This year, my family joined the masses and headed out to the mall on the day after Thanksgiving, lovingly called Black Friday. By the way, does anyone know why it's called Black Friday? Anyone? Bueller?

Black Friday is the day supposedly that retailers go in the black or is profitable thanks to all those we joined at the mall shopping. A ton of money and debit cards are thrown down on the Friday after Thanksgiving, along with a lot of sweat and tears. That's why this year, my wife and I decided to take the shopping spree at a more leisurely pace by implementing the following recommended practices during the holiday shopping season:

Number 1 -
DON'T GET up at an hour that could arguably still be the previous day. I know, getting to the stores early for those door busters are a great way to save. Let's get real, the door buster deals are in such limited supply that its likely for you to get your hands on those deals anyways so go ahead and sleep in so you will won't be run down by 10 am.

Number 2 -
DO use parking and concierge services available at many shopping centers. On our shopping trip to Bellevue Square on Black Friday, we drove right up to the valet parking inside the parking structure of the Lodge area of Bellevue Square and gladly paid the six bucks for all day parking to avoid waiting over a half hour that many did to find parking. This will remove an early stress of your day and put you at ease and in the right mood.

Number 3 -
DON'T miss the back and foot massages available at Brookstone. This is a fabulous break in the shopping madness and most likely recommended your chiropractor and podiatrist. In fact, make a point of visiting Brookstone multiple times during the shopping day.

Number 4 -
DO use customer service agents/reps at department stores such as Macys and Nordstroms and independent stores like Eddie Bauer. No, these helpers don't follow you around and pick gifts out for you. That's no fun. Instead, after picking out items that you might want, you ask the customer service agents/reps assistants to please hold the items picked out until later in the day when you come pick them up. This way you are not carrying around an arm full of accumulating bags from various stores and you can go back and make a final decision if you really want the items. You may run across another item(s) that is a better deal than the items you put aside.

Number 5 -
DO make multiple strategically placed snack stops along the shopping adventure OUTSIDE of the lunch/dinner rush times. While spending the day at Bellevue Square, my wife and I stopped for a mid afternoon snack at Z Tejas for catfish beignets (catfish crusted with cornmeal and fried crisp, served with jalapeño tartar sauce), their famous margaritas and THE best cornbread anywhere, period. Then later, after dinner, we made time for a time out at the Nordstrom Cafe for a gin martini up and a bowl of sumptuous crab bisque. (By the way, Holiday shopping tends to be an interruption to many great football games, both college and NFL. Nordstrom's has a great seating area in the men's department with big screen TV to catch those games). These small bite breaks along the way kept our attitudes in check and our bellies feeling good.

Number 6 -
DO take advantage of the delicious samples offered at Bellevue Square's specialty shops like Harry and David for white chocolate pretzels or Moose Munch along with Oil and Vinegar, with 40 international gourmet oils and vinegars on tap. They have an incredible passion fruit balsamic vinegar that is a must. I'm told by the service rep that it is great in a cocktail. I'm sold.

Number 7 -
Do spread the holiday spirit. The holidays are for good cheer and wishes. Avoid wishing bad things upon those with less of a jolly attitude as you. Remember, another break is right around the next store (if you follow the recommendations above). Perhaps, instead of getting into it with others, let them in on some of these recommendations. Their attitudes will reflect it.

Another way to enjoy a shopping spree - take in the holiday entertainment of Snowflake Lane where it snows outside of Bellevue Square every night leading up to Chistmas as live toy soldiers and a drum line performs with holiday songs.