7 ways to maximize DSF's last two days

We're letting you in on what we picked out and which sales were the best.

GO EARLY
We love the malls at 10 am on a Friday. Our advice? Put on a pair of comfy sneakers and hit Mall of the Emirates early before the crowds swoop in around midday. The idea, you see, is to get in three solid hours before the madness takes over, and you have to wrestle a bit to yank that grey sequined top from under the aggro lady's grip.
HOARD GIFTS
Someone's birthday in April? Zero in on something now and hang on to it. Chances are you may not get a better deal closer to the date. Yes, we know, sales happen round the year, but not like this, not 50-70 per cent off.
DESIGNER LOOT
If you're not someone who will ordinarily shop at Longchamp or Karen Millen or Kate Spade or what have you, make an exception. Check out what's going cheap now, and if you really like it - go for it. It won't get cheaper. And if you're getting designer stuff at the same price as, say, H&M, then why not? Ted Baker, by the way, charmed us with its hefty markdowns. Oh, and make a beeline for electronics. Carrefour and Emax and the lot of them have slashed Sennheiser headphone prices.
TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE
Some of us picked out two suits at Sacoor Brothers for the price of one (birthday presents for other halves). Some of us also wrangled two watches from Rivoli Hour Choice, as they had a 'half back' offer. So, on a Tissot for Dh950, we got Dh450 back, with which we bought one of their in-house brands - 'Continental' - Swiss made, apparently, for Dh650. Hardly dirt cheap, but it's all relative, isn't it?
BABY CLOTHES!
Okay, this deserves a separate category. So many of us are surrounded by new mums, and small kids that it's best to stock up on stuff one has to shower on them later in the year at birthday parties or when you're feeling magnanimous.
DON'T GIVE UP
Here's the thing - stockists replenish stock (that's what they're there for), so if you haven't found your fave pair of jeans, do go back. Well, too late now, but keep it in mind for future sales.
BE LOYAL
It's not a bad idea to stick to one mall and get all your shopping done there as each mall runs independent draws. So keep your receipts in one place and make time to drop 'em off on your way out.
 

• Dubai