TIPS ON GETTING A HEAD START WITH CHRISTMAS right around the corner and the usual worries about what to buy for whom, the best advice is to get organized early. With a little more than a month to go it’s important to start think- ing about early shopping for friends and families living overseas, The first thing to do is make a list of names of people you want to buy gifts for and jot down your ideas. It can be a challenge trying to come up with a creative gift for each person, especially someone you see infrequently — making it doubly important to get an_ early start to avoid last-minute shopping and the frustrations of long check-out lines, crowds, and the pressure of finding just the right gift. Don't become over-burdened with finding the perfect gift; it’s the thought that counts. Some- times it might be of benefit to ask a friend or relative what they would like, or take a chance and surprise them. The important thing is to get it done and be ahead of the game. It’s particularly important to shop early this year if you’re celebrating Hannukah, which falls earlier than usual on Dec. 4. If you enjoy shopping sur- rounded by festive store decora- tions and displays, that will make shopping more of a joy than a burden. Most stores usually have Men's Acid Wash Jackets the bulk of their Christmas stock on display a month prior to Dec 25, so selection isn’t likely to be a problem. If you don’t enjoy crowds and waiting around for a salesperson or if you can't get out to the stores for whatever reason, shopping by catalogue is a good alternative. But leave yourself plenty of time, delivery takes time. If you’re planning to send packages or parcels overseas by airmail and hoping they will arrive in time for Christmas, the deadline for most European countries is Dec 1. Some countries have earlier deadlines so it’s wise to check with your local post cffice. Dec. 3 is the cut-off date for most letters and greeting cards go- ing Overseas. Once again this Christmas the post office is offering its Greet More program through which Ca- nadians receive a 5 cent discount on postage for cards maifed in Canada... **This is clearly a psogram which responds to our custemers’ needs and is growing in popularity every year,’’ said John Aiken, Canada Post Office, Field Operations and Sales. The combination of the coded envelopes and 32 cent stamps will save you money and speed up the mailing process. Men's Dress Shirts Reg, 12.99-15.99 ony D4”? Men's Sweaters Reg. up to 34.99 ony 1 9”? 23 - Wednesday, November 9, 1988 - North Shore News Carol Ships return PAGE 41 NEWS photo Cindy Ballamy GRACE BELLAMY gets a head start on Christmas by wrapping up gifts early. Overseas mailing deadlines are coming up fast so Grace has saved up packing materials during the year so she is prepared for the Christmas rush. The next thing to think about is how you’re going to get that pres- ent — particularly if it’s fragile — over thousands of miles in one piece. Some packaging companies can deliver delicate presents like glassware and china by covering each item with a special protective Only Unisex Fleece Only 1 Ass’t Denim Skirts Reg. up to 44,99 bubble wrap and then injecting a type of liquid styrofoam which bloats up around the item in a custom-fit mold. Valuable presents, computers, china — can be custom-fitted with sheets of styrofoam and packed in- to a wooden crate. Ladies’ 14° Whatever kind of gift you’re sending, the traditional advice for mailing presents overseas is the same: make sure the parcel is stur- dy 2nd packaged well with the proper wrapping paper. Stick to the mailing deadlines and you’ll be set. Ladies’ Ass’t Cotton Pants eg. 34.9! ‘Ladies’ Ass’t Jeans Only 9° All our clothing is of Ist quality Mon.-Wed. 10-5 Thurs.-Fri. 10.9 Satrudays 10-5 Sundays & Holidays 12-5