Gap.com is offering 50 percent off all men's and women's sweaters and 50 percent off all kids' and babies' fleeces (hoodies, pants, hats, scarves, gloves) until Sunday. Some shirts, pants, and outerwear for men are 30 percent off, and all women's outerwear is 30 percent off. Sister site Bananarepublic.com has 30 percent off all men's and women's sweaters and outerwear until Sunday.

L.L.Bean is taking 20 percent off all men's, women's, and kids' sweaters today until Sunday (online and in-store, though not at outlets). L.L.Bean is at Legacy Place, 950 Providence Highway, Dedham, 800-650-6358, and at Wayside Commons, 6 Wayside Rd., Burlington, 781-505-1460. Find other locations at www.llbean.com.

In case you plan to hit the stores on Friday, here's a sampling of additional deals on clothes, home goods, and more to help you start planning your shopping strategy. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy shopping!

Filene's Basement hosts its annual Black Friday scratch card promotion between opening time (5 or 6 a.m., depending on the store) and noon. Take a card upon entering, and once you check out, find out what you saved. Discounts range from 10 to 50 percent, or, if you're very lucky, your entire purchase will be free. See www.filenesbasement.com for locations.

Kenneth Cole stores are taking 41 percent off prices for the first four hours they're open on Friday. For the rest of the weekend, items will be 31 percent off. Kenneth Cole is at Copley Place, 617-867-9580 and 128 Newbury St. (men's only), 617-867-0836. (Both locations open at 9 a.m.) www.kennethcole.com

Brooks Brothers will offer 15 percent off purchases until noon Friday and Saturday. (Shoppers using a MasterCard or Brooks Brothers Platinum MasterCard will get an additional five percent off.) Brooks Brothers
Factory Stores are taking 40 percent off all items until Sunday, and an extra 10 percent off Friday and Saturday until noon. Find locations at www.brooksbrothers.com.

Kohl's opens at 4 a.m. with early-bird specials on clothes, jewelry, kitchen items, board games, and more until 1 p.m. All Fisher-Price, Playskool, Barbie, Littlest Pet Shop, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Tonka, Little Tikes, Crayola, and Play-Doh toys will be 50 percent off; select games, including Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders, will be $3.99 each (normally $9.99). Find Kohl's locations at www.kohls.com.

JCPenney stores will have "doorbuster" specials from 4 a.m. (when they open) until noon. Deals include a Wii/Xbox gaming tower for $48.88 and a Lionel Santa Fe battery-powered train set for $99.88 (normally $199.99). Good deals on clothes, shoes and boots, kitchenware, and more as well. See details and store locations at www.jcp.com. (Check the website for "Cyber Monday" deals on Sunday and Monday.)

Cowboy boots and vintage clothing spot Rick Walker's will be taking 50 percent off select items on Friday. As a bonus, there will also be live music and free hot drinks and biscotti. Rick Walker's is at 306 Newbury St., Boston, 617-482-7426. www.rickwalkers.com

For its post-Thanksgiving sale, vintage stop 40 South Street is offering 20 percent off all clothing and buy one item, get the second one half-price. 40 South Street is at -- you guessed it -- 40 South St., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-5066. www.fortysouthst.com.

Web store Olive Green Apparel will be taking 15 percent off its eco-chic, fleece-lined mittens (normally $65) Friday until Dec. 3. Use the code BlackFriday during checkout. www.olivegreenapparel.com.

Andover boutique First Date is offering 30 percent off all black merchandise and 20 percent off everything else Friday and Saturday. (In-store only.) Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. First Date is at 28 Chestnut St., Andover, 978-247-8999. Get a taste of what the store carries at www.shopfirstdate.com.

Ku De Ta is taking 15 percent off its prices (except for designer jewelry) on Friday. Ku De Ta is at 663 East Broadway, South Boston, 617-269-0008. www.kudetaboston.com

Home Depot's Black Friday deals include good buys on washers and dryers, such as an LG washer and electric dryer pair, normally $1,198, for $798; a Ridgid wet/dry vacuum for $19.88 (worth $99); and a buy-30, get-30 deal on Rayovac AA batteries (60 total for $9.99). Find Home Depot locations at www.homedepot.com.

