Here's a Walgreens coupon good for $5 off $25. And Ben & Jerry's ice cream is 'buy one get one' there this week. Bad for the diet, of course, but I only cheat when ice cream is on sale!!

These $5 coupons are great when you need the expensive stuff, like diapers. Sometimes I print a few, so I can stock up (not on diapers, heaven forbid!!). Last night I got a few Revlon beauty tools for stocking stuffers, they are 'buy one get one' this week also...and I used manufacturers coupons for $1 off each, that I saved from a Sunday Sun-Sentinel insert. I got some $10 items for $4 each. You can't beat that!!

Click here for Walgreens coupon

You can cut the cost of pricey Tommy Bahama goods by ordering today -- the last day for free shipping.

And enter the promoction code RELAX to get a free gift.

How about this Leaf Chaser camp shirt for your honey? See tommybahama.com.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

You probably don't watch Gossip Girl. But betcha your teenagers are watching the perils of Serena, Blair, Chuck and the gang every Monday night at 8 p.m. on the CW. I'm not the demographic, but I just love these underparented, overfunded Upper East Side kids.

But I digress -- once again. Sorry. Anyhow, if you don't want to spend a fortune, but want to make your kids happy in their Gossip Girl fantasies, check out this link.

One of my fave items is Blake Lively's Sky Blue Cocktail Ring. It features an attractive smoky chalcedony blue hue surrounded by pale blue enamel. It contains small clear, aquamarine, and sky blue colored rhinestones in the enamel. And the cost is only $40.

Tell your own Gossip Girl that you wish her only blue skies like the ring. XOXO -- Shopper Girl

Have you decked your halls yet?

One of the places I go for inspiration and quality decor is Verzaal Farms in Boynton Beach. I learned about the place from my buddy, Glenn, who does the fab decorating at Fifth Avenue Grill in Delray Beach. (If you haven't seen their decorations yet, you must. Stop by for a drink at the bar and you'll think you were transported to a winter wonderland.)

Verzaal Farms didn't have the 3-foot-tall nutcracker I was seeking, but they do have some really great stuff like the tall candlesticks (about 32 inches) for $32 and $35, gorgeous wreaths for $50-$76.85 and a metal stand with four angels handing from a horizontal bar that is topped with four cups to hold votive candles for $36.75.

They also have a wonderful selection of pots -- $29.50 to $440 and tons of silk flowers. The greenhouses to the left of the main building are filled with poinsettias.

It is located at 5220 Flavor Pict Road in Boynton Beach.

Love this place and so will you.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

Inspiron Mini 9 laptop with a 4-hour battery for $299
Sharp 32-inch LCD TV for $479
Dell 17-inch widescreen computer screen for $99 or a 20-inch for $159

More gifts and gadgets available at Dell.com -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

If you're foolish enough, like me, to head to frigid New York City on a winter holiday, at least visit the many holiday markets the city has to offer.

I went to the one at Union Square where I found painted cooper earrings by Bora from Greece for only $20 and a lovely silk-strewn necklace with a cascade of small gems for $47. You'll also find Christmas decor, unique leather goods and lots of fun gifts for children at the Holiday Market.

Similar markets can be found at Bryant Park, where you also can ice skate, Grand Central and Columbus Circle. So, wherever you land in the city, there is a holiday market to shop.

The markets feature booths from stores around Manhattan as well as the outreaches and independent vendors. While I wouldn't count on a return policy, I found the shopping experience more fun and interesting than the overcrowded department stores with faux sales (20 percent off and only $800!).

South Florida retailers might do well to copy this NYC idea. After all, our weather is much more conducive to outside shopping. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

To pass the time, Spence smoked cigarettes and read three romance novels, including A Seduction at Christmas. When she had to go to the bathroom, she walked to a neighboring gas station while family members held her spot in line.

Spence managed to keep her daughter, Leslie, in the dark about what she was doing.

"She's going to scream and squeeze me like a cat," Spence said

I went alone, much to the chagrin of my family, the early birds who can't stay up past 10pm. Nice to know they care...but I never for one moment felt apprehensive in the well lighted parking lots, bustling with folks coming and going.

Once inside...it felt like every school in Broward County bused in their total student body and added them to the entire worldwide membership of the Shoppers Anonymous Organization. It was a feast for people-watchers, seeing the melting pot of South Florida, but not fun if you wanted to do some serious shopping. Every language was represented, and the only overloaded shopping carts I noticed were being pushed by non-English speaking shoppers

There was a line to get into the Coach store in the Colonnade, and long lines to check out at Ralph Lauren Polo in the Oasis. Radio Shack was letting shoppers in a few at a time, the rest were held outside by the metal barrier gates. I was warned to stay away from BrandsMart.

