I do it. You do it. We all do it–procrastinate. I’ve already had to run into minimarts, supermarkets, and malls for forgotten tissue paper, tape, cards, wine, and vermouth. And it’s not even December. I gotta get my act together.

But should you find yourself staring at a wall of wine this season, trying to decide between a Wallaby or some other such (adjective) + (animal), crazy fonts, and gold edging and the like…maybe some of my tips will help:

How to buy wine & dash, Red (on) Alert in the Seattle Weekly

And if you live in Seattle, be sure to visit the Weekly’s new food blog, Voracious.

Yeah, that’s right–I just commited the double plug. Let’s shoot for the trifecta: You are planning on tipping the people who help you out all year this holiday season, yes? I mean, you tip the mailman for christosakes, you should at least get something for the barista that has to listen to your shit five days a week, right?

Doesn’t have to be much, it’s the gesture. But someone who cuts your hair, does your nails… And the people that help you select wine or cheese all year round…how much have you learned from them? IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI it is customary to tip these folks in December. (Oh let the bitching and moaning of nice but cheap Seattlites begin….)

But I’ll have my $20 and under gift guide for service industry employees next week….