Risa Goldberg and Leslie Venokur

With events big and small and everything in between, Big City Moms is the destination for moms, moms-to-be and families. Big City Moms is the premier social event group in NYC, and NYC moms rely upon Big City Moms as their #1 resource. From seminars to family fun days, mommy-and-me classes and expectant events, Big City Moms is the place to be all over the city.

Founders Risa Goldberg and Leslie Venokur are sisters as well as Big City Moms themselves. Risa is the mom of 5-year-old daughter Hallie and 2-year-old twin boys Cooper and Harrison. Leslie is the mom of 1-year-old daughter Samantha.

Big City Moms was created almost six years ago with events geared toward working moms. Since its inception, Big City Moms has evolved to cater events towards all moms, moms-to-be and the entire family. Today, they have over 30,000 members, an online community and events every day in the city.

Tips

1. Ship outside the box
As a mom, I know how busy the holidays can be — between wrapping gifts and picking up last-minute necessities, it seems like the to-do list never ends! One way to save time is to avoid the post office lines and go to a local Staples to ship gifts instead (little-known secret!).

2. Become a fan!
Waiting around for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals isn't always an option for me. I try to start my holiday shopping earlier, but I don't want to miss out on the deals. Staying in contact with the retailers you're shopping at is a great way to be sure you're receiving all the information. Many retailers have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts where they are sharing amazing coupons and shopping deals — especially this year! It's very easy for a modern mom to "fan and follow" and be sure she's not missing out!

3. Find a one stop shop
A one-stop-shopping destination is always best for me. I like to shop at a store that has a variety of options and services to help me save time. Staples has a ton of the big technology gifts like digital cameras and camcorders, but they also have smaller stocking stuffers and even candy for under $10. I can even create my holiday cards online and pick them up in the store when I'm there! It's nice to get an assortment of items all in one stop.

4. Explore easy ship-to-store options
Like so many other moms, the responsibility of organizing family travel falls on my shoulders. When we travel for the holidays, I will often check to see if a store will ship the gift I buy to the destination I'm going to. I can buy a GPS gift at staples.com, ship it to Florida and pick it up at the local store there, instead of carting it along with me!

5. Stock-pile gifts!
I am a gift stock-piler. You simply never know when you're going to need something to give to someone — particularly kids. I like to stock up on a variety of kid gifts like any of the Crayola art kits and craft sets for under $15 at Staples. They are fun, interactive and creative for the kids at any time of the year.

Tina Wysk

Tina Wysk left a 10-year career in law to form MetroplexBaby.com, a web site she built from scratch with her sister Barbara. MetroplexBaby.com quickly became Dallas–Fort Worth's largest parent resource web site, providing families with everything they need to know to raise healthy, happy and in-the-know kids. They coupled this invaluable resource with a unique MetroMoms Events program, through which they host in-person social and informative events. Tina defines a "MetroMom" as a woman who loves life, and believes that it only gets better with kids and that you do not lose your sense of self or style by becoming a mom. Her motto is "Enjoying Motherhood Every Step Of The Way," and she believes that there is a MetroMom in every mom.

Just as MetroplexBaby.com sets the standard in family fun activities in Dallas–Fort Worth, MetroMomsEvents.com sets the standard for products and services available to moms by naming the Best and Hottest Products From Pregnancy to Preschool quarterly. They present the products at a BestAndHottestProducts.com event that sells out to 100 moms in a matter of hours.

Tina enjoys being the mom of two boys and resides in Dallas with her husband who was also her law-school sweetheart.

Tips

Does the thought of holiday shopping bring stress to your life? Here are some tips that will help make holiday shopping easier on you and your wallet.

1. Plan ahead
Begin thinking about everyone you will want to include on your gift list. Consider gift ideas for each person, and whether you will be shipping to them or giving them the gift in person. Think about where you can do most of your shopping; make a list of local retailers and trustworthy online retailers, taking note of shipping offers and ship-to-store options.

2. Do your homework
Spend some time searching for product reviews and reviews on retailers. Check return policies. Can your recipient easily return or exchange the gift? How much time does the retailer give for returns and exchanges?

3. Set a budget
Decide exactly how much you are willing to spend on each person on your list. Don't forget to calculate any extra costs like packaging and shipping.

4. Write down your shopping plan
A written plan can include your recipient names, the amount you wish to spend on them, and possible gift ideas. Additional helpful information may include possible retailers and, if you will need to ship, note the date you will need to complete the purchase by. A written plan helps you organize and keep track of your time and budget, and can prevent impulse buying and last-minute frenzied overspending.

5. Shop early and alone
Plan to shop at less-crowded times and give yourself enough time at each store. While shopping with friends or your children can be fun, you will be able to accomplish more in less time if you shop alone. Take advantage of free wrapping services while you are at the store, and remember to include a gift receipt inside the gift box.