Lowe's has deals on tools, kitchen and Christmas items, and more (in-store and online) Friday until Monday. The Saugus store will have a Skil 4-piece, 18-volt cordless combo tool kit for $59 (originally $129), a 12-cup programmable coffeemaker for $49.84 (originally $99.84), and a 400-light Christmas tree for $38 (was $98). Find locations at www.lowes.com.

Along with its slew of Black Friday deals, we're told Best Buy has already lowered prices on some of its televisions: 32-inch Dynex LCD HDTVs are now $299.99, 40-inch Dynex 1080p are $499.99, 32-inch Samsung 720p LCD HDTVs are $397.99, and 50-inch Samsung plasma 720p HDTVs are $697.99. www.bestbuy.com.

Chic home goods purveyor Hudson will be offering lots of discounts Friday through Sunday: Custom casegood and upholstery orders (tables, cabinets, beds, and upholstered seating) will be 20 percent off; in-stock lighting and textiles,15 percent off; casegoods and upholstery floor models, 10 percent off; and accessories (candles, books, ceramics, barware, and more), also 10 percent off. Hudson is in the South End at 312 Shawmut Ave., 617-292-0900, and 61A Central St., Wellesley, 718-239-0025. www.hudsonboston.com

Over the next few days, we'll be giving you a heads-up as to what's planned for Black Friday. For those who can't start shopping early enough, select Gap Outlets and Banana Republic Factory Stores will be hosting a Midnight Madness sale starting the first minute of Friday. Gap Outlet is offering up to 60 percent off all merchandise and a $10 zip fleece for the first customers; Banana Republic Factory Stores are offering 40 percent off all items and $10 men's and women's track jackets (men's is pictured). Until Sunday, shoppers at either store will get a special holiday shopping pass, each with three coupons worth $5, $10, $15, $20, or $500 off their purchase when used during a designated week between Dec. 4 and Dec. 24. Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store are both at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, 508-384-0870 and 508-384-5320, respectively. (Gap Outlet in the Arsenal Mall, Watertown, will open at 5 a.m.) www.gap.com

For the fashionistas on your holiday shopping list, we recommend a stop at Luna Boston on Friday (yes, Black Friday), where staff will be handing out $100-gift certificates good toward purchases of $200 or more. Should you have several fashionistas on your list, show up between 9 and 11 a.m. to get two gift certificates, or $200 toward a purchase of $400 or more. The boutique carries handbags, shoes, gloves, winter hats, and other accessories by Diane von Furstenberg, Rebecca Minkoff, Free People, and others. Certificates are valid Friday only. Luna Boston is at 205 Newbury St., Boston, 617-262-3900. www.lunaboston.com.

Regency Antiques, Lampworks & Restoration in Beacon Hill is preparing to move a few blocks up Charles Street, and has marked down most items in the store. Lamps, chandeliers, English and continental furniture, prints, and more are now up to 40 percent off. Sale ends November 28th; the store reopens at 96 Charles Street in early December. Regency Antiques, Lampworks & Restoration is, for now, at 70 Charles St., Boston, 617-742-3111. www.regencyboston.net.

Tomorrow through Sunday, our favorite spot to pick up Rubik's Cubes and irreverent action figures -- Monroe Salt Works, of course -- is taking 20 percent off everything in the store. (Previously marked down items excluded.) The stores' cheerful blend of old-school toys and games, novelty items, and signature country-chic stoneware make for good one-stop holiday shopping. Monroe Salt Works is at 202 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-646-6699, and Copley Place, Boston, 617-236-0045. www.monroesaltworks.com

On Centre in Jamaica Plain will be hosting a sample sale tomorrow until Sunday on jewelry designed by store owner Philip Celeste. Versatile, chain-style necklaces, earrings, and bracelets in 18-karat gold, sterling silver, copper, and black hematite finishes will be 25-50 percent off already wallet-friendly pri4ces. (Most long necklaces are normally $40-$50; earrings, $24-$35; bracelets and cuffs, $24-40). Find On Centre at 636 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-2255. www.philipceleste.com

Got a theater lover on your holiday shopping list? The American Repertory Theater is hosting a one-day sale today on its website, with $25-tickets for early performances of three upcoming plays. Discounted tickets for "Best of Both Worlds" are available for shows from November 21-28; "Gatz" (in two parts), for shows from January 7-12; and "Paradise Lost," February 27 to March 6. Tickets are normally up to $75. Sale runs from 9 a.m. to midnight. Use the code ONEDAY at checkout.

