Don't procrastinate. Gone are the days when those who celebrate Christmas can both start and finish holiday shopping on December 23. Give yourself time to make several short shopping trips so each trip doesn't land you flat on your back for a couple of days.
Also, keep in mind the time of day you go out. Crowds are thinnest in the early morning, which means better parking spaces and less of a chance that you'll be too overwhelmed. Of course, mornings are the worst time for a lot of us. If you have stores in your area that are open late or all night, that might be the best time for you. Might as well take advantage of insomnia, right?