Beth Blecherman

Beth Blecherman started her career in application development, then became senior manager, Computer Process Integrity, for Deloitte. After senior management she took on family management, blogging as her career 2.0. She is a cofounder of Silicon Valley Moms Group, collaborative mom blogs across the country. Blecherman founded her personal blog, TechMamas.com, as a platform to discuss technology and gadgets for families. Beth vlogs with other female tech bloggers at Gadgetspin.com. She also consults with companies on blogger outreach and social media strategies. Beth Blecherman/TechMamas.com was chosen as one of the Nielson Power Mom 50 influencers and on Twitter as one of the 25 Influential Moms to Follow on Twitter, and as one of BizTechDay's 25 Influential Business Women in the Bay Area. Beth is excited to participate in MommyTech at CES.

Tips

1. Shop early
It wasn't until the night before my son was starting fifth grade that I realized I had not checked his school supply list. Luckily, my local Staples was open late that night, so I dashed to the store and roamed the school supply aisle along with other last-minute parents. Seeing all the merchandise reminded me that it's never too early to plan for the holidays!

2. Organize yourself
I dream of asking my husband for a preholiday gift of "upgrading" my home office, along with a 2-hour "I will take the kids while you reorganize your desk" certificate! Being organized would certainly help me stay sane over the holidays. I would like to try the M by Staples line of desk supplies with designs that would spruce up my disorganized desk.

3. Don't Disregard the "Useful" Gifts
I know I would absolutely love a new backup drive as a gift to help me consolidate family pictures from random digital camera flash drives and laptop hard drives to a central location. And then… the gift of a new digital camera would be really great, too!

4. Customize gifts
It's always a fantastic idea to personalize a gift when you can. Customized family gifts like holiday calendars with creative paper templates are often reasonably priced and share priceless memories!

5. Technology gifts are always a great buy!
As THE Tech Mama, I always consider technology gifts for the holidays. At Staples, I shop their assortment of reasonably priced wireless printers and desktop computers. My kids could use a new printer to print out homework as well as online activities and holiday crafts. And the holidays are a great time to get a new desktop with a large monitor in our family room to enable us to watch videos, Web surf and relieve the strain of three kids sharing one laptop.

Lyss Stern

Lyss Stern is the founder and president of Divalysscious Moms, www.divamoms.com, the premier network and event company for 150,000 of the New York area's most fabulous moms. She was recently tapped the editor-in-chief of The New York Observer's new family publication, Observer Playground www.observer.com/playground, launched in September 2009. Lyss is also the co-author of IF YOU GIVE A MOM A MARTINI…. 100 ways to find 10 Blissful Minutes for Yourself, www.ifyougiveamomamartini.com.

Lyss began her writing career with a weekly column, "Divalyssciously Yours," for the style section of The New York Sun. She was also the lifestyle correspondent for Cookie Magazine, sharing her extensive knowledge and advice on the magazine's media channel CookieVision. She has appeared as a guest on NBC's Today show, CNBC, MSNBC and more.

Lyss lives in New York City with her husband, talent manager Brian Stern and their two sons Jackson and Oliver. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University, a Masters in Communications from New York University, and a Masters in Early Education from Hunter Graduate School. She is also the proud owner of a terrific sense of style and a wicked sense of humor!

Tips

1. Capture holiday memories
I always like to buy Holiday gifts that will contribute to the celebration. Last year, I bought my husband a great camcorder and gave it to him right before the kids started to open up their presents. This way he not only got a gift that was definitely needed to capture precious family moments, but he was able to use it immediately to film the kids opening up all of their holiday presents. The tape turned out to be one of my favorite memories because he is blatantly excited about experimenting with his new toys while also filming my two little boys, ecstatic over their gifts.

2. Anticipate needing extras
During the holidays it seems like you always need last-minute trinkets for stocking stuffers or to give to the uninvited relative twho shows up at your holiday dinner. I like to save money and avoid frustration by always having a cabinet full of generic gifts to give. To save money, I pick up sale items throughout the year, and if I find a great deal I buy two!

3. Personalize!
I always like giving personalized gifts. Whether it is an engraved piece of luggage, or a picture frame with a photo already inserted, it adds the perfect touch to let the gift receiver know you put thought into the gift. My favorite idea for this holiday season are the Omnitech products available at Staples, especially the digital photo ornament. This special ornament cycles uploaded images, providing a slideshow of family memories for the tree. What could be better?

4. Keep the kids busy
It's always great to include interactive toys for kids in their stockings, like any of the Crayola products. This way, when their adrenaline is rushing and they are excited about their new gifts, they will play nicely with each other, giving Mom and Dad a great moment to share a special holiday kiss!

5. Give gifts that keep on giving
I also like to give my relatives gifts that keep on giving. This year, one of my favorite ideas is to invest in an ION VCR 2 PC video conversion player for myself, and use it to convert favorite home videos for my friends and family. Doing this not only allows me to save money by buying one item and using it to make gifts for the entire crew, but allows me to have the opportunity to gift them with memories.