A Safe And Stress Free Christmas Season?

(AP)-There's no question the holiday season is a busy time of year. And it's easy to get overwhelmed if you don't plan ahead.

Financial experts suggest that when it comes to Christmas shopping, you start with a reasonable budget -- and then stick to it.

One option for making things easier is to hold a gift lottery within your family, especially if it's a big one, to cut down on the number of presents needed.

When it comes to decorating, safety experts warn about possible fire hazards -- such as faulty lights or poorly placed candles. And take special care to keep the tree away from the fireplace.

Also, if infants or toddlers are in the house, or are scheduled to visit during the holidays, remember to keep things like nuts and hard candies out of reach. The same goes for packaging materials such as foam or plastic.