It's the thought that counts. But sometimes, the gift just doesn't cut it. So when looking through your Christmas and Hanukkah haul, you just may decide there are some gifts that you'll treasure, but a few that you wish you can give back.

Can you? The TODAY team has compiled eight tips to Holiday gift returns, to ensure that you get the most back when you return those unwanted gifts. So remember: Save the receipt. Keep original packaging. Be friendly to the store staff. And know which retailers (Nordstrom, Costco) are the most leniant.

Check out the full list on TODAY.com.  

A Philadelphia pet shelter is waiving fees and looking for donations as they close out 2016 and ring in the "Mew Year."

The Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia on W Hunting Park Avenue is offering discounted pricing on adoptions as they "Bark in the Mew Year." [[408321105, C]]

The event is set up to follow some traditional New Year’s resolutions like getting in shape, saving money and learning something new.

ACCT Philly's event kicks off Monday with free large dog adoptions and wraps up New Year’s Eve with all strays being free. [[26343834, C]]

The violent slaying of a popular 81-year-old known for dressing up as Santa who was gunned down in her South Philadelphia store on Christmas Eve left her family searching for answers and police searching for the killer.

A man dressed in all black walked into Marie’s Grocery Store at S 6th and Titan streets around 8:50 a.m. Saturday and fire around one dozen shots at owner Marie Buck, said investigators.

Medics rushed Buck -- who lived on the block -- to Jefferson Hospital where she died a short time later, said police.

Buck's family spent Christmas trying to come to terms with a reason that someone would kill their beloved mother -- a woman who dressed as Santa every Christmas Eve as part of family tradition -- in such a violent manner.

Buck's family said she owned the store -- where a memorial of flowers and candles continued to grow Monday -- for nearly 44 years. Buck's daughter, Maria Buck, called her mother an angel. Many people in the neighborhood called her "Aunt Marie."

"When you were short changed, or whatever, she'd help you out that's the type of person she is," said longtime customer Wanda.

Homicide investigators gave no update on their investigation Monday. Police didn’t reveal a motive for the shooting but robbery didn't appear to be a reason considering the gunman took nothing from the store, which Buck's husband had convinced her to give up in the New Year.

An 89-year-old worker witnessed the shooting but no surveillance cameras captured the shooter, said police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police.

Police are searching for a woman and her great granddaughter after they went missing on Christmas Eve.

Barbara Briely, 71, and her great granddaughter La’Myra Briely, 5, left Mays Landing, New Jersey on December 24 and were traveling to Morven, North Carolina to visit their family. Police say they were last seen at an Exxon gas station in Ruther Glen, Virginia and appeared to be in good health.

Briely is driving a 2014 silver Toyota Rav 4 with the New Jersey license plate C80ELS. Detectives from Hamilton Township, New Jersey State Police, Virginia State Police and police in Morven, North Carolina are all searching for the woman and girl.

If you have any information on their whereabouts please call Detective Robison at 609-625-2700 ext.578.  

BRIEF WARMING TUESDAY
Warm air surged northward and pushed places like Cincinnati, Ohio to a record 71 degrees Monday -- where the record was smashed by SEVEN full degrees.

Similar records were set all over the Midwest. That warmth will move into our area Tuesday, with some records possible. 

Next month, however, will be a different story, if our most reliable models hold true. Simulations project a January that will afford our region multiple chances for snow as the middle of winter sets in. More on that in a bit, but first a look at this week and the New Year's Day weekend forecast.

Here are some of the existing records with a chance of being tied or broken Tuesday:
    Philadelphia – 65 (set just last year)
    Atlantic City – 67 (set in 2015)
    Wilmington – 65 (2015)
    Allentown – 59 (1949)
    Trenton – 63 (2015)

Below is a computer model showing temperatures compared to normal for 2 p.m. Tuesday:

A BRIEF COLD BLAST
Later this week, the region will turn from warm to cold --  thought that actually means from near-record warmth to temperatures close to normal for this time of year. The average high temperature in Philadelphia for Dec. 31 is 41 degrees, and the average low is 27. The midnight temperature would normally be in between those numbers -- about 34. And that’s exactly what we’re predicting for New Year’s Eve 2017. We’re not expecting much wind, so the wind chill shouldn’t be much lower than the actual temperature -- perhaps in the 28-30 degree range. Yes, that’s cold, but we’ve seen way worse over the years.

