Columnist Muriel Stevens: Pick spots for sales shopping

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 | 8:19 a.m.

A shopping dilemma. Should consumers take advantage of the many sales, announced and unannounced, being offered at many stores or should they hold out until the splendid new Fashion Show shops debut Nov. 1?

It depends on what you're buying. I've already bought some terrific high-end gift items for moderate prices. Just remember to save all sales slips. With so many sales and so many fluctuating prices only a sales receipt will confirm the cost.

And buy gift certificates only from stores that do not limit the time a gift certificate can be used. These certificates should be valid until used, but sometimes they have a limit of one year. So ask before purchasing one, especially at small specialty shops.

Shopper's guide: For health-conscious food shoppers, the pocket-size "Sugar Busters Shopper's Guide" (Ballantine Books, $3.99) is a handy aid. It's not necessary to be following the Sugar Buster diet to use the guide. What this little helper provides is the know-how to buy the good foods and to avoid the less-healthful ones. Look for the guide in bookstores.

Super bargains to Europe: A valid passport is a must if travelers want to be ready when noteworthy deals come along. Winter packages to London, Paris, Vienna or Rome from San Francisco or Los Angeles from Europe Express include round-trip fare, six nights accommodations, daily continental breakfast, hotel taxes and service charges.

But that's only part of the story. Prices are based on per-person double occupancy and do not include airline departure tax or weekend surcharges. Certain restrictions may apply, so add up the extras to learn what these trips really cost. For more information call (800) 927-3876 or go to the website -- europeexpress.com.

Cruise themes: Cruises are the most carefree kind of vacation. Once aboard ship the world is your oyster. All meals and all entertainment are provided. Dine around the clock if you wish or have room service in your stateroom.

Crystal Cruises' 2003 theme lineup covers everything from yoga to musical theater to food and wine and more. Two film festival cruises are a tribute to American motion pictures, and if you're the sort who likes interaction, a Murder Mystery cruise is returning for the second year.

Most popular are the Wine & Food Festivals featuring renowned chefs. This theme is offered on a variety of Crystal Cruises. Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents. For a complimentary 2003 Cruise Atlas call (800) 820-6663 or access crystalcruises.com.

How sweet it is: Ethel M Chocolates has launched Feed Your Mind, a program to support literacy in Clark County schools. Already in effect, Feed Your Mind will support two special programs; Clark County Reads and Kids to Kids. Ethel M has designated KidsCharities.org to administer these programs.

Here's how it works: Through Dec. 31, when a 1-pound Ethel M Deluxe Assortment is sold, $1 will be donated to the programs. Monies raised will buy much-needed books for schoolchildren. It's a sweet deal and the new packaging is lovely.