Ah, the holidays. The most wonderful time of the year. When you add up the gift shopping and the gift wrapping, the packed party schedule, and the out-of-town-guests (see our tips on how to survive them), it’s no small mystery why the holidays can be one of the most hectic times of the year.

This year, take back your holidays with these simple steps to save time, money, and energy so you can stay sane and spread holiday cheer this season.

Plan, plan, plan. Those three simple steps alone can save a ton of work! Sit down with a cup of tea and plan your menu and write up a shopping list—then you can make just one trip to the store for everything you need. It sure beats having to run out for the forgotten can of pumpkin pie filling at the last minute! Some great, easy dinner recipes can make meal planning a snap! For a little help deciding what to put on the menu, we share ten new recipes every week. Or, you can pick up a copy of Albertsons easy™ magazine in your local store for some great ideas.

Make a list of everyone that you plan to buy a gift for this year. For those of you who are super planners, you can put down a target dollar amount for each person, and sort them by age group. This way you can organize a single trip to each type of store; for example, one trip to the toy store can take care of all the kids on your list in one stop.

Organize a Secret Santa or themed gift exchange at work with a set dollar limit; say $10.  An example of this is an ornament exchange, with the ornament revealing something unknown about the giver. This limits expenses, encourages your coworkers to get creative and stand back when the exchange begins—it can be fast and furious when it really gets going!

Avoid party burnout—limit the number of holiday events that you attend. If you and several friends always host separate parties, suggest that you combine your efforts this year and host just one larger party. Make it a potluck, and share your recipes! Be sure to decide in advance who’s bringing each dish so you have a variety.

Here are some other tips that can help you stay sane this holiday season!

• Pick up some festive holiday paper plates, napkins, and cutlery next time you are at the store. Not only will it add holiday cheer—it will save a ton of time on cleanup!
  
  

• Go tag team shopping with friends. Mom #1 can stay home with the kids while Mom #2 spends 2­­‑3 hours shopping. Then Mom #1 gets her turn to shop and dash, while Mom#2 watches the kids at home—here are some holiday activities to keep the kids busy.
  
  

• Organize a cookie swap. Have each of your friends bake an extra large batch of their signature holiday treat. Get together for lunch, trade with friends, and everyone goes home with more varieties than they could ever bake themselves.
  
  

• Make your party a holiday sleepover. This way kids can have their party going on in one room while the adults are close by having their fun in another. In the morning everyone can help clean up. The best part: no babysitters required.
  
  

• Shop when the crowds don’t. This means staying home on the day after Thanksgiving—Black Friday! Also, go in the evening on a weekday and check your local malls for extended holiday hours. Often they will stay open until midnight, which is usually a quieter time to shop!