Most people's favorite day of the year is Christmas, Halloween or their Birthday. Well, I have a very different idea of fun. My favorite day of the year, the one that I look forward to for 364 days of the year is Black Friday. I am not crazy, and I don't tackle people for the last item on the shelf, but I am a shopaholic. Black Friday is a shopaholics dream come true, their Heaven. I've been doing this (successfully) for a long time, so I want to share some of my expertise with you!
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Ads are already coming out,and they all come in the newspaper on Thanksgiving morning. It's a tradition for my mom and I to look through all the papers while we watch the parade. Look for what you want, compare the prices at stores, and know when the sales start and end. Door busters only last until a certain time in the morning, and electronics sell out quickly. Plan on going for the big ticket items first thing. Make a list of the stores you want to go to, what is at each store, and the price that they are in the paper for.
2. Don't plan to "shop"
Black Friday isn't a day to casually walk around the mall. I promise then you will be overwhelmed, and will not have fun. Expect crowds, lines. and crazy people. Go for what you want, not to browse the racks. People are determined to get things on Black Friday and I promise you, they will. Do not get in their way by being casual. It will not work.
3. Be nice.
Like I said before, people are crazy on Black Friday, but remember, staff at these stores have possibly been working since 6PM on Thanksgiving Day. They have been dealing with rude people all night and possibly missed Thanksgiving with their families. Being nice to the staff will get you a lot farther then being rude. Be patient with them, and always use your manners. I promise that they will be grateful.
4. Know the city you plan to shop in.
I'm from Buffalo, and we do not take Black Friday lightly... With that being said, I've been in San Diego on Black Friday and there was basically no one shopping. Mind you that they still had amazing deals, just no one cared to take advantage of them. All the stores around me usually open sometime Thanksgiving night. While I never go at this time, because I like to spend the holiday with my family, it does get busy. Usually I head out around 4AM, enough time to still get what I want and get the door buster deals, but miss all the crowds from Thanksgiving.
**Disclaimer: If there is a big ticket item that you are wanting, such as a TV or Laptop, check online before you go out. If it isn't available online, make sure you do go out Thanksgiving Day to make sure you get the item that you want!
5. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
I love the day because not only are you saving a ton of money and shopping, but also it is the day that sets the tone for the Christmas season. I spend the whole day shopping and laughing with my family, usually rolling into bed late in the afternoon. I promise, if you do it right, it will be a great time, that you will never forget.
