Be like Santa, follow the wise men.

• Position: Christmas Shopping - Brief article

With holiday shopping season ready to go into last-minute mode, those who still have gifts to get may be feeling the pressure. The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, Fairfax, Va., encourages consumers not to panic. Instead, they should take a few steps to avoid spending their way into New Year debt.

For the consumer short on time and money, AICCCA advises borrowing ideas from these notable holiday figures:

* Be like Santa. The first thing you need is a list. Once you make your list, check it twice. Include each person you will buy for, a gift idea, and a dollar amount. To save time and money, comparison shop by perusing newspaper, radio, television, and Internet advertising.

* Use early-bird helpers. Recruit some "I finished my shopping in July" friends to go with you. Divide your list among them and send them off with the cash to buy your gifts. This tactic helps you resist the temptation to spend more than you...