Strategic shoppers hit the stores Tuesday for post-Christmas deals, stocking up on supplies they hoped would last them for years.

With her 17-month-old son Bryson Wichael in tow, Jewett City resident Jennifer Arnold headed to Lisbon Commons with exactly that in mind.

"Hopefully this will last me a couple years," she said of the eight rolls of festive wrapping paper in her shopping cart. "I'm almost all out after this year. I have a lot of children to buy for in my family, so that's a lot of wrapping paper."

Arnold said she spent only $20 on her haul and was attracted to anything with a 50 percent off sign, of which there were many.

Although most people are finished with their Christmas shopping by Christmas Eve - at the latest - bargain-hunters like Arnold wait to pounce until the day after Christmas and opt to save their goods for the following year.

And while CNN Money reported shoppers are expected to return more than $46 billion worth of goods this holiday season, there were no lines at the courtesy desk at Target Tuesday morning.

Sterling residents Tanya and J.P. Pechie said they weren't planning on returning anything this year, but were grateful for the lack of lines at the courtesy desk.

"She lost her boot," Tanya said of her 11-month old daughter sitting in the shopping cart. "So we were relieved that they could help us quickly."

The Pechie family also took advantage of post-Christmas deals, buying an array of wrapping paper and holiday decorations. After celebrating their first Christmas with daughter Natalie, they were looking forward to planning a winter wonderland themed first birthday party for her in January.

"We were able to stock up on plenty of party favors and decorations for the party at, like, half the price we would have a few days ago," Tanya said. "I think this is the smartest strategy because it wasn't even crowded and now it's one less thing to worry about next year."

Others braved the cold weather for everyday household supplies that tend to run low after holiday parties. Davahn Miller, 11, of Griswold, left the Lisbon stores Tuesday with his mother and sisters to head home with a bulk supply of paper towels, and with good reason. The family has welcomed a puppy to the family this Christmas, and potty training is at the top of the to-do list.

"He goes to the bathroom a lot," Davahn said. "But he's the best present ever."

Davahn was also eager to return home to introduce a new toy to the German shepherd/pitbull mix.

"His name is Chance because we are giving him a second-chance at life," Davahn said.