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The Christmas holiday season is usually the most wonderful time of the year for retailers, when shoppers seduced by holiday cheer open their wallets and spend.

But this year stores are bracing - not for crowds so thick it'll be hard to move, but for gatherings so thin you'll have an aisle of your own.

To woo you and your dollars, stores are breaking out the red markers and slashing prices for Black Friday.

Take department store Kohl's, for example. The store is planning a traditional, crack-of-dawn opening - 4 a.m. - the day after Thanksgiving. But shoppers will notice "a significant increase" in the number of deals compared to last year, according to a company news release, with the company offering 50 percent off its entire stock of toys among the day's early bird sales.

And to lure you back, Kohl's is also offering $10 off future purchases for every $50 spent.

Other retailers' Black Friday ads are leaking on the Web, with sites like http://theblackfriday.com, http://blackfridayads.com, www.blackfriday.info and http://2008blackfridayads.com , among others, posting copies of sales circulars.

If you plan on shopping away the Thanksgiving calories on Black Friday, one of the best ways to stretch your dollar is to plan ahead.

Take a glance at the Web sites posting Black Friday circulars, flip through the sales circulars in print or online on Thanksgiving to compare prices.

Then hit the stores that have what you're looking for first - and early if the item is popular.

If you miss out on a good price at Store A, there may be a way you can still take advantage of the deal. Walmart will price-match competitors' ads as long as the ad is current and the store carries the identical item. Simply take the ad with you to Walmart and show it to the cashier as you check out.

And don't forget online shopping. In addition to in-store deals, many retailers will be offering deals online from Black Friday to Cyber Monday and beyond.

Replacements offering holiday etiquette lesson

The holidays - and holiday meals - are around the corner, and the folks at Replacements Ltd. don't want you to embarrass yourself.

The company, known worldwide for its collection of dinnerware and crystal, is offering a workshop on table manners and dining do's and don'ts at 11 a.m. Dec. 6.

The event, led by Replacments etiquette coach Jill Slatter, will be at the company's showroom at 1089 Knox Road in McLeansville.

The workshop is free, but advanced registration is requested due to limited space.

To sign up, or for more information, call Replacements at 697-3000, Ext. 2233 or e-mail jill.slatter@replacements.com.

Area shopping malls offering holiday coupons

Friendly Center, the Shops at Friendly Center and Alamance Crossing are offering free booklets full of holiday coupons to their merchants.

The booklets can be picked up at the marketing offices of the respective shopping centers.

Details at the Bargain Blog.

Savvy Shoppers unite on the Web! Twitter with me at twitter.com/savvyshopper, network with me on Facebook or come talk shopping on the Bargain Blog. Do you have a retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or email lanita.withers@news-record.com.