If you're needing to stock up on home goods, mark your calendar for this Thursday evening, when Economy Hardware hosts its Moonlight Madness Sale. From 5 to 10 p.m., everything in the stores will be anywhere from 10-60 percent off; some close-out items might be discounted a bit more steeply. Spend $250 or more and get free delivery (normally $49 within the Metro Boston area). If that's not enough, there will be free pizza (while it lasts). Economy Hardware is at 438 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3300; 219 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, 617-536-4280; and 1012 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-277-8811. www.citylivingstores.com

Beacon Hill boutique Cibeline is toasting its first year on Charles Street next Thursday evening with a sample sale and fashion show at The Liberty Hotel. The sale happens from 5 to 9 p.m. at the hotel's Alibi Bar + Lounge and will have chic dresses, jackets, pants, and skirts designed by boutique owner Cibeline Sariano for $100 (or up to 80 percent off original prices). The fashion show, part of the hotel's "Fashionably Late" series, kicks off at 10 p.m. and features Sariano's holiday collection. If you go, be sure to pick up a discount card good for a future visit to the store. The Liberty Hotel is at 215 Charles St., Boston, 617-224-4000. For more on Cibeline, visit www.cibelinesariano.com

Sister outfits George's Shoe Store and Benton Shoe Company have a designer shoe and boot event on now, with Blay, Donald J Pliner, Stuart Weitzman, Aquatalia, and others going for $21-$79 (normally up to $625). We don't need the calculators to sense there are some killer deals. The sale is on until everything's gone, but we'd say it's best to get there very soon. George's Shoe Store is at 669 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-4866. Benton Shoe Company is at 814 Elm St., Manchester, NH, 603-644-2550. www.bentonshoeco.com

Lady Grace's semi-annual sale starts on Sunday, with most bras (including sports bras) and shapewear up to 25 percent off. Warner's and Maidenform, Le Mystere and Chantelle will be among the brands included. Next Tuesday until Saturday, the newly remodeled Coolidge Corner store will host fit clinics by Wacoal, Spanx, Goddess, and others, with free gifts with purchases, while they last. Five percent of the week's sales will go to Brookline High School's 21st Century Fund. Lady Grace is at 1364 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-566-8194. Find other locations (semi-annual sale only) at www.ladygrace.com.

A tip for you this morning: San Francisco-based Shop It To Me recently released a study finding Wednesday to be a particularly good day to shop online. After comparing the prices of some 90,000 items from more than 100 retailers that went on sale during the first half of 2009, SITM found Wednesday is when you'll find the steepest discounts on most men's and children's items and on women's shoes, accessories, and intimates. Shopping on Tuesday, meanwhile, will get you the steepest markdowns on women's and girls' dresses and men's sweaters and boys' jeans. Lastly, Wednesday and Thursday are the days when most new items go on sale.

Find more info here.

This Friday evening and Saturday, Arlington's Fox Library hosts a women's second-hand clothing sale, held by the organizers of the former PTO Thrift Shop. There will be "mall brands," higher-end boutique brands, and vintage, we're told, all in top-notch condition, as well as shoes, jewelry, purses, scarves, and home wares. Average price of the items is a whopping $3.50; proceeds benefit the Friends of the Fox Library. The sale happens from 5 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at 175 Massachusetts Ave., East Arlington. For more information, see www.littlefoxshop.com.

