DaytonDailyNews.com

With holiday shopping gearing up, it's time to consider where you can get the most bang for your buck. You want to find the perfect gift for everyone, but you also don't want to go into debt in the process.

A good place to start shopping is the Prime Outlet stores, located in Jeffersonville. Here you will find a huge assortment of discounted deals on the brands and products you know. The outlet center has the same products as a large mall: apparel for men, women and children; health and beauty; housewares; furnishings and accessories.

Before you venture there, have a strategy plan in mind.

Weather

This is an outdoor mall, so remember to dress appropriately. Very few of the stores are connected inside, so you'll have to go around on the pathways to reach your desired destination. Remember to opt for comfy shoes. Also be prepared to spend the whole day there if you want to get good deals and a good amount of stuff.

Parking

The Jeffersonville store spread is massive. What you're looking for should decide where you will park. If you want furniture or any other such large pieces from the Pottery Barn, consider parking near there. Signs by the parking lot entrance can direct you.

Looking for more classical or exotic home furnishings? Park near the Bombay outlet store (near the COACH store), located on the opposite side of the mall from Pottery Barn.

There's a trolley that can whisk you and your purchases back to where you parked, but you'll have to wait for it. If you're looking to do a lot of shopping, consider making frequent trips back to the car, as there are no carts to help you carry your stuff.

Deals

Not every store in the outlet mall is an actual outlet store. Many sell items at regular prices. The easiest way to find out is to look at the store's sign. If it says "outlet" or "factory," it's probably a discount store. If not, pop in to take a quick survey. See a lot of items at normal prices? If so, it's not an outlet store, so move on. Remember, you're there for deals, not everyday prices. Come with a list of whom you need to shop for as well as how much you are willing to spend to cut down on time and money.

The best stores for great deals

The following is a list of outlet stores that will afford great shopping at great prices:

Bath and Body Works outlet: Find your favorite products at better prices than you can find in the store. Sidewalk sales produce almost scandalously low prices.

Bombay outlet: This store is filled with beautiful home décor and furnishings at great prices. Many furniture items can be purchased at a fraction of what you would find in stores. Just park nearby if you're looking for something big.

Merchandise should be seeing some heavy markdowns since Bombay announced it would be closing its doors. Kristen Early, marketing director for the Jeffersonville outlet stores, said the outlet location will closed by the end of the year. "We are 100 percent full right now, and we will have no problem selling the space once Bombay is closed," she said. So enjoy the sales while they last.

Children's Place outlet: This is a great place to shop for baby showers and necessities. Everything says "Children's Place," so everyone will think you spent a bundle for the little bundle, but you'll know the truth.

COACH: This store provides a slice of heaven for any woman who has dreamed of owning a designer bag but could never swallow the inflated prices. The store screams style, with an elegant, crisp design and bags displayed in an easy-to-find format. This store also has plenty of clerks, so if you have questions, you can easily find someone with answers. Check out the display in the back corner of the store to find discounts on the already deeply slashed prices. Pamper your friends (and yourself) without having to pay out big bucks. This is a definite must-stop store.

Corningware Corelle Revere factory outlet: Get your master chef all the necessary items while cutting off a lot of the cost. The best deals are on cooking pans and dishes, as well as cooking utensils.

Fossil: Find great Fossil watches and accessories at a fraction of the price. Most watches are refurbished. The store is somewhat small, but has a large selection. Find great prices on wallets, bags and T-shirts, too.

J-Crew: The newest edition to Prime Outlets, J-Crew offers stylish apparel at much lower prices. The store opened in September and features items for men, women and children. Find fashion-favorites for a fraction of the designer price.

Lane Bryant Outlet: Great deals abound for plus-size women's clothing and intimates. Set up like any other Lane Bryant store, you'll have a pleasant shopping experience with plenty of helpful employees as well as plenty of deals.

Nike factory store: I would suggest going into this store just for the shoes. Although apparel is also sold here, it's set up in a helter-skelter fashion. Shoes are located in the back, and are displayed using a color-coded system, making it easier to find the right style.

Perry Ellis: For the special man in your life, you can easily update his wardrobe for under $200. Find both dressy and casual items, as well as items like socks and boxers.

Old Navy outlet: The deals found here are fantastic, with items for men, women, children, infants and maternity. It's just as chaotic and messy as any other Old Navy on a busy day, so be prepared to dig. Many items were priced well under $5, so be sure to stop in and check out the savings.

Pottery Barn: Find all the beautiful furniture and knickknacks known to Pottery Barn at affordable prices. Pay special attention to the signs posted around the store alerting you to extra discounts. Furniture is still expensive, but the smaller items are a real steal. Go to the back of the store for clearance items. Checkout lines are horribly long and slow, so be prepared for a long wait. There are carts available to help you move something big to your vehicle.

Williams Sonoma: Sidewalk sales afford the best discounts. The store is connected inside to Pottery Barn, so be careful that you are still shopping in the right section before you make your purchases. Like Pottery Barn, smaller items are very reasonably priced, with deals located in the back. You can find some of the same seasonal items being sold in the main store for lower prices at the outlet store.

Yankee Candle: After shopping here, you'll never want to buy candles from the main store again. There's a great selection of items, and the prices are fantastic. Find clearance gift sets and items at the front of the store behind the registers. Again, look for the signs posted around the store for extra savings. Find jar candles, pillars, tea lights, tarts and more.

Zales jewelry outlet: Make sure to at least stop in this store to find some amazingly low-priced jewelry. Cases in the back include items marked down to very manageable prices. This is where you'll find the real deals. The store has the same selection as any other Zales store, with prices a bit lower, but not all that outstanding.

Prime outlets-

Where: 8000 Factory Shops Blvd., Jeffersonville

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Holiday hours: The outlet mall will open its doors at midnight Nov. 22 for special post-Thanksgiving shopping.