Oh, the weather outside was frightful.

The fire inside was so delightful.

And it didn't snow, didn't snow, didn't snow.

But it did rain. Though that didn't stop shoppers on Friday from trying to save some dough.

Bargain hunters descended on retailers in the wee morning hours on the traditional first day of Christmas shopping. Retailers lured shoppers by slashing prices on select merchandise by offering DVD players for less than $30, computer systems for $500, diamond bracelets for $99 and free gift cards ranging from $1 to $100.

Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hempfield Township saw its entire line of DVD players for less than $30 vaporize off the shelf within 10 minutes, said John Fogarty, store manager.

Open 24 hours, the store had unadvertised specials from midnight to 5 a.m. such as karaoke machines for $15. The parking lot was full when advertised specials went on sale at 6 a.m.

Trampolines, a remote-controlled Hummer H2 and a DVD-VCR combination player did well.