For example, in 1962, the high temperature in Philadelphia on Dec. 31 was only 15 and the low was 3 degrees. Ouch.

THE JANUARY PATTERN CHANGE
After a mild November, December 2016 has featured a couple of arctic blasts. Officially, in Philadelphia, we had two mornings with lows in the teens (wind chills don’t count in official records). Overall, temperatures will be slightly above normal, but about 12 degrees colder than last December. Total snowfall for the month has been a mere third of an inch. But that pattern is about to change as we head into January.

Here is the upper-air pattern for January 5th from “the best of the best," the European model ensembles. The model is run 51 times with slightly different initial conditions and the results are averaged. If we see strong features 10 days ahead with an ensemble run, it’s pretty impressive. And it makes us pretty sure that this basic pattern will indeed develop. Other models show very similar solutions, so there is even more confidence.

The area in red near Alaska (upper right) represents way above normal pressures (a “strong ridge”). Another strong ridge is in the North Atlantic, near Greenland (but not as strong as the Alaska ridge). In between pressures tend to be below normal (the blue colors). So, a “deep trough” extends from Central Canada into much of the U.S.

Here is the general temperature pattern around 5000 ft, which gives us a good idea about averages. We are in the colder than normal area, on the edge of the very cold air. In short, cold enough for snow.

What about snow chances? Here is another model with a similar solution to the European-the American GFS model (yes, this time the models agree). Here is the GFS ensemble 7-day precipitation.

The wet area extends from near New Orleans up the east coast. (Much of the rest of the country will be dominated by Arctic high pressure, keeping them dry).

So, our chances for snow start going up around January 5th. And as long as this pattern continues, on average, we would get multiple chances for snow. However, this is not necessarily a pattern for big snowstorms. Storms would be racing up the coast, limiting how many hours of snow any one storm would give us.

Let’s see how this new pattern evolves. But don’t expect the “quiet” weather of December to continue much longer.

Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.

TODAY'S TOP STORY

Police Search for Woman, Great Granddaughter Who Went Missing Christmas Eve: Police are searching for a woman and her great granddaughter after they went missing on Christmas Eve. Barbara Briely, 71, and her great granddaughter La’Myra Briely, 5, left Mays Landing, New Jersey on December 24 and were traveling to Morven, North Carolina to visit their family. Police say they were last seen at an Exxon gas station in Ruther Glen, Virginia and appeared to be in good health. Briely is driving a 2014 silver Toyota Rav 4 with the New Jersey license plate C80ELS. Detectives from Hamilton Township, New Jersey State Police, Virginia State Police and police in Morven, North Carolina are als0 searching for the woman and girl.

• MORE ON THE SEARCH

YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

Tuesday could also see temperatures in the 60s. The cold temperatures are expected to return by Thursday when the area could see a mix of rain and some snow. High Temp: 60 Degrees. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

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WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Man on Christmas: A driver struck and killed a 45-year-old New Jersey man on Christmas morning and then fled the scene, said Toms River Police. Chief Mitch Little said officers found Keith Elliott lying at the corner of Highland Parkway and Herflicker Boulevard on Sunday morning around 10:40 a.m. suffering from injuries "consistent" with a hit-and-run incident. Elliot was declared dead at the scene, said police. "The initial investigation appears to show that, prior to his death; Mr. Elliott left his residence on Messenger Street," said a news release from Toms River Police. "It is believed he was walking to the bus terminal on Highland parkway. He was planning on taking a bus to Lacey Township where he was to spend Christmas Day with his family."

