help inspire you.

Just Have Fun. The whole point of Christmas is to spread joy and good cheer, and it's important to never lose sight of that. If you're still stuck on what to get someone, think about what would bring them joy? What is something fun for them? Giving them something that is simply enjoyable or provide an enjoyable moment is something every one needs.

When it comes to buying gifts, don't take it all too seriously. The whole point of exchanging gifts is to spread joy and show the people you care about how much they mean to you. Don't sweat the small stuff. Whatever you end up getting or doing for someone this holiday, I'm sure they'll appreciate the effort you made and that's all that really matters.

Now it's time for me to follow my own advice, there are two weeks until Christmas Eve and I do not want to be one of those last minute shoppers out there! It's time to buckle down and finish up all my Christmas shopping. How about you, how do you overcome the gift giving struggle? Let me know! Until tomorrow.

One of the most chaotic places during the holidays that you don't really think of too much about is the post office. This time of the year is the post office's busiest time of the year. Think about it people send out Christmas cards, order packages from online retailers, and some even send out packages for loved ones who can't make it to the holiday celebration this year.

Since the post office is so busy around this time of the year, it's clear as day there will be some struggles. The post office isn't perfect, I know this for a fact. I have a great disdain for the United States Postal Service, due to their incompetence and struggles. Which can be even more stressful! But in order to avoid those struggles and mail things out with ease this holiday season, follow these tips!

Be Timely. Waiting until the last minute to order presents or ship things out can be the biggest downfall of the holiday season. If you're doing some online shopping this year to avoid the crowds make sure you order your packages in a reasonable amount of time. Waiting until the last minute to do your shopping, especially online shopping, is one of the worst things to do. You'll either have to pay a lot more for expedited shipping or your items won't show up on time at all. Some websites will post on their pages when the last day to order is to make sure you get your items on time. Best practice is to allow for two weeks for standard shipping. Also if you're going to mail packages and cards, estimating for two weeks works too. Either way if you plan for two weeks, odds are it's going to get where it needs to go sooner rather than later! If you can't make that deadline, take a look at USPS's Mail By Date deadlines. Christmas is two weeks away so if you haven't ordered your items yet get to it ASAP!

Shop Smart. If you know you're ordering something online that you're going to have to ship somewhere else, use the location of where it needs to go as the shipping address. That way it gets where it needs to go and it saves you some time and extra shipping costs. Some online retailers will even include gift messages. Specifically, Amazon offers gift wrapping and gift boxes at an extra cost, and it will be wrapped in the package. But if you need to send out a package for the holidays, try other delivery retailers like UPS or FedEx. They can be a little more expensive, but they have an overall better reputation than USPS. Also, if you are a Triple A member, UPS offers a ten percent discount on your order.

Plan Ahead. The post office is going to be busy no matter what, except when it is closed. Check your local post office to see when they open and close. The busiest times will be in the morning, during lunch breaks and in the evenings once everyone is off work. There will be very few amount of moments when it won't be crowded, especially when Christmas is getting closer. According to USPS, the busiest day at the post office is projected to be on December 19, while the busiest days for deliveries will be December 22. So to make sure you're not stuck at the post office all day, make sure your packages are all taped up, labeled and ready to go. To save a lot of time, you can order and print out a label at home, put in on your package and then just drop it off.

Patience Is Key. If you're going to wait in the long lines, relax and be patient. You're not the only one who will be annoyed and stressed. Just try to keep calm and carry on. Bring something to keep yourself occupied. Bring a book, a newspaper, or check your social media. Do something that makes you less stressed and it will help pass the time.

Be On The Lookout. Lately, lots packages have stolen from door steps. Which is a real jerk move, especially during this time of the year. Speaking from personal experience, I'm going to warn you now the United States Post Office won't do anything to help you at all if a package of yours is stolen. So we have to take matters into our own hands. It is all of our duties to make sure we keep an eye out for one another. If you know something is on the way to you, check your tracking information constantly and try to be home for the expected delivery day and time. If you're not going to be home, you can always have the post office hold your packages and you can pick them up at your convenience.

Sending and waiting for packages is one of the most annoying and unavoidable things that must be done during this time of the year. But as long as everyone keeps a positive mindset, it shouldn't be too much of a hassle this year. As long as you follow these simple tips, your post office struggles will be nonexistent.
Until tomorrow.

