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GREENSBORO — Holiday shoppers can double the fun in downtown Greensboro on Friday.

That’s because the Festival of Lights is once again joining forces with First Friday, which showcases downtown Greensboro’s shops, galleries and restaurants.

One of the festival’s biggest draws will be the lighting of a 38-foot tree and sing-along at Center City Park.

The revelry begins at 6 p.m.

Speaking of downtown, get some holiday gift-buying ideas from the comfort of your living room.

Browse more than 50 selections of jewelry, clothes, home accessories and art that are for sale by downtown merchants on the Web.

Examples include Modal limited-edition, extra-long scarves, sleeved cardigans, Trapp candles and unique art pieces.

It’s at www.downtowngreensboro.net.

New items will be added through Jan. 1.

Christmas open house at Winstead Commons

Check out sales, sip some wine and enjoy trunk shows during a Christmas open house this weeked at Winstead Commons.

Port City Java ( 2920-F Martinsville Road; 285-7074) will be offering free samples of its new Chai Tea.

Customers can also enter to win a Port City Java gift basket.

Arthur’s Fine Shoes (2920-B Martinsville Road; 286-9290) is having a trunk show featuring Anuschka hand-painted handbags from India.

Also, enjoy cookies and apple cider at Arthur’s.

Three trunk shows are planned Saturday at Jack Cecil (2920-D Martsinville Road; 286-1100).

Tammy Milani will be featuring her pottery and giving out samples of her new “My Sitty’s Authentic Hummus.”

Lori Snyder will also be featuring her unique jewelry, and Patricia Chrisley will be showing her new line of JuJu, which is jewelry for the home.

Customers at the boutique can also register for a door prize.

Other open-house highlights include getting up to 40 percent off at Wild Birds Unlimited (2920-A Martinsville Road; 282-4458).

The store is also giving away a gift with your purchase and offering free gift-wrapping.

On Sunday, local artist William Mangum will be in Wild Birds Unlimited from 1 to 3 p.m. to sign complimentary miniature prints of two cardinals in the snow.

The open house is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Winstead Commons is at Pisgah Church Road and Lawndale Drive in Greensboro.

Team Connection outlet sales

The Team Connection outlet store (615 Alton Place; 431-2551) in High Point is having a sale on athletic apparel and products during December.

Items will be 50 to 75 percent off retail price on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Furnitureland South celebrates 40th year

Furnitureland South (5635 Riverdale Drive, Jamestown; 866-436-8056) is celebrating its 40th anniversary by offering special discounts in November and December.

The store, which has a 1.3 million-square-foot showroom, is also giving away a dining table.

Register for the giveaway at the store or www.furniturelandsouth.com.

Village at North Elm hosts open house

Get discounts, free drinks and snacks during The Village at North Elm’s open house Saturday.

Highlights include Contemporary Lady (307-G Pisgah Church Road, Greensboro; 288-6488) offering 20 percent discounts, soft drinks and wine.

Merchandise will be 50 percent off at William Christopher Interiors (309-F Pisgah Church Road; 545-8123).

At Buff Natural Nail Bar (305-D Pisgah Church Road; 288-6096), get 20 percent off mineral makeup.

The store also will be offering SilverSet and Premier jewelry trunk shows and free hot cider and Russian tea.

Marshall Art Gallery (301-H Pisgah Church Road; 545-8268) is raffling prizes throughout the day and serving lemonade.

Indigo Bead Studio (307-E Pisgah Church Road; 286-0999) is offering a 30 percent discount on all items.

Peace Love and Poundcake is providing refreshments at all locations including gingersnaps, cheese straws, cookies and mini tarts.

The open house is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chico’s looking-glass sales to help St. Jude Hospital

Chico’s, which has stores in Greensboro and High Point, is selling a limited-edition “Looking Glass.”

Part of the sales benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The looking glass is made of metal and glass with floral etching and rhinestone embellishments.

It costs $10. Chico’s will donate $4 of each sale to St. Jude.

In the Triad, the women’s specialty retailer has stores at Friendly Center in Greensboro, Oak Hollow Village Shopping Center in High Point, Alamance Crossing in Burlington and Thruway Shopping Center in Winston-Salem.

Maurices’ blood drive

Get a 20 percent-off coupon at Maurices (1611 Highwoods Boulevard, Greensboro; 316-1221) if you donate blood.

The store, which sells clothes and accessories for fashion-savvy young women, is holding a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m Saturday.

The drive will benefit the American Red Cross.

Salvation Army yard sale

Earn extra cash for holiday shopping while helping needy families during a community yard sale in High Point this weekend.

The entry fee to sell your stuff is $10 per table space, plus three nonperishable food items or a $1 donation.

The food and entry fees will be donated to the local Salvation Army food bank.

The yard sale is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Planter’s Walk subdivision at Eastchester and Tinsley drives.

For more information or to register, call Linda Soldano at 549-7544 or Julie Miller at 300-1551.

Send e-mail to Miller at juliemiller38@yahoo.com.

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