Christmas Shopping for the Whole Family - Great Ideas for Gifts on Play.com and Amazon

When you think of Christmas shopping do you think of twinkling decorations? Shops stuffed to the ceiling with potential presents? Excited children who can't wait for Santa to make his yearly trip down the chimney? Or do you think of bustling crowds, stressed shop assistants, tears and tantrums?

Shopping online with sites such as Play.com and Amazon may not conjure up the Christmas fantasy of yore, but it does have advantages. Avoid the rush. Relax. My Christmas shopping guide will help make sure your stockings are stuffed well in advance of Santa's visit.

Gifts for Mums and Dads

Being a mum can be a stressful business. Why not help yours to relax with an engrossing Christmas read? There are great deals on books available on Amazon and Play.com, from romantic sagas to gripping autobiographies of big name celebrities. If your mum isn't the type to soak the hours away in the bath with a good read, there are some cheap offers on bathroom gift sets including shower gel, body lotion and bath salts that will help her forget the stresses of the day.
For dads, DVD box sets are a great way to keep them entertained over the Christmas period. If they're the gadget-loving type, Play.com has a huge selection of phones, tablets, laptops and accessories that are sure to delight the techie in your family.

Gifts for Kids

Children are likely to be sure, far in advance of December 25, which of the latest toys they hope to find under the tree. Don't face the disappointment of the inevitable Christmas sell-out, grab their new toys online and benefit from convenient choice and quick delivery.

Amazon and Play.com have a huge choice of toys available over the Christmas period, so you can make sure that you're well stocked with exciting presents whatever the age of your kids. For young girls, you can't go wrong with soft toys and books, especially when they feature their favourite cartoon characters. Older girls will enjoy arts and crafts sets and fashion accessories - Amazon has a huge selection to choose from.
For boys, the old favourites are often the best. Lego and other construction sets are not only great fun - they'll also encourage your kids' creativity and imagination. When they get a little bit older, they'll enjoy the range of safe, simple science experiments on offer at Play.com.

Gifts for Teenagers

Anyone who knows a teenage boy knows how much they love their videogames. Check Amazon and Play.com for the latest and greatest games or, if you're looking for bargains, have a look around for some older titles that they may have missed - once games have been out for a little while, the prices tend to creep down.
Amazon and Play.com both now offer clothing, which makes them excellent places to pick up the biggest brands that fashion-conscious teenagers can't live without. Shopping online for clothing is almost always cheaper than the high street, so you can rest assured that your teenagers will have the latest fashions whilst you'll still have some cash left over for the January sales!

In the run up to Christmas, many online retailers offer a guaranteed delivery service if you order before a certain date, meaning there really is no reason to face the Christmas rush head on. Sit back with a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine and let Amazon and Play.com do the hard work for you.