From Deseret News archives:
'Shop 'til you drop' begins
Thanksgiving ushers in busiest sale season
While the bird roasts in the oven, Jeppson makes the rounds to stores like Wal-Mart and Target, which offer special sales on the "little holiday before the big holiday."
"Everyone thinks that the big sales are the day after Thanksgiving," Jeppson said. "But there are some good sales at lots of stores on Thanksgiving or even the week before."
This year, many stores began offering holiday sales several weeks before the season officially began a nod to the trend to creep the holiday season up to the beginning of November.
But University Mall spokeswoman Mindika Nordfelt said the best sales and promotions have been saved for the day after Thanksgiving, as well as a visit from Santa, who will be flying in on KSL's Chopper 5.
"Most of our stores do offer special discounts and sales," Nordfelt said. "It's a busy day. We have a lot of promotions going on that day."
If predictions hold true, this holiday season could be a busy one for shopping.
The Commerce Department predicts "average to slightly above average" shopping trends this season, spurred by a stronger job market and optimism about the economy.
"I think it's going to be a busy year," Jeppson said. "Everyone is kind of feeling better about life and feeling good about splurging on Christmas."
So what should you do if you decide to brave the day after Thanksgiving sales?
Self-proclaimed shopping expert Donna Egbert said she likes to get a good night's rest before hitting the local malls for a marathon day of Christmas shopping.
"I rest up all Thanksgiving Day so that I can be in line by 5 a.m.," Egbert said. "I bring water and some granola bars with me so that I don't get weak from being on my toes all day."
Battling crowds is a frustration for some, but Egbert said she thrives on holiday congestion.
"It just doesn't feel like Christmas if you don't spend some time at the mall on a busy day," she said. "It makes me feel as good as listening to a Christmas album."
But not everyone gets in the Christmas spirit by standing in long lines.
Egbert's husband, Glen, said that he's a real Scrooge when it comes to crowded shopping centers.
"I can't stand it," he said. "The only day I like to shop is on Christmas eve when all the husbands are buying all their presents. It's still crowded, but it's a more masculine crowd."
MALL HOURS
University Mall
575 E. University Parkway
Orem
Nov. 26 - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(Mervyn's opens at 5 a.m.)
Holiday hours vary. Check www.shopuniversitymall.com for extended schedule.
Provo Towne Centre
1200 Towne Centre Boulevard
Provo
Nov. 26 - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Holiday hours vary. Check www.shopprovotownecentre.com for extended schedule.
E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com
Comments
- In quieter Baghdad, bingo is back 10:45 a.m.
- Germans ID convert as terror suspect 10:44 a.m.
- Serb Patriarch Pavle dies 10:25 a.m.
- Palin's way of talkin' dissected 10:24 a.m.
- Sponsor for gay-rights bills found 9:53 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
359 - BYU happy to escape with victory
205 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
161 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Sloan may toy with starting lineup
87
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Bennett is a good, decent man who should NOT be re-elected because many like...
A summit is just another way of saying the President isn't going to do what...
"Price-elasticity of demand" Wow. Is this also known as "My child is in pain...
Eating Crow and Humble Pie all in the same meal! Hahahaha! Looks like Utah...
Wow! Glad I watched the RSL game.
Utah is billed as a "right to work state" and every employment contract I...
It's tough on liberals when the world of liberal TV, (including PBS) and...
To get things done while Obama and Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar are in...
BYU always talent...really needs a coaching change. This article talks about...
"Employers should have rights, and among those is the right to hire and fire...


You can be the first to comment on this story.