Massive Kids Exchange opens children's consignment sale season this week

The long-running sale, which is typically open for a few days in January and July each year, spreads out across two buildings - the Jim Graham Building and Expo Building at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh.

Public hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Sunday is half price day when many items are 50 percent off.

The sale will feature all manner of clothes, toys, furniture, gear and other accessories for kids. There will be a particular emphasis on fall and winter items - including holiday dresses, school clothes, winter coats and boots, for instance. But, in my experience shopping this sale, you can find a little bit of everything (really, a lot of everything, considering the size).

If you go, be prepared for some lines (though they have always seemed to go faster than expected when I was there). And, go prepared. Be sure to bring a list of the things your kids need and their sizes. Also, it's always a good idea to bring a bin, wagon or something else to hold your finds as you shop.