It’s official: The Holiday Countdown Clock Has Begun. As it ticks away, the loud heartbeat panic starts to set in. Questions, questions, questions. What to buy? How much money to spend? The now what am I gonna do ultimate stomach churner.

Here are some obvious, but yet often forgotten, strategies to use at this time of the year:

-Do not pay for shipping. Find the product from one of the myriad offers that still include free shipping. If you wait much longer, some of those offers will disappear and shipping costs will exceed the product’s individual cost! Be careful.

–Watch out for super saver shipping headlines–read that info carefully unless you don’t care if it arrives the 28th!

–Buy the local paper. Yes, I know no one reads the paper anymore, but it is still a great way to find coupons and insert deals. Newspapers stay in business at this time of the year from these types of single-day promos, and you benefit from a very limited outpouring of cash!

–Watch the big box retailers who have their prices set well in advance of the holiday season. Many of their great small electronic buys, for example, do not hold up at this time of the year. Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and similar department stores have special one-day houseware and home sales and offer coupons for those special events. That type of shopping often brings the price of the coveted KitchenAid mixer, for example, down below the everyday great super warehouse price.

–Check out the grocers. Not only have they moved into more branded items, but they’ve also expanded their holiday wares in the toy aisle and the handy last-minute grab-it gift sections. They are more than happy to make fruit baskets, coffee/tea combo sets–you name it; they want to make it happen.

–Make your own food baskets–we’re not talking robotics here but sensible solutions for great gift-giving. Coffee shops are more than happy to help out if you become completely flummoxed.

–Buy a basket; get brightly colored tissue paper, and fill it up. Your choice. Personalized food items are especially popular. Make your house-brand of specialized cookies. There’ll be few complaints.

Get your blood pressure in line, and you’ll have time to wrap!