Holiday Shopping Diva here with another dose of sanity to add to your holiday shopping excursions this year. One of the most difficult things about the whole holiday gift giving process is that even with the best-laid plans there is always a hitch. Sometimes this is a minor set back that can easily be rectified, other times it is not so minor.

What do you do when your toddler happens to set his heart on this season’s equivalent of the cabbage patch doll or tickle me Elmo toy? (Bloodshed is not an option.) Let’s face it, if your baby or toddler wants the season’s ‘it’ toy, you may need a plan B.

When you think your list might be laden with toys that will be snapped up before the boxes are off the delivery truck having a good offense is the only way to go. The only offense in shopping is to shop longer and harder than the other shoppers. This means you will need to start looking for that red wagon early in the season and with a great degree of frequency until it is secreted away for your child.

If shopping till you drop does not yield the perfect tricycle then a special order might be what you need. You might pay a bit more in shipping, but at least you will get the gift you are after. When implementing the special order plan B do not forget to allow time for shipping and check the internet as well as in-store ordering options.

One of the less popular tactics but one that might need to be used is simply knowing when to say when. Holiday shopping and gift giving should be fun especially when you are shopping for kids. When no other gift will possibly do this can be difficult but you do not need to abandon all hope of ever presenting your child with a beautiful step stool just her size. All that needs to be altered is the timeline. The mad rush to buy a holiday toy passes with the holiday season. To this end buy the gift and present it to your child for Valentine’s Day, a birthday or just as an out of the blue I’m thinking of you.

Plan B options also include the second choice gift. Sometimes the perfect gift that you just can’t find is also the one you thought of yourself. You know your child will just love a rocking horse, but she didn’t ask for it. In this case make a last minute gift substitution. Your child will never even know, and your sanity and stress level will decrease.

Don’t forget the power of the internet. Many gifts that are not to be found in a traditional store are available with very little hassle on-line! I have begun doing much of my holiday shopping online. It is great! Stay tuned for more internet shopping tips that will certainly spice up your holiday shopping.

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Let’s face it - this is a Christmas where budget is a consideration for many of us. But you can still give your friends and family the perfect gift. A copy of Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns, an award-winning guide with descriptions of more than 1,400 inns and B&Bs, includes a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate.

The certificate is valid at any of the inns in this book, and your loved ones can save up to $300, depending on which inn or bed and breakfast they choose. The guidebook itself, costs only $24.95, which is a huge bargain when you consider that the average savings is more than $140. Here are some of the romantic examples of inns that accept the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate.

If you want a taste of luxury, try the Cheshire Cat Inn in picturesque Santa Barbara, California. The guest rooms and suites are spread among two restored Victorians located in the town’s charming downtown area, within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Each of the rooms is decorated with Laura Ashley fabrics and fine furnishings; some have a fireplace, Jacuzzi tub or perhaps a balcony or patio. Guests are treated to an expansive continental breakfast each morning, and on weekends, a full, gourmet breakfast is served. Each afternoon, the innkeepers serve local wines and hors d’oeuvres for their guests. The rates run from $199 to $410, but with the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate, you could save more than $400 off a two-night stay.

At the Williamsburg Manor Bed and Breakfast, guests enjoy plenty of amenities, from the beautifully decorated guest rooms with fine lines, fluffy robes and antiques to the delectable homemade breakfasts. The Virginia inn is just a few minutes away from Colonial Williamsburg, and near to plenty of other interesting attractions, such as the James River Plantations and a myriad of museums. By using a Free-Night certificate, guests can save up to $179 off a two-night stay.

The Big Apple is just 28 miles from the historic Pillars of Plainfield Bed and Breakfast. Aside from its close access to New York City, this historic New Jersey inn offers travelers a bit of romance and luxury, as well as plenty of peace and quiet. The seven-room inn is decorated with antiques. Queen beds are topped with fine linens and down comforters. Amenities include wireless internet, handmade bath products, cable TV, laundry facilities and much more. A three-course breakfast is served each morning featuring fresh, seasonal fruits, freshly baked breads and daily entree. Rates range from $125 to $250 per night.

The guidebook is available at American Historic inns thorough its website, ILoveInns.com. This website also includes detailed listings for more than 19,000 inns, B&Bs, and other unique lodgings. Another gift option available at ILoveInns.com is a handy printable gift certificate. This instant present can be used at thousands of the website’s listing, and offers a quick and easy gift solution.

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Germany is a land of extremes. In this ancient land, you’ll find geographic wonders ranging from the sand dunes of the North Friesian Islands to the towering Alps to idyllic pastoral land dotted with enchanting villages. You can visit castles, sample some of the world’s best beer and wine, explore historic sites and so much more.

Of course, you’ll want to visit Bavaria, home to Munich with its many unique towns and villages, of which Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most famous. The castle, by the same name, was the inspiration for Disney’s signature Sleeping Beauty castle. There are plenty more interesting destinations, so consider planning a trip other regions, as well. You might a journey to Germany’s most northerly province, Schleswig Holstein, and visit Hamburg and the surrounding area. Another idea would be to explore the Black Forest, which boasts picturesque scenery, relaxing spas and even casinos.

On her popular travel website, writer Karen Brown suggests several interesting itineraries for travelers to Germany. She offers detailed descriptions of various regions, as well as driving directions and suggested pacing. In addition to this helpful information, her readers also have voted and chosen the following inns and hotels as Germany’s best lodging experiences:

Situated across the Elbe River from the city center of Dresden, the Hotel Bulow Residenz offers romantic accommodations in a quiet neighborhood filled with historic homes. From the impressive Baroque exterior to the elegant interior with its mix of traditional and modern dcor, this is truly one of Dresden’s best hotels. Breakfast and afternoon refreshments are served in the charming courtyard. The hotel’s formal restaurant, The Caroussel, is Michelin-rated and ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. Cocktails, wine and beer are served in the hotel’s piano bar. The hotel has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” hotel.

Travelers flock to Rothenberg, a medieval town enclosed by ramparts, turrets and walls, to experience its history and fairy tale charm. But a visit to this enchanting village would not be complete without a stay at the Romantik Hotel Markusturm. The historic hotel was built in 1264 as a toll house and is absolutely filled with Old World German ambiance. Guest rooms are eclectic, filled with a mix of old and modern, including quaint touches such as a baby’s cradle in one guest room. Hosts Lilo and Stephan Berger infuse this hotel with their warmth, from Lilo’s welcoming dcor to the delicious meals served by Stephan. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s “Warmest Welcome.”

Enjoy warm hospitality without a high price tag at Gasthaus Die Krone. The hosts of this family-run hotel are friendly and helpful, offering both a restaurant and accommodations. The exterior is decorated with a unique mural commemorating the Revolution of 1848. Inside, guest rooms are light and airy with simple pine furnishings and comfortable beds. The hotel is located in a quieter area, designated as a pedestrian-only section of town. Karen Brown readers chose Gasthaus Die Krone as the recipient of Germany’s “Greatest Value” award.

The Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof offers both a unique location and all the amenities of a full-service resort. The hotel is the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s best “Splendid Splurge.” It is located on Sylt, a sand-dune island in the northernmost portion of Germany. Several farmhouses comprise the hotel, all connected by glass corridors. There are plenty of different room options, and this is an excellent place for families. The hotel has a babysitting service, as well as a room full of toys and a children’s program. The restaurant serves breakfast until 1 p.m., so guests can take their time heading out in the mornings. There is a sauna and swimming pool, and you can even book a massage.

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