Hi regular readers,

I apologize for abandoning you during the post-Holiday sales, but this Shopping Bag was in desperate need of some R&R. Don't worry I'll be thinking of you all as I'm catching some rays on an Australian beach.

Thanks for all of your loyal support in 2006. Catch you all in the new year!

x The Shopping Bag

According to a survey commissioned by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP "Nearly one in four consumers (24 percent) don't think they'll get what they want for the holidays this year, despite the fact that more than two-thirds (69 percent) will provide a list or tell people what they want as gifts."

"Women are more likely to believe they'll get what they want (42 percent vs. 34 percent of men) and are more likely to tell people what they want as gifts (73 percent vs. 63 percent of men)."

Do you think you'll actually get what you want this year, despite the endless hint dropping? Let us know if you were happy with what you got for Christmas this year - feel free to change names to protect the not-so-innocent.

Just because it's still on the shelf beware, some hazardous toys are still being sold in stores according to a toy safety report recently released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG).

They've put out the 21st annual Trouble in Toyland report which details which toys you should avoid. Last year around 73,000 kids were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Twenty of those poor kids actually died.

It's not pleasant but some adults without kids may not realize what they're actually giving as presents this year.

Some toys with small parts aren't suitable for kids under 3 and don't have the appropriate choke hazard warning. Playskool's Team Talkin Tool Bench was recalled due to two kids suffocating when plastic nails became lodged in their throats.

Magnetic toys are another big no-no for little kids, if a kid swallows more than one they can connect and cause bowel obstruction.

Take your time to examine toys for potential choking and strangulation risks.

Have you ever spent hours poring over the coupon booklets on Sunday before carefully snipping them out? Only to find out when you get to the store that the product is too expensive or the coupon isn't really such a good deal after all. I recently heard that you should follow two rules with coupons. The first one is to wait until the product goes on sale, sometimes you can get two for the price of one. The other important rule is to get the item when it's on sale - don't wait until you need it, it'll be full price again.

Have you ever spent time browsing manufacturer websites. Some of them actually have some great tips and most importantly freebie samples. Recently we've tried Tide's Simple Pleasures laundry detergent (I requested a sample from their website www.tide.com). Choose from their three new scents - Vanilla and Lavender, Water Lilly and Jasmine and romantic Rose and Violet and order sample that's perfect for one wash. It's a great way to test out the product before you invest in a giant bottle of the stuff. We tried the Vanilla and Lavender which was pretty nice, but I'm keen to try the other two scents.
Available at most major retail stores nationwide. Suggested retail price is $7.99 for 80 oz., $13.99 for 150 oz., and $17.99 for 200 oz.

My father-in-law order recently ordered a free sample of the new 4-blade Schick Quattro ($8) from Gillette. We laughed and wondered how many blades you actually need? Well, that being said, it is better. The new razor also has a single trimming blade on the back for sideburns and the position of the blades are designed to minimize irritation. My husband tried it and he was hooked.

Check out the PG.com website for more samples and coupons too.

For Thanksgiving this year we started a new tradition taken from a book called The Elf on the Shelf, by Carol V Aebersold and Chanda A Bell, ($24.95).

The story started as a family tradition in the authors' family and Chanda worked with her mother to turn it into a book with a vintage style elf. You see kids can tell the elf what they want for Christmas and the elf reports back to mom, dad and Santa whether they've been naughty or nice.
Joe Tate Gifts -1017 North Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 692-2433

I was chatting to the manager of True Value Emory's and he commented that he could barely keep up with the demand for the Webkinz. They're super-affordable (just $10.00) and come with a secret code that provides access to the Webkinz website. It's totally safe content for kids and it'll teach them about responsibility such as feeding and taking care of their pet in cyberspace.

True Value Emory's - 4014 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 579-0510

It's rumored that Hollywood celebs like Steven Spielberg snap up these cute gingerbread houses. Knoxville Candle Soap & Gifts stock them, they're $17.50 for the small ones and $32 for the larger ones.

Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts - 4889 Broadway Suite 8, Knoxville TN 37918, Tel: 865 689 6545, www.knoxvillesoap.com

Keep an eye out for the Wishing Tree at West Town and Knoxville Center malls, they've set up gift wrapping counters, where for a donation you can get your gifts wrapped - couldn't be simpler!

Nouveau Classic, Bliss Home and The Stovall Collection, have the best looking gift wrapping in town. It really doesn't matter what you buy or how much you spend, it'll look amazing.

Bliss Home - 24 Market Square, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 673-6711
Nouveau Classics - 4614 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 909-0044
The Stovall Collection & Stationers - 9700 Kingston Pike, Suite 4, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 357 9704

Here's a peak at Kudzu's gorgeous decorations for Christmas.

Kudzu Furnishings - 5054 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 584-2672

Bliss Home on Market Square has some funky items if you're looking to make a statement this Christmas. Their tinsel Sterling Xmas Tree with fairy lights ($27.95) and red or black Murval Branch candelabra ($31.95) are particularly stunning. Check out their garland made from paint chips in the window.

Bliss Home - 24 Market Square, Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 673-6711

Hobbytown USA has also sprung up in time for Christmas. It's an old fashioned and contemporary model train lover's paradise. They've got a great range of Thomas the Tank Engine toys as well as dedicated 'towns', such as 'Tool Town', 'Helicopter Town', 'Art & Craft Town' and 'Science Town'. It'll be a great place to while away a few hours on a cold wintery day with the kids.

Hobbytown USA - Knoxville
The Promenade at Turkey Creek
11364 Parkside Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37934
Phone: (865) 675-1975
www.knoxvilletn.hobbytown.com

Yet more shops have sprung up in Turkey Creek. There's Tennessee Traditions - the official Vols store just like the store the one that's open in Neyland Stadium on game day. They have everything from a big range of UT ball caps, to bed spreads to the requisite snack bowl in the shape of a football helmet. Of course they've got men's, women's and kid's clothing as well. For the girls they've got watches and pendants as well as a range of cute fitted tees. For the die hard fan who's a parent, you can get a Tennesse mobile for over the crib as well as a toy box or stroller in the usual orange team colors.

The store is located over behind the new Calhoun's near HH Gregg and party City.
Tel: 1-877-volsgear

Spiceorium has some unique gift ideas for the festive season. Such as the Anchor Bar Wing Gift Box featuring Original, Hotter, Suicidal flavors - there's 12 ounces of each for $18.00.
Toad Sweet Mini set includes 1.6oz servings of Key Lime Dessert Hot Sauce, Chocolate Orange Dessert Hot Sauce, Cranberry Dessert Hot Sauce, Lemon Vanilla Dessert Hot Sauce, for $7.00.
Spiceorium - 5901 Chapman Hwy. Ste. A., Knoxville, TN, Tel: (865) 579-4142, www.spiceorium.org

Ever hunted around the sofa cushions for the TV remote, but still couldn't find it? Then check out this baby. It's a 6-in-1 super big remote to control your TV, VCR, DVD player, cable or satellite and audio visual device.

Thanks to glow in the dark buttons you'll never hit the wrong one again. It should be compatible with the most popular brands. It's a whopping 5" x 11" x 1".

Available at Brookstone.

Brookstone - West Town Mall, 7600 Kingston Pike, #1492, Knoxville, TN, Tel: 865-470-2154
www.brookstone.com