Michelle Schaefer and her family wouldn't have much of a Christmas without deals.

The mother of six looks for discounts everywhere, mostly on the Internet. She scours frugal-shopper blogs, finds Facebook discounts and searches store sales.

NORFOLK Mamie McCloud's office at St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children resembles a Christmas workshop - toys fill the closets and lights blink on and off on the shelves. McCloud is in her third year of reworking playthings at St. Mary's so kids with severe limitations can use them.

By David Nivens High Point (N.C.) Enterprise/McClatchy Regional News

HIGH POINT, N.C. North Carolina's Christmas flower flourished this year in greenhouses and so far has survived the early holiday shopping rush in hardy numbers. Shoppers seeking a last-minute gift or home decoration should have plenty of poinsettia choices.

VIRGINIA BEACH U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye is extending the deadline to write holiday cards to injured soldiers. Nye last week began collecting holiday cards he said he would deliver to wounded service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center. He has extended the deadline to 5 p.m. Monday, his office said.

By Evan Stewart Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end to the summer season, and one last chance for kids to celebrate before returning to school. Weatherwise, the  weekend is looking pretty nice, with just a small “fly in the ointment” on Monday.