With Thanksgiving near, that also means that one of the greatest shopping days is also on its way. Black Friday is a great way to start Christmas shopping early, and it's a great day to get some awesome deals. As someone who has gone Black Friday shopping for the past few years, I've realized different ways to make my experience more worthwhile and efficient.
1. Wake up early to shop
It's difficult to wake up early, especially after all of the Thanksgiving food that was eaten the day before. However, I've gotten up at 5 am and made it to the stores by 6, and they're not too busy! Wake up early to get some great deals and beat the afternoon rush.
2. Eat breakfast before
There's nothing worse while shopping than standing in a long line of people hearing your stomach growl because you decided to skip breakfast in order to get to the stores. Before going out, make sure to eat something! Go out to your favorite restaurant (if it's open that early) or be sure to eat a filling meal at home so you can focus on shopping while you're out.
3. Be kind to the employees
As someone who works in customer service, I could never imagine having to work the absurd hours or deal with the insane amounts of people shopping on Black Friday. Make sure to treat each employee with kindness and respect because it's probably been a long and busy day or night for them. You never know how kindness will positively impact someone.
4. Know what you're looking for
Many sites will have their Black Friday deals online that you can look at beforehand. When going to your favorite stores, have an idea of what you're trying to buy. The lines are usually long, so this is a great way to make sure that you aren't spending unnecessary time browsing when you could be getting in and out in order to avoid the crowds.
5. Remember that items aren't worth fighting over
After Black Friday each year, there are videos of arrests and of people fighting over different items that are on sale. When shopping, remember that the clothes, electronics, or whatever else you're shopping for aren't worth getting into a fight over. Although the deals are great, it isn't worth sacrificing your dignity over a material item.
6. Go with someone else
For me, going with someone else has been a matter of safety and also fun. There can be large crowds of people, so I enjoy going to someone else so I don't get lost within the crowd. Going with another person, such as a friend, partner, or family member, is also enjoyable because you're able to talk in line and discuss what you like about what you're buying. It helps the time go by faster in aren't, and it's fun to spend time with someone you love.
7. Have a plan
Come up with a plan the night before. Knowing what stores you're going to can help you limit the amount of lines and people that you will need to be around. This also helps with time. Black Friday is busy, and if you aren't planning on staying out all day, then having a list of places you want to go can be especially helpful.
Black Friday can be a fun day for shopping and spending time with friends and family if the day is done right. As a frequent Black Friday shopper, I can say that these strategies have helped me over the past few years with making this day an enjoyable experience. Happy shopping!
