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Show Don't let the Pre-Christmas hassle spoil your Christmas Spirit by Mary Gae Evans Each year at this time, I feel the need to publish a list of shopping tips to help those who are bordering on the verge of a nervous breakdown, break-down, or, those like me, who are already beyond that point and beginning to stutter and gaze about with glassy eyes as we drift aimlessly through the crowded stores. First and foremost, shoppers remember: do your shoppin in August-or am I too late on that one? If you have managed that incredible feat you can now sit in your clean living room and enjoy watching the flashing lights on your tree and not worry about unfinished un-finished sewing (with thread and yarn trailing about the house), boxes, scraps of paper, or wrapping paper rolls for the kids to shout into or sword fight with. But, enough of that, if you don't fit into that category perhaps you need these next tips on shopping ease. Rule number two: you know that cute pair of shoes you have with the three inch heels? Well, shove them back under the bed and get your old worn out Keds, and leave the girdle in the drawer. Rule number three: When you go to get your loan at the bank, get at least twice as much as you did last year and maybe you'll have enough if you cut your list in half. Rule number four: DON'T TAKE THE KIDS!!! Find a sitter, tell Grandma they've been dying to visit her for a day, or lock them in the basement, but don't take them. They will tear you and the stores apart. You know how kids are in stores stuffed with Christmas 1 goodies- they harass you tc buy things to play with and I junk to eat and then they spill the ice cream, ketchup, and mustard on your white pants. Kids have a sixth sense about bathrooms too. They never have to go if you are anywhere near one, with your hands full of things, waiting in the check-out line, and suddenly they can't wait a moment longer. They also know just when to escape your clutches in the most crowded stores, and you can spend ages trying to figure out what aisle or clothes ) rack they are hiding in. I If you are planning on shopping in a mall or someplace where there are alot of stores to choose from, here is a way to tell which shops to go in. If there are no more than two or three people in the shop and two of them are clerks waiting to pounce on you, don't go in. There won't be anything you can afford. If the store is crowded and you can't find a clerk, enjoy it, you'll find all kinds of bargains. Rule five: Don't buy anything for the two to ten year old group until the last minute because they'll change their minds every day from now until Christmas about what they want. And, of course, if you wait until the last minute the stores will be out of the chosen items. Rule six : Try to do most of your shopping from 9 to 11 a.m., the stores are least busy at that time-everyone else is home cleaning their houses or keeping up with the laundry. After 11 o'clock the stores will be dreadfully crowded with people who didn't leave their breakfast dishes. Rule seven: Take a large bottle of aspirin with you, do some pushing and shoving (politely) exercises, and you're all set. Now doesn't that sound fun? Above all, don't let the pre-Christmas hassle spoil your Christmas spirit. After all, it only comes once a year-thank goodness! |