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GREENSBORO -- Tough economic times aside, bargain hunters are still expected to rise at the crack of dawn (or not sleep at all), fight over parking spaces and stand like sardines at the cash register on Black Friday.

Good times.

In the Triad, those partaking in the post-Thanksgiving shopathon might want to swing by Four Seasons Town Centre.

That's because the mall is giving away $10 gift cards to shoppers who spend at least $100 by noon Friday and Saturday while supplies last.

Doors open at 6 a.m.

Four Seasons is also giving away "holiday mistle-tote" bags filled with retailer discounts and freebies from Martha Stewart Living.

More information at www.shopfourseasons.com.

Friendly Center holiday coupons now online

You can now go online this holiday season and print out coupons for Friendly Center and the Shops at Friendly Center in Greensboro.

Coupons include $5 off a minimum $25 purchase at Accessories & More, $10 off a minimum $75 purchase at Jade Aveda and $10 off a minimum $50 purchase at Friendly Pets.

You'll find a link to the coupons at my blog, Bargain Blog. Look for it in the "Links of Interest" section.

Prefer getting coupons the old-fashioned way? Get your free holiday coupon book at Friendly Center's customer-service center.

It's near the post office, across from Great Clips.

Schiffman's Jewelers to display Herend porcelain

Schiffman's Jewelers (225 S. Elm St.; 272-5146) is one of only nine stores in the United States chosen to present an exposition of Herend porcelain.

The display will include select pieces from the Reserve Collection, limited-edition art sculptures, numbered limited editions, unusual china patterns, decorative objects and hand-decorated figurines.

The event is from noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 4.

Collectors also can register now for door prizes, including a $3,600 American Wildflowers Tea Set.

The drawing will be held during the event.

Customers who also make purchases of at least $500 from the Herend collection get a Herend gift.

Weatherspoon Art Museum gift shop sale

UNCG's Weatherspoon Art Museum (334-5770) is having a holiday gift shop sale.

Museum members get 20 percent off, and nonmembers get 15 percent off from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4.

Some items, such as prints and books, are excluded from the sale.

Weatherspoon also is holding a trunk show with Two Sisters Design from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

The museum is at Spring Garden and Tate streets in Greensboro.

Spa will give part of gift certificate sales to charity

Orrell Design (440 N. Eugene St., Greensboro; 273-0025), a full-service spa, is donating 5 percent of all gift certificate sales to a local charity.

Shoppers who buy gift certificates will be entered in a drawing, which be held Dec. 20.

They also designate a charity, should their names be drawn.

The drawing then determines which charity receives the 5 percent donation.

More information is available at www.orrelldesign.com.

Gift shop opens second store for holidays

Tami Hendrix, owner of Meg's Gifts (205 Neal Place, High Point; 886-6347) recently opened another store for the holidays.

The seasonal store is at Oak Hollow Mall near the Santa display on the lower level. Items include overstocks, clearance items, monogrammable gifts, jewelry, baby gifts, ornaments and tote bags.

It will remain open through the holidays.

Donate for discount on manicure, pedicure

Donate at least $5 to charity this holiday season and get a $10 discount on a manicure or pedicure at Buff Natural Nail Bar (305-D Pisgah Church Road, Greensboro; 288-6096).

The discounted price of a manicure is $15. A pedicure is $35.

Donate $10 and you get a combo for $50.

Donations support The Servant Center, which provides social services, housing and spiritual support to low-income seniors and the disabled in the Greensboro area.

The deal ends Dec. 24.

Buff is at the Village at North Elm.

Consumer Reports issue lists best electronic buys

The December issue of Consumer Reports magazine could come in handy if you're shopping for electronics this holiday season.

The magazine reviewed more than 400 products, such as TVs, digital cameras, PCs, music players, printers and Blu-ray players.

It also ranks the best electronics stores.

In the LCD TV category of 52 to 55 inches, the Toshiba Regza (model 55ZV65OU) was a Consumer Reports "best buy" (about $1,500).

Regarding digital cameras, the Kodak EasyShare C160 (about $80) and EasyShare M320 (about $100) were considered best buys.

In the 14- to 16-inch laptop category, Dell's Inspiron (model 1545-012B) was a best buy (about $500).

Regarding Blu-ray players, Magnavox (model NB530MGX) was a best buy (about $125).

The magazine also reviewed the best online and walk-in electronics stores.

Apple at Friendly Center (3320 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro; 291-0486), came in second behind independent stores.

Become Web savvy

Check out Bargain Blog at news-record.com, where you also can sign up to become a fan of the blog's Facebook page.

Also, subscribe to the free, weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at www.news-record.com/bargains.

You can sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Do you have a retail tip for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record. com.