One thing that really seems to be forgotten during the holiday season is giving. Sometimes the focus is solely on the sales and presents. But what is more important is that we focus on what the holidays are all about, giving back.

Here are some ways that you can give back this holiday season:

Use AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is a way to support your favorite charities while you shop on Amazon. All you have to do is use the link: smile.amazon.com, sign in to Amazon, and then choose a charity. There are over one million charities to choose from and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to charity of your choice.

Visit A Nursing Home. Nursing homes can be pretty lonely, especially during the holidays. So why not take some time out of your busy schedule and spend some time chatting with a senior citizen. Maybe bring them a holiday card to get them in the spirit.

Donate Toys and Clothing. Why wait until spring to do some decluttering? Why not take the time to go through your unused toys and clothes and donate them. Local shelters and churches will take these donations and put them to good use. There are also organizations like Toys For Tots and the Salvation Army who also take any kind of donation.

Adopt A Family. Lots of local organizations and religious groups can give you the opportunity to sponsor a family in your area. When you sponsor a family, you help provide them Christmas. What that means is that you will provide food for their meal and some presents. It's a great way to help a family in need!

Donate Can/Boxed Food To A Food Bank. During the holiday season, your local food banks could always use extra items. Why not donate a couple extra food items to those in need? There's probably plenty of cans or boxed food items in your pantry that you don't need right away.

Anonymously Pay For Someone’s Lay-Away. When you put items on lay-away, you pay a deposit to secure an item for later purchase. This can be paid off by using a payment plan or paying it off in full when you can. For those who are tight for money or have bad credit, it is a popular alternative for holiday shopping. If you really want to give back, you can go to stores like Wal-Mart or K-Mart and anonymously pay off the rest of someone's lay-away balance. The family will get a call and they can come retrieve their items. It's a great way to really make someone's holiday.

Volunteer At A Shelter/Soup Kitchen. Not everyone has lots of money to donate to charity, so something even better that you can do is donate your time. Any kind of shelter or soup kitchen can always use extra help no matter what time of the year. Donating your time and energy is a really valuable and gratifying experience.

Do A Simple Act Of Kindness. Sometimes people can be selfish, so why not do something small that could really make someone's day. Why not pay it forward when in line at your favorite coffee house and buy a drink for the person behind you? Or give a generous tip to a waiter or server. Or maybe buy a homeless person something to eat! Anything small like that really could brighten someone's day, and it could inspire them to be just as kind and generous as you.

If you decide to give back somehow during the holidays this year, just remember it's not a competition. It doesn't matter how big or small your gesture is, what really matters is that you decided to take the time to be selfless. Whether you donate money, items, or your time, someone will appreciate the effort you made. So tell me, how do you plan to give back during the holidays?

Until tomorrow.

Getting in the Christmas spirit isn't easy for everyone. Some people get sad around the holiday season and there are a whole lot of Grinches and Scrooges out in the world. If you don't want to be a Grinch or a Scrooge here are some ideas to get you excited for the holiday season.

Give. Whether you're giving gifts or giving back to your community, it's a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Give gifts to your loved ones to see the joy on their face, not just because you have to because it's Christmas time. If you're not into the commercialization of Christmas, give back. Volunteer at a soup kitchen and give to those who are unfortunate, your work will be appreciated.

Relax. Dealing with crowds can be stressful and so can prepping for such a big holiday. If you're not in the spirit because of stress, just take a deep breath. Curl up on the couch with a good book, or even watch one of your favorite holiday movies. Or even listen to your favorite Christmas music! After you relax and unwind, I guarantee you'll at least feel a little bit better.

Decorate. Sometimes decorating your house or office space can really help to get you in the Christmas spirit. Also it can be fun! Get a tree and put some ornaments up! Or hang garland around. Or add some Christmas lights! You don't have to put a lot of decorations up, just enough to make you smile and feel joyful.

Communicate. Spend time with your loved ones! Don't wrap yourself in work and make time for friends and family. If you don't live near your loved ones, the Christmas season can be tough. But thank goodness for technology! With Skype and FaceTime, it makes it way easier to communicate from all over the world. Also if you want to be simple, send out Christmas cards and help spread the holiday cheer. Odds are if you miss someone, they miss you too.

Eat. Sometimes when we eat our favorite holiday foods it helps put us in the holiday spirit. Sometimes even the smells help us cheer up! Try a holiday beverage or snack at Starbucks. Or even bake some Christmas cookies! How can you not smile after eating a Christmas cookie?!

