Jonathan Skewes, 12, helps his sisters Lydia, 12, and Audrey, 10, find a serial number on Lydia's iPhone 4s at Best Buy on Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga on Monday. The kids received iPads and a Kindle Fire for Christmas so they went with their father to Best Buy to have protective coatings applied to the devices' screens.

Easton Pevehouse, 2, helps his mother, Brandy Hayes, pick out a nutcracker on sale Monday at Target on Gunbarrel Road. Flocks of post-holiday shoppers took advantage of sales on ornaments, wrapping paper and lights among other things.

After weeks of buying Christmas presents for everyone else, Keisha Sales decided to buy a few things for herself on Monday.

"This is for me today," she said while picking up two CDs at Best Buy on Gunbarrel Road.

Sales also planned to hit up the JC Penney at Hamilton Place mall to take advantage of after-Christmas deals and coupons.

"I saw stuff that was definitely on sale," she said. "So I had to come out."

With continued heavy traffic around the Hamilton Place area Monday morning, it was hard to tell that Christmas holiday shopping had wrapped up. Traditionally a busy day for holiday returns and gift card spending, this year's day after Christmas was given an extra boost as many employees had the day off in observance of the holiday.

Shoppers said they were enticed by big discounts on retail and clearance-priced holiday merchandise.

The Target on Gunbarrel Road opened at 7 a.m. with a line of more than 50 people waiting outside to get their hands on bargain Christmas decor and supplies.

"Since then it's been pretty steady all day," said Target human resources manager Todd Bridges. "They're trying to get in here to scoop that stuff up."

Pam McMillian grabbed plenty of wrapping paper, Christmas candy and baking supplies at Target. She and a friend go shopping every year on the day after Christmas.

"And I've already bought some Christmas presents for next year," she said.

Though not nearly as frenzied, McMillian said the day reminds her of Black Friday shopping, which she also enjoys.

"The deals are just as great," she said.

Steve Skewes was with his three children Monday morning purchasing accessories for his children's electronic Christmas gifts. His son also was planning to head to Barnes and Noble to make use of a new gift card. He's no fan of fighting the crowds, but Skewes said he takes his kids out just about every year on Dec. 26.

"Isn't this crazy?" he said. "I can't stand shopping."

At Sears at Hamilton Place, assistant manager Roy Allen said most shoppers were hunting bargains and that few were coming in to make returns or exchanges.

"It's been people shopping," he said. "We've seen some returns, but it looks like more shoppers than people bringing back gifts."

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