Andrew Seder Column

Friday, July 30, 2010

Steals & Deals: Find some down-to-the-wire deals for the holiday season - ANDREW M. SEDER

Sunday December 20, 2009 | 03:28 AM

Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com

Christmas is closing in. Have you completed your gift shopping yet? If not, there are some decent last-minute deals out there.

If you need a stocking stuffer that’s affordable but will be well-received, grab Match Box cars at CVS. They’re on sale buy one, get one free. Target has various classic board games like checkers, chess and backgammon for $2. The retailer also has La Crosse Technology wireless indoor/outdoor thermometers for $10; good for when you really want to know how cold it is outside but don’t want to open the door to find out.

Wal-Mart is having special early morning sales Monday through Wednesday featuring the popular toy of the season, the Zhu Zhu Hamsters. There will only be a limited number sold at each store each day but those fortunate enough to grab one will pay only $8. There is a strict limit of one per customer. The items will be available beginning at 7 a.m. during the three-day event.

And don’t forget the batteries for your electronic gifts. Rite Aid has some packages of its brand alkaline batteries buy one, get one free. If you still have gifts to wrap, don’t run out of tape. Rite Aid also has its brand of tape, all kinds and sizes, buy one, get one free.

Kmart has all women’s packaged sleepwear sets and a variety of Joe Boxer brand items, including women’s and girl’s slipper socks and women’s lounge pants and men’s flannel and micro fleece pants buy one, get one free.

And don’t forget, the day after Christmas retailers put all their holiday themed candy, gifts and decorations on clearance. Load up while the getting’s good. Remember, those Hershey Kisses in the green and red wrappers taste the same as the ones in silver wrappers you’ll pay full price for next week.

Kmart and Rite Aid have gotten a jump on things by marking down some food gift sets 40 percent and 50 percent respectively.

Here are a few more gift card deals that I didn’t have room to squeeze in to last week’s column. They too make good last-minute gifts for the recipient and for you:

For eateries, Denny’s, Friendly’s, Uno Chicago Grill and TGI Friday’s are offering a free $5 limited life-span gift card for every $25 gift card you purchase. Subway is giving you a free cookie whenever you buy a $10 gift card.

For retailers, there’s DSW Shoes, which is offering a $10 bonus gift card when you purchase a $50 gift card.

By the way, if you’re traveling for the holiday and need a cheap dose of caffeine and a bite to eat, go to Turkey Hill Minit Markets. The stores are offering all sizes of coffee and cappuccino for 79 cents through January. You can also get a free Wholesome At Home product when you buy another one at regular price. That deal runs through Dec. 31 and includes salads, sandwiches and side dishes.