If you can add your name to the hat, here’s some last minute Christmas shopping (and really regular shopping) advice…

1. Make a game plan before you leave the house.  This will keep you from running around like a chicken with its head cut off. You’re welcome.

2. Know exactly what you’re getting when you get there. If you walk in a store with the plan to “figure it out what to get your boss when you get there” chances are you’ll end up wandering down the “you” isle, looking for things for “you” and generally waisting time.

3. Budget. Really, we could leave that word all by itself and it would be explanation enough, but I did want to add that if you set a budget it’s much more fun to see what great gifts you can get without going over.

4. Wear comfortable clothing.  Remember, it may be cold outside, but it’s not 30 degrees inside the mall, so dress in layers. I found this out the hard way the other night when I dressed for Antarctica and ended up splurging on an ice cold drink to keep my temperature down-calories and money down the drain.

5. Watch the purse weight. It burns more calories and is a lot more comfortable if you walk your purchases to the car in between places.  Don’t make the mistake of stuffing your purse with them and thinking that your now 10 pound purse will not, in fact, affect your mood, cause it will (and your Aunt Mimi will end up with whatever you can find in the clearance section closest to the door).  Our purses should only weigh 2.5 pounds, that’s right 2 and a half pounds. Keep it light-and your mood will be too!

And remember, be kind to the clerks and people behind the counters.  As my husband always says, you catch more bees with honey then you do vinegar, so if you need something it’s easier to get on their good side by being kind. Plus, you never know who’s watching you, so be patient!

Merry Christmas!!