SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Byline: Jeanne Peck Orlando Sentinel 

It's that time of year again, when fruitcakes and holiday office parties plague your life, and the thought of driving anywhere near an airport is enough to send you into a panic.

Before the turkey saps all your energy, remember that you have a lot to do before this holiday season ends. So here's our Holiday Survival Guide to help you master the art of being jolly without going nuts.

Mailing packages

Here are some guidelines to make sure your packages reach their destinations:

Write legibly. Use indelible ink or type addresses on adhesive labels. Addresses should be clearly visible at arm's length. Use current addresses and the longer Plus Four ZIP codes to speed delivery. When mailing parcels, tuck a list of all the contents and the sender's and recipient's names and addresses inside the box.

Use proper containers. A sturdy box, reinforced bag or fiber mailing tube could prevent damage. Perishable or fragile items, or items that should not be folded or bent, should be marked as such on all sides. Postal clerks have rubber stamps for this purpose, or you can write it on the package yourself.

Cushion delicate items with shredded newspaper, polystyrene or bubble plastic for extra protection against shocks and vibration. Mailing tubes, bubble wrap, cardboard shipping boxes and strapping tape are available at post offices.

Use pressure-sensitive, filament-reinforced tape to seal packages. Don't use twine, cord or outer wrap - such as brown wrapping paper or grocery bags - because they tend to get caught in mail-processing equipment.

Address only one side of your package.

If you're sending something valuable, insure it.

When sending an oversized envelope or package, mark it with the appropriate level of service - First Class or Priority Mail, for example. If the large envelope or package isn't marked, it may go third class, which can cause a delay.

Mail early. First-class mail takes one to three days, parcel post takes seven to 10 days. Send your holiday cards as you write them; don't hold them all and mail a gross at one time.

Suggested Hanukkah and Christmas mailing dates: For parcel post, Dec. 13; for international priority mail, Dec. 18; for domestic priority mail, Dec. 20; for express mail domestic, Dec. 24. The post office will make deliveries of express mail on Dec. 25.

Call your local post office for information on rates, extended holiday hours and expedited mail services like overnight express mail delivery.

Coping with crowds

There are ways to survive the crowds and aggravation that often come with the holiday season:

Shop early. One of the best ways to beat the crowds in stores and malls is to get there first. Things tend to be relatively quiet in store and mall aisles for the first hour or so, and parking spaces are a snap to find. You'll get much more accomplished by shopping for the first hour over three mornings than for three hours during one afternoon.

Shop late. Stores and malls usually extend their hours of operation during the holiday season to 10 p.m., 11 p.m. or even midnight. They tend to empty out an hour or so before closing. Good parking spaces open up, too. You'll get more accomplished by shopping for the last hour over three evenings than for three hours during one afternoon.

Shop after midnight. Wal-Mart is one of the chains that has at least some stores open 24 hours a day. All carry plenty of gift items, and not one is crowded in the wee hours of the morning.

Many upscale stores offer a shop-at-home option: a shopping service. You call the store and tell them what you want. Their shoppers will find the gifts, wrap them and send them off for you. Many small, high-end boutiques also offer this service.

Make a list and stick to it. By making a list, you'll avoid making repeat trips to the mall, and you might be able to resist the temptation to overspend. Sticking to this list is especially important if you plan to make purchases with credit cards, the plastic nature of which can make it easy for consumers to buy more than they can afford.

Use credit cards instead of cash, if possible. That way, if there's any problem with the gift, you can dispute payment through the credit-card company. It can sometimes be difficult to get cash back from a retailer.

If you do plan to make lots of purchases with credit cards and plan to carry a balance, at least make sure the cards you use have have a relatively low-interest rate.

Check the return policy on gifts you buy. Holiday gifts often sit around for weeks before they are opened. For example, if you buy a gift Friday, the usual 30-day return policy would be almost expired by the day after Christmas.

Dress comfortably when you shop.

Be safety conscious. Watch your wallet and your packages. If the bags get overwhelming, stow them safely in the trunk of your car.

Holiday parties

Whether you're the life of the party of the wallflower near the punch bowl, you'll likely have to endure at least one office party this holiday season. Glamour magazine offers these tips for surviving the festivities with your dignity - and your job - intact:

Dress festively. Even if the event is held at the office during the day, wear something that says ``party.'' Go dateless unless you would be the only solo there. You need to focus on your co-workers, not a bored guy or gal who would rather be elsewhere.

Drink carefully. Cut your usual drink limit in half, or better yet, drink nothing. Stress and alcohol don't mix. Carry a glass if you must: Even if it's just tonic water, the prop will make you feel more comfy.

Circulate. No hiding in the corner with your best office buds. Make an effort to greet and thank anyone who helped you during the past year, including support staff. Don't forget your boss - especially if she or he is left standing alone in a corner.

Mend fences. Use the party's halo of good cheer to improve any strained relationships. It's easier to say, ``We haven't always agreed on tactics this year, but I respect your ideas,'' with a glass of tonic water in your hand than a pen and flow chart.''

Say thanks. Thank the party organizers and don't forget to acknowledge the boss, especially if he or she footed the bill.

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Photo: The holidays carry obligations such as buying gifts and attending office parties, but they don't have to drain your enthusiasm if you plan ahead.