If you were too tired after the big meal to start shopping at midnight, don't worry, be happy, as the song says!! I found a few things, but the sales just weren't that great. I had to leave because if one more person ran over my heels with their stroller, I was going to lose it! (Yes, strollers, lots of them, at midnight. Maybe Sawgrass Mills should start offering parenting classes.)

What did you find?

Marlene Garau, 20, of Miami Lakes, said she and a friend had hit the Aventura Mall earlier but found “better than normal” discounts only at one store, Urban Outfitters. By 9 a.m., the friends each had picked up a shirt and jacket that was an additional half off the sale price.

Garau, who recently lost her job as a receptionist in a Fort Lauderdale salon, said she certainly is spending less this holiday season.

“Not a lot of people are giving gifts this year. We’re just like … money is tight,” said Garau, as she searched for more bargains at Pembroke Gardens.

-- Doreen Hemlock, staff writer, Sun Sentinel

"My husband's a contractor, and business is very slow," she said.

"That's right. No Coach bag for you," quipped her 11-year-old son, Jake.

- Paul Owers, staff writer

Normally, the rundown center's parking lots are practically empty. But today the place was packed, especially outside JCPenney.

Also busy was Dillard's, which is attracting shoppers with 70-percent-off store-closing sales. I hear Dillard's will be open until at least mid-December.

- Paul Owers, staff writer

KB Toy Works: "Biggest Sale Ever" signs plastered on store windows. Shoppers get $20 free bonus bucks with a purchase of $100 or more from Black Friday through Sunday.

Puma: 40 % off footwear and apparel, excluding clearance items.

Tommy Hilfilger: Everything in store, 50 % off all day

Perry Ellis: 60 % off or more on store items

Nike Factory Store: A plethora of discounts, including an extra 20% off entire purchase from midnight to noon Friday

- Arlene Satchell, staff writer

"I'd thought I'd knock out all my shopping early," said Mells, 53, staring incredulously at the crush of shoppers waiting to enter the electronics and appliance store.

Mells had hoped to snag a GPS navigation system, some stereo equipment and a few other miscellaneous gifts for co-workers during the morning shopping run.

"With the economy so whacked, I can probably wait until January and still get a good deal," he said, contemplating his next move.

Davis said he wouldn't stay until the throng abated and planned to stop next at a nearby Wal-Mart.

At KB Toy Works, Jeanne Semper of Coral Springs bought a Rhythm Station Keyboard early Friday for $29.98, a $10 savings.

Semper said she'd "comparison shopped" for specific items to determine where the best deals were before heading out.

"You have to do your homework," she said.

Although the crowds were out, Semper said she didn't think many people were spending as much as they did last year and that some were likely just got trying to walk off their Thanksgiving meal.

Of note: With parking scarce, especially near BrandsMart, a couple of enterprising young men tried to sell their parking space for $20 to drivers desperate for an empty spot.

- Arlene Satchell, staff writer

The crowd of 200 to 300 persons, was "well-mannered" and sang Christmas Carols before dashing for doorbusters.

Digital frames, GPS navigation systems and jewelry were hot items at Kohl's and despite the economy, there were many deals to be had this Black Friday, Gebhardt said.

"If you're a value conscious customer, this is the day to shop," he said.

Nancy Ali-Shamaa of Hollywood bought a Presto Cool Touch Electric Griddle for $19.99 (before $10 mail-in rebate), a blender and shirt at Kohl's, attracted by the retailer's "awesome sales."

The 20-year-old student, who arrived 30 minutes before opening, said the $10 Kohl's coupon she received for a $50 purchase was added incentive to start shopping early this holiday.

- Arlene Satchell, staff writer

The two clean-cut youths each bought sneakers at Foot Locker in order to get $25 off a $100 purchase. They also each picked up a Florida Marlins hat to tap a “buy one, get the second one half off” deal. Together, they figured they saved at least $43.

“Publix has been cutting back on hours for part timers, so I work less now,” said Tavernier, an atmospheric science and meteorology student at Broward College, formerly Broward Community College.

He now is working 20 to 30 hours, instead of 40 hours, a week. “I look out for the discounts,” Tavernier said.

-- Doreen Hemlock, staff writer, Sun Sentinel