HOLIDAY SHOPPING

The clock is ticking for holiday shopping and if you are still looking for some cool ideas for the pop culture lovers on your list, we’ve got ideas!

Calling all last-minute holiday shoppers: We’ve found some great deals on hot items that can help you finish up your shopping (and save money).

Each holiday season tends to produce different fads -- ones that sometimes make people say, “Why in the world was that so popular?”

This market unlike any other in Metro Detroit, full of small businesses and local artisans with unique wares. With over 30 local stores inside, it's a great spot to find that perfect gift.

If you are looking for special gifts and a fun holiday shopping experience, the Birmingham Shopping District has a variety of ideas.

If you were to buy everything listed during the song “12 Days of Christmas,” it would cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Many stores are offering “buy now, pay later” programs that allow shoppers to pay less up up front. While those programs may sound like a good idea at the time, they could have an impact on your finances.

The holiday season is often busy with shopping, parties and traveling -- all things that can keep you distracted, making you an easier target for scammers.

Here’s a sneak peek at the deals being offered during Friday's Midnight Madness, Moonlight Madness and Festive Friday events.

Traditionally, this is the busiest online shopping day of the year with all kinds of deals to be had. With more business than ever online, how do you know if you are using a reputable website? We spoke with the experts at the Better Business Bureau to get their advice.

Supply chain issues are impacting businesses across the U.S. and the world -- but the impact has arguably been greater on small businesses.

Between Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday, you’re bound to run into a few scams while you shop online.

With the tree ceremony tonight in Detroit, the holiday season is officially here. That means it is time to deck the halls and hunt for giFt. One place you can do both is at the Holiday Market at the Eastern Market which starts this Sunday, November 21.

The pandemic is making it easier and easier for scammers to take advantage of people, and the hectic holiday season only makes people more vulnerable to scams.

Experts are warning parents and families to be aware of where their kids’ toys are coming from this holiday season to help avoid any toy-related injuries.

The Help Me Hank team has been tracking supply issues ranging from empty shelves to parents having trouble finding much-desired holiday toys.

The toys that all the kids want this holiday season are already hard to find.

There are shipping containers trapped on barges off the coast of Los Angeles and empty shelves in stores in Michigan.

The holiday shopping season is already underway and that means scammers are also making their moves.

If you’re in the mood to shop, there are some big deals in stores and online.

If you’re in the mood to shop, there are some big deals in stores and online.

It may only be September, but retail experts are saying that you should begin your holiday shopping right away.

If you’re scared to look at the balance on your bank account, or wondering where all your money went this summer -- you might be in need of a budget detox.

So that became available and now I’m trying to do it,” said Damien Lindsey. With the stores likely to be closed for Christmas, a few people might be disappointed when looking into their stocking. Those who have seen this trend year after year said the last-minute shopping wave is lacking compared to year’s past. (Holiday shopping) is not as fluent as it was in the past,” said K&G salesman Sydney Spight. “It’s so hectic with the quarantine and everything and everybody is trying to get their last-minute stuff in,” Lindsey said.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Every holiday season, police get a lot of calls from victims who have had packages stolen off front porches or from inside vehicles. Metro Detroit residents share their experiencesResearch shows that larcenies are about 22 percent higher in December because of holiday shopping. “If your purse does get stolen, your credit cards can be canceled. Experian said 43 percent of holiday shopping identity theft happens during online shopping. Keep an eye on your credit cards for fraudulent activity and don’t use a debit card online.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s that time of year when families and friends are shopping for their loved ones (and their 2020 pod). This year, shoppers are looking for gifts that are comforting, come from the heart and support local businesses. Here are 4 Ann Arbor gift ideas:FOR THE COFFEE FIENDAnn Arbor has become synonymous with locally-owned and operated coffee shops, many of which use their own roasts. Take a look at festive tiles from Motawi Tileworks, ceramics and mixed media sculptures from the Gutman Gallery or paintings and prints from the Ann Arbor Art Center. Order specialty canned cocktails from The Last Word, Michigan-made whiskey from Ann Arbor Distilling Company, craft beer from HOMES or four-packs of mead from Bløm Meadworks.