Go Out. This one may surprise some of you, but what gets me in the Christmas spirit is going out and exploring. The malls are decorated and play Christmas music! Sometimes some malls and places even do Christmas tree lightings. My favorite thing to do during the holiday season is to go to Disneyland. This may sound insane because of the crowds, but I just love looking at the decorations and riding the holiday themed rides! Plus Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang all have their holiday sweaters on! It's too cute! But if you can't afford Disney, or don't live in the SoCal area, go out and explore your area! Go look at Christmas lights! Find out what kind of local events are going on in your neck of the woods!

Be positive. As simple as it sounds, sometimes you just have to be positive. Think about your life and how lucky you are. You're alive and breathing! That's pretty amazing! Don't think about everything wrong in your life, focus on the good and good will come to you! It's amazing how things can change when you're optimistic.

Sometimes we have to remember why we celebrate Christmas, it's not for the presents, it's because of our family and friends! Think about it, besides the holidays how often do you get to see all of your family at once? For most of us, it's not that often. And remember family isn't just blood, friends are family too. We all have those friends who really feel like our siblings. Just know you never have to be alone on the holidays. Until tomorrow.

The best trip of my life was back in 2001 and it was the first time I went to Europe with my family. I was eight years old and this was certainly the most interesting and entertaining trip, I've ever been on.

This trip was not your ordinary vacation. My brother was going to get married in Sweden, so my mom planned this wonderful two week summer vacation to go along with the wedding. We planned to go to: Paris, France, Malmo, Sweden, Copenhagen, Denmark, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Berlin, Germany, Munich, Germany, Geneva, Switzerland and Milan, Italy.

However a couple months before the trip, the wedding was called off. The trip was nonrefundable, so even though the wedding was not happening, our vacation sure was. Now my brother and the girlfriend did not take the whole trip with us. They were only in Sweden for the "wedding" and only my parents, my other brother and I went on the two week getaway.

As a child I enjoyed Paris the most, something about that city felt right to me. Maybe that's because in my mind, there was soft served ice cream and pastries everywhere. There was also a moment where my family left me in the hotel room by myself and I was terrified because I had no idea where they went. I got ice cream after that so everything was okay.

We traveled by train and that truly is the best way to travel in Europe. No matter where you are in Europe you'll always see the beautiful scenery. Plus there's nothing more amazing than riding a train throughout the European countryside.

There was even one train ride where we had to get on a ferry, and the train actually got put on the ferry, there was a track and everything. That little thing just amazed me at such a young age! A train on a boat?! How cool is that?

Copenhagen was one of my favorite cities on that trip and I'm dying to go back. I got to go to Tivoli Gardens, the world famous amusement park, and inspiration to Disneyland. My most favorite part of Copenhagen was seeing the Little Mermaid statue. Because you know me, Disney freak here, and I love the Little Mermaid! The Little Mermaid statue is in Denmark, because the author, Hans Christian Andersen, is Danish. Denmark is such a cute little fairytale like country and I loved it.

Another city I loved was Geneva, a beautiful Swiss city surrounded by a lake. Our hotel was supposed to be right on the water. Back then there was no Google Maps, so we could not look it up or see the Yelp reviews. Instead we had to trust our travel agent. Well our hotel was not on the lake, it actually was about a mile away and was the dirtiest place I had ever been to. So we went to the Hilton, which was actually on the lake, and checked to see if there were any rooms available. Luckily there were and we even got a suite after telling them our story about being duped. So we left the dumpy hotel and stayed at the Hilton.

Traveling to so many places at such a young age can have its disadvantages. A lot having to do with memories. There were some cities I really didn't remember seeing or remember anything about.

It's sad to say I barely remember being in Germany, because it's such a beautiful country and it's one of my mother lands. I remember some moments, but I don't remember being there. I'd love to go back and see what I can't remember and hopefully jog my memory.

I also don't remember being in Amsterdam. But that is because we didn't spend a lot of time there. We were there for a day trip I think, I know we didn't stay overnight. The reason why I don't remember it is because I slept through it. I think I was tired/jet lagged because there are several pictures of me sleeping in a taxi and at a restaurant. And I have chosen to not share those photos with you all today.

The major advantage of traveling at a young age is that once you start you never want to stop. Traveling can be an addiction, but it is a healthy one because when you see the world you learn a bunch of new things about the world you live and about yourself. This trip started my travel addiction, and I don't see it ever going away. Until next time.