Editor's Note: School Bells Giving Way to Sleigh Bells

Despite a less-than-stellar economy, holiday retail growth was up to pre-recession levels last year, with 2011 sales peaking at $465 billion, up 4.13 percent from 2010, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Retailers will be counting on a boost in sales in the final stretch of the holiday season this year because there are two extra shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with Christmas falling on a Tuesday this year vs. a Sunday last year.