Tips for Battling the Holiday Shopping Crowds---and Coming Out Alive!

1. *Wear sneakers so you can run for that sales rack and snag a bargain before your competitors, ahem, the other shoppers.

2. *You'll need a BIG bag for this. Bring every catalog and flyer that's arrived in the mail within the past week; you might think you won't visit a store until you realize that your store of choice ran out of what you wanted to buy.

3. *Pull your hair back, preferably into a bun or ponytail. You don't want ONE strand to get in your eyes. You can't afford to miss a bargain.

4. *Wear old clothes. Shopping right before the holidays can get pretty ugly.

5. *Bring your own bag or basket; depending on where and when you shop, there might not be any carts left for you. If you have a lot to buy, it's worth your time to hire some mall elves to carry your bags for you. C'mon, the kids really only care about seeing Santa Claus, anyway.

6. *Drive your mini-van or SUV---parking lot traffic will crush that two passenger car. Remember, everyone else has procrastinated just like you!