From Massachusetts to Alabama, sales tax on everything from socks to laptops will be waived. But not every state wants to leave those tax dollars on the table.

Be patient, be persistent, keep your receipts. And you might just have many happy returns.

Hurricane Sandy, the threat of the fiscal cliff, and the election may have all contributed to a disappointing holiday shopping season.

Fiscal cliff negotiations continue to worry markets, but end of the year holiday sales are bringing some cheer to the economy.

According to the NPD Group, shoes rank among the top sellers this holiday season.

The day after Thanksgiving is known as the biggest retail sales day of the year. The day after Christmas is the start of the biggest week for holiday gift returns and a tough time for retailers.

Christmas is on a Tuesday this year, meaning procrastinators get an extra day at the beginning of next week to finish up their shopping. And because Thanksgiving was as early as it could be this year, it's an extra-long holiday season for retailers.

Families and experts share how they express their generosity without pulling out the plastic.