By the time Target in Weston opened Wednesday at 7 a.m., there were already 30 people waiting to get inside.

Shoppers were eager to save some pennies by taking advantage of after Christmas sales, and retailers are hoping the sales mean a bright start to the year ahead.

Allen Behnke, who is in town visiting family, always buys his Christmas cards on sale.

"I like to get them shortly after Christmas when you get the good sales," Behnke said.

He doesn't care so much what cards they pick, as long as they're on clearance and will hold his family's annual Christmas letter.

Another shopper, Sharon Hollenbeck, was also on the hunt for a good deal Wednesday.

"Yes, I come shopping the day after Christmas every year," she said.

Hollenbeck spent the entire morning stocking up on clearance gift bags, wrapping paper and decorations from retailers all over town.

"I think I hit the stores I wanted to so I think this may be my last store. My truck is full front and back so I think I'll have to go home," she laughed.

Retailers are hoping for an end of the year boost in spending, so they can make room for spring merchandise.

"Believe it or not we are. Retailers are always three months ahead of the weather, so yeah we're already thinking spring," said Don Kulinski, Target's executive team leader.

During the busy morning rush, shoppers who weren't taking advantage of the sales, were using their gift cards or making returns.

"Receipts make it the best, the fastest return, gift receipts are great," Kulinski said. "If they don't have that they can come in with a form of payment and we can usually find a receipt in our computer."

But don't wait too long. At Target, most items have a 90 day return policy, except for electronics which must be returned within 30.

Across the board, consumers spent cautiously this holiday season, but overall sales still increased.