Weekend destinations for holiday shopping like a golddigger (without a sugardaddy's budget)

For me, holiday shopping time is open season where I know all the best hunting grounds. While the rest of America lines up to pay retail plus 10%, I'll be rubbing my mittens together and gloating here:

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, Central Valley, NY
Nestled in a ring of mountains about an hour north of NYC, this place is among the royalty of discount shopping.

The jewels in the crown: Neiman Marcus Last Call is a gold mine filled with hidden delights like jackets marked down from $720 to $50--but you must be willing to flip through a lot of $2000 gowns and $1,200 sweaters to get there. (What, me mind?) Woodbury also features outlets unheard of anywhere else, such as Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Prada (Miu Miu) and Theory.

Food fit for a king: Grab a meal at cute cafe Thyme to Eat (the apple crumb cake is delicious while the coffee makes a better enemy deterrent than beverage), or enjoy all-natural, low-cal Tex-Mex fare from Desert Moon Cafe, located in the food pavilion.

Last-minute essentials: Before your trip, visit the website and sign up for the VIP club to get loads of printable coupons, a pass for a free coupon book, and a priceless smirk.

Freeport, ME
While Kittery is the Maine name for back-to-back outlet stores, if you want to feel like an upscale such-and-such while you do your bargain-hunting, head for Freeport. In this fancy little town, the outlets are inconspicuously tucked into a charming street with cobblestones and lobster roll sellers ($11 apiece at the outdoor rolling cart, in case you wondered just how upscale this is).

Choice picks: Abercrombie & Fitch ($5 skirts and tees seem to pop up a lot); Banana Republic; Cole Haan. Of course, the king of outlets here is L.L. Bean--great for sturdiness, but if you're looking for fashion, keep looking.

VF Outlet, Reading, PA
If 'designer' brands make you want to run for modest cover, head to Vanity Fair (VF) for sturdy heartland names (Wrangler, Lee, HealthTex, Jansport, Nautica, Lily of France) at prices so low, you'll blush (i.e. $10 jeans; $4 bras; $7 sweatshirts), especially when you find yourself madly rooting through piles of $1 underpants (uh, not that I've ever done that). Hit the website first for online-exclusive coupons.

Where to stay: Neighboring Lancaster (half an hour away), also known as "Amish Country," where you'll still see horses and buggies, small-batch jam makers and genuine country dry goods stores with Penn Dutch specialties like hoot-n-holler-sweet Whoopie Pies (ask the locals about Zimmerman's). And for a real treat, set up camp at Willow Valley Farms resort, home of the world's greatest smorgasbord and death-defying donuts (as in, you'll be willing to defy imminent artery-clogging death when you smell these. They taste like heaven, and might take you there, as well).

Comments

[Posted on Dec 5, 2006 10:09:22 PM by ikesacolick]

A few tips on Woodbury:

- It's outdoors, so if it's cold outside then dress warm.
- It gets VERY crowded especially during the holiday hours, so best is to arrive early.
- Many of the stores will restock on Wednesday and Thursday, so come on Thursday or Friday for the best selections.
- If you head to Woodbury, be sure to make a day trip out of it and make a stop at Bear Mountain!