• MORE ON THE HIT-AND-RUN

AROUND THE WORLD

UN Secretary General to Push Times Square 2017 Button: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will perform one last ceremonial duty before ending his 10-year leadership of the world body. Organizers of the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration announced Monday that Ban will push the Waterford crystal button to begin the official 60-second countdown to 2017. The South Korean statesman was elected as the eighth secretary-general by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2006. Dec. 31 will be his last day in office. Antonio Guterres, of Portugal, will take over on Jan. 1.

• MORE ON THE CEREMONY

Family Stranded Near Grand Canyon Shares Story: Karen Klein, a 46-year-old Easton, Pennsylvania native and professor at Northampton Community College, was on vacation in Las Vegas with her husband Eric Klein, 47, and their 10-year-old son Isaac. They decided to travel to Bryce Canyon in Utah and the Grand Canyon in Arizona Thursday while using GPS. The family tried to drive on State Route 67 to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon but discovered it was closed for the winter. They then sought an alternate way to reach their destination. “The GPS did not indicate that certain roads were closed and impassable,” Karen said. Jim Driscoll, chief deputy for Coconino County, Arizona, says it’s a problem authorities have seen numerous times. As the family continued traveling, a blizzard set in and their vehicle got stuck in a ditch on a forest road. With no cell service and bitter cold temperatures, Karen and Eric knew that they had to find help fast. They decided that Karen, who is a marathon runner and triathlete, was in the best shape to make the attempt. Wearing a parka, knit cap and hiking boots, Karen journeyed into the snow while her husband and son stayed inside the vehicle. Karen walked for 26 miles through and over snow as deep as three-feet before finding a tree that she stayed under during the night.

• MORE ON THE RESCUE

SPORTS SPOT

Sixers Lose to Kings: The Sixers lost 100 to 102 against the Sacramento Kings.  Get your full sports news at CSNPhilly.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

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See more Top News Photos here.

THROUGH IGER'S EYES

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@funkymac captured this engagement photo at Elfreth's Alley.

Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.

TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO

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Check out these designs by Apple. Watch more here.

Cancer Survivor Pays it Forward After Winning Competition at Pizza Shop: A Northampton County cancer patient is paying it forward after winning a competition from a local pizza shop. He decided to donate the pizza he won to a local food bank in order to help other people who were struggling. His act of kindness even inspired the pizza shop's owner. Read more.

That's what you need to know. We've got more stories worthy of your time in the Breakfast Buzz section. Click here to check them out. 

A tractor trailer caught fire after slammed into a gas station and at least one other vehicle in Philadelphia's Lawncrest section early Tuesday.

The crash happened at the Speedway station at Oxford Avenue and Levick Street around 6:15 a.m., fire officials said.

The truck, towing a trailer for Shop Rite supermarkets, and an SUV collided, sending the big rig careening into the gas station. The trailer then caught fire.

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"Smoke and flames were billowing out and then the stuff that was inside the truck, you heard a series of explosions," said Rae Taylor, who lives near the gas station.

Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the flames before it spread through the fuel stop.

The drivers of the truck and SUV were taken to a nearby hospital where they are listed in stable condition.

An employee at the gas station escaped harm.

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A Lehigh Valley cancer patient is paying it forward during the holidays – one pizza pie at a time.

Josh Katrick was diagnosed with colon cancer in July and has been getting by with the support of his family and friends.

A few weeks ago, he entered a local pizza give-away from his favorite pizzeria, Mario’s Pizza Shop in Northampton, Pennsylvania. Two weeks later, Katrick found out he won a year's worth of free pizza.

But when he did, he knew he wanted to do something good with it. So he decided to donate the two pizzas a month to a local food bank.

"Everybody was so grateful and paying it forward to me, I thought this an opportunity to pay it forward to other people who are down on their luck or going through hard times," Katrick said.

“The old adage is ‘When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.’ Well, life gave me pizzas so I made peace.”

Inspired by Katrick’s generosity, the pizza shop’s owner, Giovanni Aiello, is giving the man an additional 24 pies.

