If you’re like most of us, you’re spending the day today with family and friends if you’re lucky. Everyone has eaten more than their stomach could bear and now they’re kicked back with their feet up, and their shoes off, relaxing. Well tomorrow will be a completely different story if you plan to start or finish your Christmas shopping on Black Friday. Here are a few tips to get you through it.

• Plan ahead. – Know what you need to get and where you need to go to get it. Fill up your gas tank and run by the bank a day or two in advance.

• Map out your travels. – Once you know what you need to get and where you need to get it, map it out so that you’ll save time traveling by going to the stores in the order it takes to make a big circle heading away from and back to you home.

• Plan to be patient with others. – Expect long lines, crabby shoppers and drivers and stressed out cashiers. Be a blessing to them by keeping your temper in tact.

• Bring a protein bar or quick snack to keep you going.