Strategies to help you survive mall madness

• Hours of operation this weekend at O'ahu's major shopping centers
• Want it to get there by Christmas?

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Brace yourselves. That insane rush to shop till you drop has come upon us.

Shake the tryptophan (amino acid in turkey that causes sleepiness) out of your system and gear up to get through one of the year's busiest shopping weekends.

Experts offer the following shopping survival strategies this holiday season. While many of the tips may seem like common sense, it's easy to experience mental glitches in the midst of mall madness and forget what's logical.

So read on, take notes and happy shopping!

Plan first. Make a list of people to shop for and work out a budget, said Conchita Malaqui, assistant general manager of Waikele Premium Outlets. Sticking to a list means not forgetting anyone and not spending way too much.

She also suggests making a game plan: Visit Web sites of shopping centers you want to visit, and make note of print and TV advertisements to see where the sales are. Shoppers can then figure out which stores to go to for the best bargains, and in what order to visit them. This also saves time.

Sleep well. "Gets lots of rest the night before," Malaqui said. "People should be well rested and well fed before they go."

Dress appropriately. "Comfortable shoes are No. 1," said Lisa George, special services manager at Macy's, Ala Moana Center.

"And take a bottle of water with you because this is a sporting event, you know what I mean?" said Pono Shim of the Concierge Services at Ward.

The early bird gets the worm. "The best time of the day (to go) is always when the stores first open," George said. "It's not going to be crowded and the parking lots are fairly empty." (See box).

Don't be a picky parker. Take the first open parking stall you see, even if it's in the outskirts of the lot, Shim said.

"With most people, what I find is that when they go to Victoria Ward (Centers), they're always trying to get parking as close (to the stores) as they can," Shim said. This only leads to frustration, he added.

Take breaks. Take time out in the middle of shopping to have lunch or dinner, George said. These breaks can help frazzled shoppers re-energize, and it would also be a good time for them to check on the progress of their shopping lists.

Don't forget to treat yourself, too. "People should also remember that it's no fun if they don't get to buy for themselves as well," George said.

Think outside of the mall. If the thought of crowded malls freaks you out, consider your neighborhood strip mall, swap meets or craft fairs. These venues not only offer some breathing room, but many one-of-a-kind gifts as well.

Patience is a virtue. "I would emphasize, especially for the holiday season, to (have) lots of patience. That's key," Malaqui said. "After all, it's a happy season."

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.

Hours of operation this weekend at O'ahu's major shopping centers

• Ala Moana Center: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. 955-9517.
• Aloha Tower Marketplace: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m today and tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 528-5700.
• Kahala Mall Shopping Center: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 732-7736.
• Pearlridge Center: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Sunday. 488-0981.
• Waikele Premium Outlets: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 676-5656.
• Ward Centre: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 591-8411.
• Ward Warehouse: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 591-8411.
• Windward Mall: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 235-1143.

Want it to get there by Christmas?

While you're checking things off your "To Do" List, you might as well plan to mail no later than these dates to ensure timely arrival.

Mailing to Japan, China or the Philippines

• Letters and cards: Dec. 3
• Packages sent via Air Mail: Dec. 5
• Packages sent via Global
• Priority Mail: Dec. 10

Mailing to the Mainland

• Packages sent as Priority Mail: Dec. 16
• Letters and cards: Dec. 17
• Packages sent as Express Mail: Dec. 20