How is a store going to know that when I buy a real leather coat for $30 that I'm buying it as a Christmas gift? Answer: They can't!
I just keep my potential gift recipients in mind and keep my eyes out for sales...for some people on my list, I'm caught up until 2008 (birthdays & Christmas)!
Until this year, I hadn't been in a mall during the months of November to January for 15 years.