Five-year-old Tylor Foreman and his mother, Desiree, were among the crowd of shoppers out Friday. The two had to exchange a bicycle.

The one Tylor received on Christmas Day was missing some pieces, his mother said. That had led to some tears and a brief ride Thursday on an incomplete bike — and then to a Friday outing to get a new new bicycle, she said.

Wyat Deshotel was also out with his mother, Ashley. They had to exchange video games because not all of the games Wyat received for Christmas were compatible with the gaming console he has.

No big deal, he said: “I still got plenty more toys.”

Tanna Pike and her daughter, Allison Meaux, were out in search of discounted Christmas ornaments and other “treasures.” Meaux said she planned to buy next year’s holiday decorations this year.

The pair said they had been to several stores and had found some sales that were offering up to 50 percent off the regular price.

“You’ve got to have your plan of attack,” Pike said. “I’m teaching her all the tricks.”

Leah Thibodeaux had her sights set on a specific item — a Santa Claus decoration that she had heard was marked down 70 percent to 80 percent.

“I know what I’m looking for,” she said as she entered the store.

Likewise, Deanna Doucet was out looking for holiday decorations for next year.

Doucet said she doesn’t head to the stores the day after Christmas every year, but that she does so often enough that it’s part of her holiday tradition.

There’s just one problem with buying decorations a year ahead of time, Meaux said: “The hard part is remembering where you’ve put the stuff.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman