I have done some homework on the basics but I am not sure how to avoid scams, upsell or just getting ripped off?

What other sites are available to find providers? Do I need to be a VIP on this site to find one? Lookin for an Xmas gift for myself today!

Seeing well established women with TER reviews is the best way to avoid scams.  A good review history on a woman means that others have seen her and had positive experiences.  Answering an ad on BP or CL is an invitation to disaster in many forms.

Sorry to say this but last minute horniness is your enemy here.  if you wanted to get laid on Christmas day you should have started thinking about it a couple of weeks ago.  Sure, you can probably find a girl working today but you are going to have to roll the dice unless you can find reviews here.

Even on regular days, sometimes you just don't find a provider that you want right at the moment you want.  If you don't find somthing that you want available today, check again tomorrow.  The available stock updates often.  I would suggest not just jumping on somthing that is available right now.. be selective and wait for the opportunity to see the provider(s) that you want.

Find a good, well reviewed provider on TER that looks appealing to you and set it up.  You really don't NEED VIP, just look at the ratings and read the basic reviews.  If she isn't up to snuff, it will stand out in her basic reviews.  If she is well reviewed on here you should be gtg.  The biggest scam I've run into is bait and switch, but you should almost never get that from a well reviewed girl on ter.  All the bogus problems come into play when you take the chance with girls that have no reviews or history.

Once you become more seasoned, you can search CL and BP for potential things of interest, then search the phone numbers on google, TER etc.  If they have reviews or ads on other sites, you'll probably find them through google searching the phone #.  For your first few, stick strictly with well reviewed TER girls, follow the basic rules of the road and you'll have a great time.  

Perfect Christmas gift idea BTW!  

Although a VIP is not needed it is highly recommended. That way you can see in more detail the services you are likely to see and not be disappointed. Remember the profile is set up by the first reviewer and possibly the provider's services have changed or the first reviewer didn't want or check out other services. There is just so much more information you can get from being a VIP. IMHO