Here's a July heat-beating idea: Think Christmas. Whether it's a PSP for a teen or a developmental toy for a tot, the bargain opportunities this weekend could have you cooling your shopping heels in December.

If the kid has been hounding you for an iPod or another high-tech gadget and this is the year you give in, check the City and County of Denver's surplus property online auction. Many unclaimed items lost at DIA would make great family gifts, including digital cameras, camcorders and portable DVD players. Also up for bid: redwood benches from Red Rocks Amphitheatre. But hurry - bidding ends at 5 p.m. today. 720-913-8247, success-auctions-online.com

Or, if your children are younger, maybe this is the year they find a Brio train under the tree. Buy it now at Kazoo & Company's much-awaited annual sale. Once a year, as part of the Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale, the store offers 40 percent to 70 percent off select items, such as Brio, Playmobile, books, dolls, and science and art kits. The sale continues through Sunday. 2930 E. Second Ave., 303-322-0973, kazootoys.com

Many of the 320 Cherry Creek shops get in on the sidewalk-sale action, including Eccentricity, which has marked all gifts and accessories down 70 percent or more. The boutique's lowest prices of the year also include $40 for all blouses, $45 for pants and shoes and $65 for all boots. 290 Fillmore St., 303-388-8877, eccentricity.com

Cherry Creek's Coppelia's Needlepoint and the Shivering Sheep also slashed prices for the event on everything from yarn to knitting bags to needle cases. Its sale continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 231 Milwaukee St., 303-320-7776

And SoL has discounts of up to 90 percent on designer lingerie, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 248 Detroit St., 303-394-1060, sollingerie.com

Wildflowers, a home, gift and garden shop, is also throwing a sidewalk sale this weekend, with items marked down from 50 percent to 75 percent, including houseplants, candles, and bath and body products. 1201 Madison St., 303-333-4050

Today's also the day of the Denver Museum of Miniatures Dolls and Toys' annual yard sale, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Gund merchandise in the gift shop is also marked down 25 percent, including stuffed animals, picture frames and notecards. 303-322-1053, 1880 Gaylord St., dmmdt.org

You can find bargains on children's summer items through July 26 at Kids Again Children's Consignment. The store is making room for back-to-school items and letting everything go for 40 percent to 70 percent off. And don't forget to check the special $2 rack. 2670 E. County Line Road, Unit F, Littleton, 303-740-7333, kidsagain.net

If you know any retro or vintage fans, shop Historic Boulder's 37th Annual Re*Use Re*Sale, which includes items from three Boulder estates. Find furniture, lamps and collectibles at the two-day sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and July 26. 757 Eighth St., 303-444-5192

Everything at Act II Consignment Boutique will be half-price from Thursday through July 31 for its semi-annual end-of-season sale. Find deals on clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry, household items and more. 1226 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, 303-795-1122, myact2.com

Have a tip on a good sale? Send it to dmelani@msn.com.