If you're going through all the trouble to replace your receptacles it's a great thing you're asking how cause it saves haveing to do it over. First of all, NEVER use the little holes in the backs of receptacles. These are called backstabbed holes and are the souce of lots of loose connections, the manufactureers should actually remove these holes. Here's a link that gives more detail as to why NOT to use them:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/know...098-9,00.html#
You can pigtail the wires together under a single wire nut using an 8" piece of same size wire for your pigtail, in your case 12 gauge wire. Never use a smaller gauge wire such as 14 on a 20 amp circuit. Here's a link that shows how to pigtail, scroll to the last picture on the page:
http://www.danswiringpage.com/recepts_gfi.htm
Better yet than pigtailing is to buy a receptacle that is back-wired. These receptacles have holes in the back and are tightened down by the use of a clamp. This provides a secure connection. They are usually labled as a commercial outlet and can be bought at Home Depot. They are more expensive than the regular receptacles but well worth it, no pigtailing is usually needed cause there are 4 holes on each side to accomidate the wires. This also helps if the box is small cause pigtailing takes up room. Here's one last link that shows these, scroll to page 3 of the link to see the backs:
http://www.state-elec.com/Leviton/indreceptacles.pdf
And finally, it is code safe to install a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit as they have a 20 amp feed thru feature. Also make sure that all receptacles in the following locations are GFCI protected: bathroom, kitchen couter-tops, garage, outdoor, crawl space and unfinished basement.
If any outlets are controlled by switches you'll need to make sure you take a good look at the receptacle prior to removing them. You'll notice a tab on the side of all new receptacles, this tab connects the 2 screws on the sides. You'll notice on the receptacles of yours that are controlled by a switch that this tab has been removed from the hot (brass) side of the receptacle only. This is how you need to configure your new receptacle when you replace it, make sure the tab is removed and that the appropriate wire goes to the appropriate screw.
Hope this helps and good luck to you.
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