If two is better than one, it follows that four is even better, and six, well... you get the idea. Vessel is offering discounts on multiples through Christmas---if you buy two of any item, you get five percent off; if you buy four, you get 10 percent off; buy six, get 15 percent off; buy eight, get 20 percent off. We now have less of an excuse to leave our mugs and plates orphaned, and more of an incentive to do some one-stop holiday shopping for the folks on our list. Vessel is at 125 Kingston St., Boston, 617-292-0982. www.vessel.com

Escada has begun its sale on its pre-fall merchandise, with well-stocked racks of tops, blazers, sweaters, and dresses marked down 40 percent. The palette ranges from black-and-white '60s office chic to intensely saturated purples, teals, and pinks; we found ourselves gravitating toward grays, in particular, a smart, soft gray wool blazer (originally $610) and a long wool and cashmere high neck sweater (originally $430) that would have been perfect with tights and ankle boots. Escada is at 308 Boylston St., Boston, 617-437-1200. www.escada.com.

This evening, Polka Dog Bakery fetes its new Jamaica Plain store with a grand opening party from 6 to 9 p.m. Items will be 10 percent off during that time, making it a good chance to pick up some food and treats. We hear there will be polka dancing, too, for those so inclined. Polka Dog Bakery is at 42 South St., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-1931. www.polkadog.com

It's perhaps a bit early to be thinking about next week, but heck, we like to plan in advance. From Monday (the 9th) until Sunday (the 15th), spending $75 or more at Luna Boston gets you a free express manicure at Exhale Spa. (Actually, it gets you a gift card for $15, the cost of an express manicure.) Luna Boston has stylish handbags, shoes, and accessories by Diane von Furstenberg, Rebecca Minkoff, Treesje, and others. It’s at 205 Newbury St., Boston, 617-262-3900. Exhale Spa is at 28 Arlington St., Boston, 617-532-7000.

Assuming it's not snowing on Saturday (the forecast now says sunny and 50 degrees), it might be a good day to take the family to Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo for its monthly Kids' Price Saturday. From 10 a.m. to noon, everyone pays $8 at Franklin Park and $7 at Stone (adult prices are normally $14 and $11, respectively). As they say, the early bird catches the... wildebeest? (Groan.) Find more details at www.zoonewengland.org

If you frequent Aunt Sadie's, you might know about Gracie Finn, a small store-within-a-store selling paper goods, irreverent cards, and a host of fun, quirky gift items (such as flasks, finger puppets, wind-up toys). This Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., the two outfits celebrate a redesign of their shared digs with a soiree, complete with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, piano music, and 40 percent-discounts on Aunt Sadie's candles. If you can't make it tonight, the candles will be 30 percent off throughout the day today, with every 15th customer getting one for free. Aunt Sadie's and Gracie Finn are at 18 Union Park St., Boston, 617-357-7117. www.auntsadiesinc.com

Mitchell John Salon in the Financial District has begun offering manicures, and is offering first-time salon clients a free manicure (worth $25) with any hair color service ($55 and up). The special runs until Nov. 30th, and is not valid on Mondays. Mention the deal when you book. Mitchell John is at 67 Broad St., Boston, 617-951-0122. www.mjsalon.com

To celebrate its 35th birthday, The Games People Play is taking 10 percent off all its board games, puzzles, chess sets, and other table games today until Sunday. As an added nice touch, the store is also offering five-percent sales tax this weekend. The selection runs the gamut from familiar to obscure, and if you expect there will be a backgammon or cribbage aficionado on your holiday shopping list this year, the sale might be a good chance to get a head start. Games People Play is at 1100 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-492-0711. www.thegamespeopleplaycambridge.com

Looking to add new jeans to the wardrobe? Chrislee in Needham is taking 15 percent off its denim from next Tuesday (Nov. 3rd) until next Saturday (the 7th). The boutique carries a good variety of Hudson and Big Star jeans (originally around $150-$190 and $78-$148, respectively); Miss Me ($98); William Rast (around $200-$220); and Antik and Taverniti So (both $175-$250). Check out the 70-percent-off rack for good finds among past season sweaters, tops, and cocktail dresses, populated by the likes of Vivienne Tam, Odd Molly, and Tracy Reese. Chrislee is at 1110 Great Plain Ave., Needham, 781-453-4073. www.chrisleeboutique.com

Alright, consignment shoppers. We hear one of Second Time Around's Newbury Street stores (the one at 176 Newbury) is taking half off of most of its merchandise this Friday and Saturday. Find tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, bags, and more. Store opens at 10 a.m. both days. 617-247-3504. www.secondtimearound.net