Just sticking my head in for a quick staycation holiday shopping tip! Saturday, I spotted new holiday merchandise on Pokémon Center's website, a bunch of adorable snow-Pokémon plush and this Santa Pikachu I just had to have:
 
http://www.pokemoncenter.com/dp/B00NB6XG8I
 
I managed to shoot my order through via my slow dial-up internet and much to my surprise, less than 48 hours later with just standard shipping, I received the super-kawaii Santa Pikachu via USPS! I noticed other shoppers on the site made similar comments about the super-fast delivery. I highly recommend fans check out the Pokémon Center site for holiday gifts if they haven't already done so!
 
Also, I just swung by my local Target around lunch time and discovered a new TCG Trainer Kit featuring Bisharp and Wigglytuff foils, regularly $9.99, but on sale for only $9. I really need some Fairy Energy cards so I thought this was a good deal just to snag those. This makes a great gift for a beginning player since it includes 2 30-card decks to learn to play. There were no signs on the sales shelf, so I recommend shoppers use a price check kiosk to see what else may be discounted--it's rare to see Target post accurate sales notices in the TCG aisle since a contractor normally stocks those up. There could be other deals lurking...
 
Happy holiday shopping! Pi! Pi! Pi!
 
Loretta

Afternoon Addendum:

I need to add this update! I was at the newest Wal-Mart in my city today and they had legit Pokémon Center Poké Dolls in the TCG aisle! I got the last Pikachu, but there was a pile of Squirtle and Bulbasaur. They were properly tagged and copyright 2014; I imagine the TCG distributor must've gotten a deal with Pokémon Center, they've been actually stocking the Tomy items in the TCG aisle at Target and Wal-Mart lately instead of in the store toy section. I ran into one of the reps putting the stuff out not long ago and I know the rep that does the Target route in my area. The Poké Doll plush run $12.98 and are smaller than regular Pokémon Center plush for those unfamiliar--and also smaller than Tomy plush that run the same price. But make sure to check the TCG aisles this season as surprising items are showing up there instead of the regular toy sections of some of my local stores!
 
Pika!
 
Loretta