I haven’t ever done Black Friday either. But I hear the best way to go about it is to plan. Scope the adds and then make a game plan!

Your best bet is to have a plan of attack. Know what you’re buying and for who and really scout out where the good sales are going to be. It takes a lot of work but you need to be up and out earrrrly in order to get the good deals! Good luck!

oh my goodness, I love James!

I’m not much of a shopper and have never done Black Friday either, so I look forward to reading other’s responses 🙂 The whole things kind of overwhelms me, but I’m not much of a shopper to begin with 🙂

Scope the ads that come in the newspaper on Thanksgiving and rank what you want the most. If it’s a big ticket item, you’ll probably only be able to pick one! bfads.net has most of the ads up already so you can get a jump.

I may be insane but I LOVE everything about Black Friday! The stores are crazy and there’s a ton of people but it’s so fun!

I’m staying as far away from any mall as possible on Friday. I’ll be at my parents’ house, and they live in the boonies 🙂

it is crazy! i did it one year – stayed up and went to the outlets at midnight and then waited in line a target in the freezing cold at 4am. this experience was fun and i’m glad i did it (got an great flat screen tv!). but once was enough.

whatever you do, don’t take time to leisurely look around first. if you are buying electronics, have a plan. you have to run – this is competitive shopping. 🙂

I make a loose plan of what I wanted to buy everyone on my list so that I don’t go crazy and buy things I don’t need. Then I look through all the ads and see where I can get the best deals on the most things on my list (If you’re getting a lot of stuff at one place it makes standing in line for more than an hour to check out much more bearable). That’s the store I’ll start at (This year its Target for me). Then from there I go to other stores that are in close proximity and that I know have things I need.

Don’t be afraid to just turn around and walk out! I went to Old Navy one year and just wanted to get a fleece that was on sale for my mom. The line was sooooo long that I decided that my time was more valuable than the $5 more I’d pay for it the next week.

Also, if a big ticket item (like a GPS) is “gone” in the morning, and its not out of your way, check back in the afternoon. I did that last year and the store was less crazy then and a nice worker went in the back to check if they had more for me and wheeled out a cart full of them! When things were so crazy in the morning no one had time to go in the back and restock the shelf.

You’ll have so much fun!!! I love it 🙂

It is madness, but it can be fun… especially if there’s something special you want to get like crazy doorbuster specials on electronics, cameras, etc. In that case, nap from 9pm to 1am. Then, out the door by 2am. Shop. Then, to breakfast. Then, home and napping again by noon.

I’ve done it a few times (though not this year). Research the best deals in advance, either online or in the paper ads on Thanksgiving, and make a schedule. My dad still does this. He may or may not have a problem.

I avoid Black Friday, but I lovvvve Cyber Monday. No crowds, and I still get great deals!

I used to love getting up early to go shop because I love shopping in general. We’d spend Turkey Day perusing the ads in the paper, deciding where to go first and what we were getting. There was one year I waited FOREVER in line at Best Buy while clutching an XBox and a copy of Halo 2 because their computers kept crashing…and we all know that Best Buy isn’t the fastest place to checkout on a good day.

This year I don’t feel the usual anxiety to run out and score some deals. I might avoid the malls altogether unless my mom wants me to meet her after her shift at the store. It’s too hard to shop for anyone anymore because we tend to buy stuff for ourselves all the time. I’ve come to a place in my life where I’d just rather spend time with family than worry about buying gifts. If anything, I’m going to get small foodie gifts for my immediate family that will be from local sources like wine, cheese, or a gift card for some awesome Jeni’s ice cream!

I’m not a shopper but find liken Black Friday to a competition. I may not stand outside in the cold at 3, but I will set my alarm for 6 and scope out the smaller stores that have a million locations (Radio Shack) and hope for the best. I also sneak a peek at the Black Friday websites. http://www.blackfriday2010.com/ is a good one to see all of the deals beforehand. I hope to pick up a Nook for my mom being that I’m going to a small town to spend the holiday. Wish me luck. I look forward to reading about your experience.

Planning is key like everyone mentioned! My aunt and I usually go out around 9 and score the deals then, but I’m not spedning t-day with her this year. Instead, I will probably go to the local furniture store and score the chair I’ve had my eye on – its going to be 58% off. First 50 people in store get a $50 gift card and I have no idea if people will be lining up for this or not.

LOVE black Friday! My family’s plan is like this: go through the ads on Thanksgiving (this actually becomes a fun holiday tradition) circle the great deals that you really want. BF morning, get to the store at the very least 30 minutes before opening. If there are multiple stores close to each other, split up. If the store has maps showing where the big ticket items are, grab one and plan your route! After I get my main items, I will usually check out the books, music, dads (last year I bought seasons of gossip girl and gilmore girls at target for $7 each). Just remember to give yourself a budget for items like these!! Also, if you are near an outlet center that opens at midnight, don’t go until after your other shopping. I learned that the one near me is dead around 7 or 8 AM and the sales are just as good as the midnight ones!