TROY, Mich. – Police are issuing a warning to anyone trying to sell one of the hottest holiday gifts on the resale market. Troy police said they’re investigating multiple cases of people being scammed while reselling the PlayStation 5 gaming system. Troy Police are noticing more scams involving the PlayStation 5. This is happening unfortunately not just in Troy but around the country,” said John Julian with Troy Police Department. Police advise that if you’re going to meet and sell items, go with a friend and have your cellphone ready in case something goes wrong.

Morang’s first gift ideas were from Things Remembered, which has all kinds of items you can personalize for a loved one. Morang featured a new Coach tote with tons of space, along with new tags with festive messages. Winters in Michigan make hot beverages a great gift, and Morang said you can find plenty at Taste of Tea. American Eagle has all you need for athleisure, including sweats and leggings for hanging around the house. To hear more about gift ideas, watch the video above.

The day after Black Friday is commonly known as Small Business Saturday, when consumers are encouraged to patronize and support small, local businesses. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. said if Michiganders switched one in every ten purchases from big-box stores to local businesses, it would pump more than a billion dollars into the economy and create more than 10,000 jobs. With the coronavirus pandemic hitting locally-owned businesses extra hard, it’s safe to say that it’s important to support small businesses on more than one day this year to help them stay afloat. Michigan shoppers, we want to know: Are you more likely to shop at small, locally-owned businesses or big-box stores? Take the quick poll and give us your reasoning in the form below.

LIVONIA, Mich. – This Small Business Saturday, consumers are encouraged to patronize small businesses to support their local communities. Even those shopping for holiday gifts for their pets can find those special items at small, local businesses, like Premier Pet Supply in Livonia. Shopping locally can have significant benefits on individual communities and their economies. Watch the full report in the video player above. Related: Michigan leaders encourage residents to support local shops

DETROIT – As small businesses in Metro Detroit struggle through the coronavirus pandemic, owners want people in the area to think small this year while shopping for the holidays. After a lengthy shutdown and continuing as the pandemic stretches on, small businesses around the world are struggling to keep their doors open. Saturday is “Small Business Saturday,” and it’s on everyone to do their part to help. Kathy Hamlin Gay has owned Strictly Sportswear on Seven Mile Road in Detroit for 35 years. Like so many small businesses, the pandemic has taken a huge toll on profits, but by shopping at local businesses Saturday, residents can help make sure those shops continue to thrive.

Traditional Black Friday holiday shopping looks a little different this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Several large retailers have been rolling out Black Friday deals online over the last month instead of waiting for the day after Thanksgiving. Still, malls like the Somerset Collection in Troy and Twelve Oaks in Novi are getting a decent amount of shoppers this Friday -- but their main priority is on safety rather than deals, as COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly across Michigan in recent weeks. Watch Hank Winchester’s full report in the video player above.

One Metro Detroit store decided to put safety first and the response from customers has been more than they ever imagined. Local businesses have had to make some tough decisions over the last few months, but one Ferndale store made the choice to close and customers are rewarding them for it. Emily and John Murray opened Modern Natural Baby on Nine Mile Road in 2009 after having a baby of their own. Their store was able to survive thanks to the loyal customers who shopped online and through social media. John Murray said they’ve been getting orders from customers that don’t have children or grandchildren because they want to support the store.

DETROIT – Malls and local stores across Metro Detroit are preparing for what is typically one of the biggest shopping days of the year -- Black Friday. Local stores have had to reinvent themselves with many limiting the number of customers inside, offering hand sanitizing stations, requiring masks and putting safety first. As far as the deals go, many stores and malls will still be offering sales on Friday. Help Me Hank toy test: Testing 2020′s top toys ahead of the holidaysThe Help Me Hank Toy Test went virtual this year to keep everyone safe. We asked two families, both previous Help Me Hank toy testers, to try out some toys at home and give us their opinions.

To make sure your gifts arrive before Christmas, follow the holiday shipping deadlines for the U.S. USPS holiday shipping deadlinesThe USPS recommends shipping your packages by the following dates if you want them to arrive before December 25. FedEx holiday shipping deadlinesFedEx recommends shipping your packages by the following dates if you want them to arrive before December 25. UPS holiday shipping deadlinesUPS recommends shipping your packages by the following dates if you want them to arrive before December 25. Amazon holiday shipping deadlines will vary depending on where you live, what you’re ordering and if you’re a Prime member.

