Post-Christmas shopping spree: From gift cards to returns, River Ridge sees it all

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The day after Christmas is big day for shopping. From spending the holiday cash burning a hole in your pocket to gift returns, dozens are eager to hit the stores.

“I got a bunch of gift cards that are actually in my pocket right now,” Ava Dragan said.

All the sales, lots of gift cards, and they were burning a hole in my pocket, so I had to get out today,” Pat Deacon said.

River Ridge in Lynchburg was packed all day, with a steady stream of shoppers taking part in holiday sales and making needed gift returns, ready for some steals and deals.

My grandma got me a hundred-dollar gift card, so I was really excited to use that,” Percy Phillips said.

“HomeGoods. I already spent $101 there. Got some great deals,” Deacon added.

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For some, it was those holiday sales that drew them in.

We do shop sales a lot, so we are looking around to find good sales,” Samantha Stonelake said.

“To see what kind of deals they had after the holiday season,” Dragan added.

Those deals really spanned a wide range.

“Seventy percent off, fifty percent off,” Phillips said.

Toy soldiers, nutcrackers, we scored fifty percent off. I got two of them and I got some more Christmas decorations. Just what I don’t need,” Connie Sheppard said.

“Footlocker had like a good couple sales,” Avery Duff said.

When it comes to gifts that may have missed the mark, there’s a debate: return or re-gift?

Shoppers ABC13 spoke with had mixed feelings.

“My friends might be watching, so, ‘course I would never re-gift. Yes. I re-gift,” Sheppard said.

I do not return anything. Ever,” Gunnar Westervelt said.

“I think I’d hold on to it, see if I like it later,” Stonelake added.

I actually did do some re-gifting, but don’t tell anybody,” Andrew Miarer said.

After a long day hitting the shops, some folks said they truly shopped until they dropped.

“I had had enough of looking at ladies’ clothes and perfume and all the rest of it, so my nephew and I decided to check out and just come sit for awhile,” Rob Shepherd said.

Others are saving their gift cards for another day, when they’re ready to head back to River Ridge and do it all again.

I left them home for another day, because I have a lot of returns too, but I figured I’d let the crowd be out of the way and do it later,” Sheppard said.