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Planning on doing more shopping? Here's some useful tips [Lodi News-Sentinel, Calif.](Lodi News-Sentinel (CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 26--"We will be returning some stuff," said Mike Barcellos, a Target shopper on Thursday. "Usually we overbuy for the kids and end up returning some extra toys." Without a doubt, there are numerous loving parents around Lodi, Woodbridge, Acampo and Galt who can echo Barcellos' statement. Despite honorable intentions, sometimes the gift Santa brings your child isn't what they were looking for. Luckily, retail stores are ready for the hoards of customers who will stream through their doors today to return gifts or just add to their holiday collection. Barcellos said he and his wife have come out shopping the day after Christmas for the last several years. He said he doesn't look for things for himself and usually ends up going to Target and Toys "R" Us for returns. While he doesn't have any special traditions tied in to the day, he said it takes him about two or three hours total to hit the stores he needs to visit and return home. As for being one of the doorbusters, Barcellos isn't about to be up before the sun to exchange merchandise. He said he goes whenever he gets around to it that day. For our readers unlike Barcellos, who want to get out of their warm beds and throw elbows like Charles Oakley over a bargain bin to get that must-have item, the Lodi NewsSentinel has consulted shoppers, merchants and Web sites for the best post-Christmas shopping advice. THINK ABOUT IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR: Gottadeal.com tells readers to look for bargains on holiday ornaments during post-Christmas sales. The Web site said stores like Kohl's, Wal-Mart and Target have ornaments, wrapping paper and greeting cards at greatly reduced prices. It's a the perfect time to stock up on wreaths, artificial trees, candles, lights and stockings for next year. "Our after Christmas clearance will be huge for us," said Melissa Park, Kohl's manager. If you have children, look for Christmas dresses or outfits for them. Be sure to buy them a size or two larger so they can grow into them. Both New and Again Consignment Furniture Gallery and The Party Guys in Downtown Lodi will be offering discounts on their Christmas merchandise. LOOK FOR SALES ON SEASONAL CLOTHES: Not only is it a post-Christmas sale, it's also a time in which stores must clear out merchandise for the upcoming spring season. Look for deals on coats, gloves and sweats. At Kohl's, long-sleeved knit and fleece tops for men will be 50 to 60 Continued from Page1 percent off. All winter outwear, excluding Columbia, will be 50 to 60 percent off at Kohl's as well. At Christensen's on School Street, the entire fall and holiday lines of clothing will be half off. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STORE'S GLUTTONY: According to about.com, post-Christmas sales provide consumers with a chance to benefit from stores overstocked items. Some items that may be on overstock sales are televisions, Blu-ray players, home theater systems and DVD players. The Web site warns these items are the most coveted, so get there early for the best chance to score a deal. MAKE A DAY OUT OF IT AND BE SURE TO EAT: Monica Archuleta was looking at books at Target on Thursday. She said she was going to stock up on Christmas candy during today's sales like she does every year. Archuleta said she wanted to buy several bags of holiday Reese's peanut butter cups. She said she usually arrives at the mall or Target around 10 a.m. and bargain hunts until 4 or 5 p.m. For sustenance, she snacks on warm pretzels from Target's snack counter. STAY CALM AND BREATHE: As a professional of day-after-Christmas shopping, Barcellos offered his advice on making it through the day. "Try to keep the Christmas glow going and ignore the honking horns," he said. Contact Jordan Guinn at [email protected]. To see more of the News-Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lodinews.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Lodi News-Sentinel, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |