Malls pull out all the stops to make holiday shopping pleasant

They've dressed up the trolleys to carry you and your packages from store to store.

They've put out their sale signs.

And the carolers are ready to sing.

All up and down Randall Road, stores are ready for the throngs of Christmas shoppers bursting to hit the retail corridor in just two days.

The big-box chains in South Elgin, Elgin and Algonquin are ready to welcome you bright and early, with Kohl's opening at 5 a.m. and Target following close behind at 6 a.m.

Algonquin Commons is opening just an hour earlier that day -- at 9 a.m., and will stay open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Some of the individual stores at the shopping center -- such as Old Navy and American Eagle -- will open their doors at 5 a.m., however.

Once you get in, they'll all be offering sales: from buy one, item get the second at 50 percent off at Justice, to 25 percent off coats at Coldwater Creek.

Stores such as Borders in Algonquin Commons will be offering gift-wrapping by local charities, with donations for this service benefiting those charities.

"I can't wait to see all of the decorations and the sales and the people. It's just so much fun and it gets me so excited for Christmas," said Lara Reid of Elgin.

"I just hope people are nice and don't get into any shoving matches for presents. I know what I want and I'm excited to get it and have fun doing it.

"I really don't plan to leave Algonquin Commons. I have my plan mapped out for shopping and eating. I hope to be done and home by 2 p.m."

If you're shopped out by early afternoon, Algonquin Commons has a little relief for you.

There'll be mule-drawn trolley rides, which will carry you from one end of the mall to the other for free. Earlier this week, staffers dressed up the trolley with Christmas decorations and garlands to make it festive for shoppers.

And if you'd prefer to walk along the way, and take a break on the mall's benches instead, you can listen to the merry carolers who'll be strolling the mall, trying to make the mad rush to shop as enjoyable as possible.

"Algonquin Commons will be beautifully decorated for the holiday season, making it a very festive atmosphere for our shoppers," said Jan Quinlan, the shopping center's spokeswoman.

If you're looking for even more of a break from the holiday shopping, you can grab a bite to eat at the numerous restaurants along Randall, which will boast long hours that day to feed the hordes from morning until night.

And if it's drink you're looking for, The Village Vintner in Carpentersville will have their holiday glogg ready to take home.

Now if you don't need any rest at all -- and you're ready to start shopping even earlier than 5 a.m. -- you'll want to head to the malls east and west of Randall.

If you're heading to Prime Outlets in Huntley, you'll want to be sure to fall asleep in front of the football game after your turkey on Thanksgiving to at least get a few winks in.

The mall opens at midnight and doesn't close again until 10 p.m.

After your shopping's complete, you can stop in the food court, where local volunteer groups will be on hand wrapping gifts for donations.

Spring Hill Mall opens just an hour later at 1 a.m., with Santa, charity wrapping available at Barnes & Noble -- and of course, many sales.

Lake in the Hills resident Daina McGee said she will be there that morning, no matter what.

"I get a rush about the day after Thanksgiving shopping," McGee said. "I am going to be out there at 12:30 to get the deals and for the experience of it."

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.