There are two very different types of Christmas shoppers. For some people, the run up to Christmas can be just as exciting as the day itself the Christmas lights in the high street, the sound of familiar Christmas songs in the shops, and the copious amounts of sparkly tinsel to bring a little cheer to the festive shoppers.

The other type of Christmas shopper will know only too well that this romanticised image never lasts long. There are only so many times you can listen to Noddy Holder singing in one day, and of course walking mile after mile through the overcrowded shops, burdened with several shopping bags, can really take its toll on the poor feet.

The majority of us can probably admit to buying a lot of things over the internet these days, and looking for Xmas Gifts online is the perfect opportunity to indulge. For anyone who thinks the idea of buying Xmas gifts online sounds a bit less intimate, think again. With the whole world just the press of a button away, internet shoppers are far more likely to find that exclusive Xmas gift for their loved one. Buying Xmas gifts from the high street means that customers only come across those gifts that are out on display for all to see and for anyone to buy - but investing in personalised Xmas gifts, such as a personalised Christmas calendar or a personalised bottle of champagne, you can be certain that your Xmas gifts are a real one-off.

Browsing the internet rather than browsing the shops on foot means that customers are always able to find the best value for money. There are plenty of price comparison websites available to let you know which shops sell the same Xmas gifts at the better price. What's more, even the retailers have to stay on their toes and so the internet can be the best way of sourcing out those real winter bargains and discounts. Many retailers will give you a discount just for buying online so with all of that extra money saved, you can always put it towards buying a little treat for yourself.

Christmas is widely thought of as a time of year best spent with your family, but for anyone who finds themselves separated from their loved ones at Christmas time, then online shopping might just soften the blow. Perhaps you have relatives living abroad, or a close friend who is travelling the world - with access to shops on an international scale, internet shoppers can ensure that no one has to get by without Xmas gifts from their loved ones anymore. Getting Xmas gifts delivered to an address that isn't your own is just a simple matter of typing in the delivery instructions - a great way of giving Santa Clause a little bit of help.

As retailers begin to fill their shelves with extra goods at Christmas, it can be easy for customers to get overwhelmed with the level of choice that surrounds them - decision making can be a time consuming affair, particularly if you're not entirely certain whether the gift will have the desired effect. One of the greatest things about buying Xmas gifts online however, is that many retailers include customer reviews onto their websites, giving you that all important second opinion.

It should really go without saying that one of the biggest advantages of buying Xmas gifts online, is that you can save hours of your valuable time. There are no long queues for the till and no crowds to fight your way through; but the time-saving doesn't have to end there. Many retailers even offer a gift-wrapping service at Christmas time, ideal for anyone who lacks the time or the ribbon-curling skills required, or simply just as a guarantee that no one can have a sneaky peak at their Xmas gifts before you've had a chance to hide them away.

The best thing about buying your Xmas gifts online is that you don't even need to venture from the house to do it. The festive season can bring a chill and as the days get shorter, it's likely that you may find yourself walking around in the dark wondering where to go next. With the world's biggest market at your disposal in your own home, you can put on the comfy slippers and pour yourself a cup of mulled wine...Noddy Holder music is completely optional.