It's that time of the year again: the returning of the Christmas gifts. Here are tips from the National Retail Federation on taking back those thoughts that don't really count:

Keep all receipts. Without one, the retailer may only issue store credit or the lowest sale price for the item in the past 30 days.

Return in original packaging. Some stores charge a restocking fee of up to 15 percent of the item's cost if the box is open.

For online shopping, return to the right place. Make sure you have the correct address if you need to mail returns back to the company. Some merchants handle returns at off-site service centers.

—Catherine E. Toth

KISSING COUSINS WITH SEATTLE

Facing a dateless New Year's Eve? Maybe by midnight you'll find someone to kiss: Honolulu was named the nation's second-best city for hooking up, according to a survey done by deodorant company AXE. Our city scored top marks in diversity and, of course, weather.

Who's No. 1? Seattle (so maybe skin-baring warm weather doesn't have anything to do with it). San Francisco, Austin and San Diego rounded out the top 5. For details, see www.theAxeEffect.com.

—Catherine E. Toth

FINAL WORD

"You don't really scream in real life. If there's truly anything scary, then you would almost swallow it. And if there's a mouse nearby, you'd squeal: 'Aaiiee!' Where does a scream come from? It's really movies, I think."

Naomi Watts | on screaming in "King Kong," to The Associated Press