As we inch closer to the holidays, most of us are adapting our celebrations to meet new restrictions and protocols designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. With the pandemic likely affecting your plans and events, we’re wondering if it is also affecting how you’re shopping for holiday gifts -- specifically those for children. Are you buying different kinds of toys for children this holiday season due to the coronavirus pandemic? In what ways -- if at all -- has the pandemic affected what toys you’re shopping for? Let us know using the form below.

READ: Tips for managing your money ahead of holiday season“Retailers are rolling out Black Friday deals earlier than ever. Walmart has been hosting a series of Black Friday doorbusters leading up to Thanksgiving so it’s really changing and impacting what we can expect this holiday season,” Woroch said. Shopping early can help spread purchases out over a longer period and avoid debt or racking up high credit card bills. Woroch said some stores are offering incentives to shop now like cash back and gift cards that consumers could hold onto to use later in the holiday shopping season as well. No matter your shopping plan, consider shopping local and taking advantage of small businesses in your area.

It’s a good time to start shopping for the holidays and what’s better than finding a unique gift while supporting a small business? In the past, it would attracted more than twelve thousand shoppers, but because of the pandemic she shifted and created an online shopping platform called All Things Marketplace. The Marketplace is a space where you can shop online, or in person, to find the unique gift you’re looking for. There is also going to be an All Things Marketplace Pop-up Shop in Corktown that will include 25 local businesses. The pop-up shop is at The Build Institute at The Corner, 1620 Michigan Ave Suite #120 in Detroit.

ANN ARBOR – The Guild of Artists & Artisans will be holding its first-ever Holiday Artist Market in its downtown Gutman Gallery from Nov. 4 to December 23. From Black Friday through Christmas Eve, the gallery will have extended holiday hours in its festive, warm space. The Gutman Gallery will also be participating in both downtown Ann Arbor’s Midnight Madness and Kerrytown Market’s Festive Fridays. On Fridays and Saturdays, The Guild will feature Artist Trunk Shows in the gallery. Gallery hoursNovember hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.Extended Holiday Hours (Nov. 27-Dec. 22): Tuesday-Thursday 11a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 11a.m.-7 p.m.Gutman Gallery is at 118 N. Fourth Ave.For more information, visit www.shopgutmangallery.com.

And now, I’m already seeing holiday shopping ads and stories in our newscasts. If you’re not comfortable going to the store, check and see if you can buy direct from them through their website…including gift cards. Those gift cards will be celebrated! Those restaurant gift cards we buy just may keep our favorite eateries in business. So, before you plan your holiday shopping, make shopping local part of your plan.

Hank Winchester is Local 4's Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV's "Help Me Hank" Consumer Unit. He works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off metro Detroiters.

Amazon kicked off two days of Prime Day deals and a slew of retailers are following suit with major discounts. READ: Amazon Prime Day starts today: Here are some of the best discountsThe days of waiting until Black Friday are over. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Kohl’s and other retailers have said they will remain closed on Thanksgiving due to the pandemic and the growth of online shopping. Amazon Prime day started Tuesday morning and continues into Wednesday. There are stores offering big online deals to compete including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kohls and Hom Depot.

DETROIT – The 2020 holiday shopping season will be very different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sept. 11, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 110,832; Death toll now at 6,578Black Friday is so last year. Home Depot is one of many retailers that are passing on Black Friday deals. Amazon will start offering deals Oct. 26. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Target, Kohl’s and other retailers have said they will remain closed on Thanksgiving due to the pandemic and the growth of online shopping.

Walmart is usually open on Thanksgiving Day. Walmart’s U.S. stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day amid the coronavirus pandemic, the corporation announced Tuesday. Walmart also announced it will pay out another cash bonus to store, club, distribution center and fulfillment center associates. The company said drivers, managers and assistant managers in stores, clubs, DCs, FCs and Health and Wellness also will receive a bonus. Related: Walmart, Sam’s Club to require masks in stores amid COVID-19 pandemicMore: Coronavirus news

One of our favorite TV deals yet ... also from Target. You might even be able to get deals up to 70% off on select items (plus free shipping). At Levi’s, the company is offering 40% off full-priced items and an extra 50% off on sale items, plus free shipping when you enter CYBER. Forbes put out a handy list of the best Cyber Monday deals, which included this great find. We could round up TV deals all day.