With Christmas Day 9 days away, it is time to get serious about holiday shopping. If you are ahead of the crowd and are already finished, kudos to you! However, if you are like myself, there are at least a few items that remain on a loved one’s wish list. Here are the top ten holiday shopping tips from the National Retail Federation:

1. Shop after 6:00 pm the evening before a sale is advertised to begin. Many retailers program the registers the night before, so the sale may already come up in the system despite there being promotional advertisements displayed around the sales floor.

2. Prepare a list to use while you are shopping, be sure to include alternative choices in case of stock-outs.

3. Take advantage of stores’ extended hours and shop during these times. This helps avoid crowds.

4. If you are looking for a specific advertised item, bring the advertisement with you. That way you do not end up with the wrong item or in the wrong store.

5. Always use gift receipts in the case the merchandise needs to be returned or exchanged.

6. Remember when gift shopping you are buying for someone else’s wants and needs, not your own.

7. Shop safely! Watch your personal belongings including handbags and purchases. Stores are not responsible for any lost items.

8. Save yourself some time for other to-d0′s on your holiday agenda, let the charity group at the mall wrap your gifts.

9. When shopping online, have your credit card and address book available at your fingertips. Many websites have timed windows to complete shipping and billing information.

10. Wear comfortable shoes! You will be walking a lot on tile and marble flooring.

Hope these tips are found to be helpful!

Happy shopping,

Crystal VanZandt (Linda Miller’s winter break intern)

Here’s a deal worth exploring.

Spend $200 on your Discover Card and get a $20 Discover gift card at participating malls nationwide from Nov. 1 through Jan. 4. You can get up to 5 gift cards.

There are five participating malls in Oklahoma — Quail Springs in Oklahoma City, Sooner Mall in Norman, Shawnee Mall in Shawnee, Tulsa Promenade in Tulsa and Central Mall in Lawton.

For details, check www.discovercard.com/mallpromo/index.html

Helen Ford Wallace, Social Columnist