As for Katrick’s health, he is expected to make a complete recovery and he’s already much of the way there. He's completed 7 of his 12 chemotherapy treatments.

A construction worker was rescued Tuesday afternoon after falling nearly two stories down an elevator shaft in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties neighborhood, fire officials said.

The 15-20 foot fall took place inside an apartment complex under construction at 2nd and Widely streets around 12:30 p.m., officials said.

Firefighters were able to quickly remove him from the building's basement and take him to a waiting ambulance.

No word yet on his condition.

The driver of a sports utility vehicle was killed Tuesday afternoon after apparently being shot in the head as he drove near the Walnut Lane bridge in Northwest Philadelphia, police said.

The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. along Walnut Lane near Parkline Drive on the borders of the city's West Mount Airy and Germantown neighborhoods, police said.

The unidentified driver crashed into a car, then flipped his SUV moments after he was shot, police believe. He was found a few feet from the vehicle. 

The search was on within minutes of officers arriving at the scene for a woman seen running by witnesses.

Police said witnesses saw the woman running west on the bridge toward Henry Avenue. They said she may have thrown a jacket off the bridget.

A bystander called 911 for help after the Ford Expedition crashed. When paramedics arrived, they found the 33-year-old male driver had been shot once in the temple.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The crash happened at the western foot of the Walnut Lane bridge, which spans the Wissahickon Creek and connects the neighborhoods with Roxborough.

A large number of police set up a perimeter around the scene as they searched for a possible shooter and evidence.

Officers ventured into the woods near the creek to search the area as well.

So far, no one has been taken into custody.

A man was found dead inside a home following a fire Tuesday morning in Concord Township, Delaware County.

The Concordville Fire Company responded to a house fire on the 800 block of Naamans Creek Road shortly before 8 a.m. State Troopers also arrived at the home and requested the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit. During the investigation, officials found the body of an unidentified man inside the home.

They continue to investigate the cause of death as well as the cause of the fire.

PATCO service is shut down in Camden, New Jersey after someone was struck and killed by a train.

Officials say a PATCO train struck a person at Broadway Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The unidentified person later died from his or her injuries. Service is currently shut down due to the incident.

Based on preliminary information, officials believe the person jumped in front of the train though they continue to investigate.  

A teen boy is being hailed a hero after he was caught on camera snatching a gun from a robber who was targeting his parents’ business and scaring him off.

Efaj Ahmed, 17, was working inside his parents' convenience store on the 4000 block of Ventnor Avenue in Atlantic City Monday around 4:15 p.m. when a man in a dark jacket, hood and mask entered.

“I get up and he was like, ‘Put all the money right here,’” Ahmed told NBC10.

A surveillance video from inside the store shows the suspect setting an open bag and gun on the cashier counter.

“His hand was right on the bag and the gun was right on the counter,” Ahmed said. “He’s like, ‘Put all the money right here, right now.'”

That’s when the teen jumped into action and turned the tables on the suspect. Surveillance video shows him snatching the robber’s gun.

“I snatched the gun from him, took it and aimed it at him,” Ahmed said. “That’s when he took his mask off and everything and put his hands up. He’s like, ‘Stop. Stop. Stop.'”

The suspect fled the store and was last seen walking quickly southbound on Ventnor Avenue, police said. Investigators are currently looking for surveillance footage of the suspect from nearby stores. Neighboring business owners say they recognize the suspect and believe he’s known to police.

“He’s not really a professional,” Ahmed said. “He’s a local person who needs some money for drugs.”

Ahmed admitted he’d never held a gun before Monday’s incident.

“When I was a little kid my dad used to buy me BB guns. That’s about it,” he said while chuckling.

Ahmed said he would do it all over again however in order to protect what his parents have worked so hard for.

“They put a roof over my head,” he said. “They give me food. Three meals a day. I’ve got to do something. I’ve got to help them out. As soon as I had the gun I knew he couldn’t do nothing to me.”

Police continue to search for the suspect.