4. Watch for overheating

A good rule of thumb is that if you're going to an indoor shopping mall, you should just leave your coat in the car, and if you're shopping outside (shop to shop, like in New York), you should wear a very warm coat with a very thin layer beneath it. That way, the second you walk into a well-heated store, you can fling that coat over your shoulder and feel like a human being. Also, holiday shopping is one instance where I totally don't recommend a scarf. That scarf will end up as one more thing you have to carry in a shopping bag by your third stop. I can almost guarantee it. (Photo by Shine4Him8 on sxc)