Just remember to have fun with it and good luck!

You definitely should have a plan if you are going for specific big-ticket electronic items. I went once to Target for a TV, but didn’t get there early enough.

avoid the crazy 3 am stuff. it’s no fun.
but honestly it can be fun. know you’ll walk a bajillion miles from your car to the store entrance, know the lines will be long, and just find things to laugh about. get some coffee, have a plan, and smile about it.
there’s a store here that does half priced socks as a doorbuster. my family goes EVERY year, and it’s a tradition. i know people like to complain about the crowds but seriously, shopping with my brothers at 7 am finding each other terrible ugly socks? it’s fun.

I’m Canadian, but I live practically on top of the border, so I went down to Seattle for Black Friday a few years ago. We left at like 4am and hit Fred Meyer first, then the malls. It was insane. You’re probably best off making a list, I wound up spending WAY too much!

Someone may have mentioned it, but you should check out this post: http://www.loveyoudeer.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-black-friday/328

Miranda did the guest post and she seems to have this Black Friday shopping thing down pat!

I spent thanksgiving with my mum’s brother and his family 2 years ago -and my godson – and we didn’t have a clue about Black Friday. But we knew about it when we left the states!
We actually didn’t hit up the stores until about 11am and still scored some pretty good deals (especially when compared to things here)
Electrical items from the states do not work in Ireland so we kept away from them but I stocked up on so much cold weather running gear – I still have it!
If you are clothes shopping make sure that you
-wear comfy slip on shoes – makes trying on easier
– don’t wear lots of layers – a base layer and easy on trousers- I find jeans are a no no
– wear your good underwear – if you are trying on an outfit for something particular you don’t want to have to haul it home, try it on with good underwear and then find that it doesn’t suit
– don’t buy something in a sale that you wouldn’t buy full price. I need to heed this a little more myself.

Right on that note, I am off to petition for a thanksgiving in Ireland! Bring it on!
Happy Shopping!

never done it… but i have heard that staying up and buying online in the wee hours of friday can be a good way to go. sure you might have to pay shipping, but you don’t have to wait in line all day…

I have never gone shopping on Black Friday. From what I’ve heard from friends who have gone, it’s mostly just about hyping it all up, not really saving too much. And then most of the sales continue for a few days anyway. Good luck with whatever you decided and happy shopping!

I loved shopping with my Mom on Black Fridays. We went early 7 a.m. ish with no ads or any big ticket items that are popular, and just bought what we wanted (usually had a small list of gift ideas for friends/family). We usually stuck to the mall, and it was not bad at all. So have fun, don’t stress!

Um…online? I basically cannot shop between Thanksgiving and Christmas because it is way too crowded. Last year, I did the online Victoria’s Secret Black Friday Sale for all my friends. It was great and cheap!

Good luck!

blackfriday.info great website has all the adscans for you. If you go be prepared to not get everything that you want as some of the deals only hafe 4-6 in stock per store.(electronics mainly). Have fun

I go most years just to see the crazy crowds. I don’t know, it’s fun for me. Plus, I like bundling up and having coffee at the wee hrs (6am for me). Some go out at 4 or so. I say, be sure to have a list and prioritize which stores to go to first by which item you want to buy most. And electronics will go fast!

Normally, I would just go with an idea of what I wanted to find, maybe a few stores in mind. However, last year I was home with a baby while my husband was deployed so you know what I did? Black Friday shopped from home! A lot of stores have all the same sales online. Like JCPenney does the same sales, but you still have to be up in the morning to get them! It’s pretty cool because at least then you don’t have to get out of your jammies and then everything is just delivered to your door!

Happy shopping!
xx

Caitlin, I don’t know if someone else has already mentioned this, but you MUST check out dealnews.com. They keep track of all of the Black Friday deals, whether in-store or online. It’s a one-stop reference for all of your needs!

I shopped once black friday. It was insane. I didn’t have a plan and I ended up not get really getting anythign because i didn’t see anything I liked. The target in my town was wrapped around twice and all of the parking spots were taken. Everyone wanted a TV and I ended up having to follow people out of the store to there cars so I could get there spots (Crazy huh?)

I don’t shop on black Friday; I hate hate hate malls and crowds and shopping in general. The past couple of years, I’ve made Christmas presents, which I like better anyway; last year, I painted glass ornaments and this year, I’m doing something really simple because I just started grad school and don’t have as much time. I’m baking my friends’ and family members’ favorite cookies. SO much easier to just walk to the grocery store!

Oh man, are you in for a treat! My mom and I have been doing this for years – it is actually tradition. The first thing you do is make a list of who you need to buy for.. then Thanksgiving day, while you are waiting around for the turkey to cook or whatever, you go get a newspaper. The newspaper contains black friday ads, look through the newspaper and see everything you want to buy. Then.. the next morning.. still full and hungover.. you wake up at 2am.. leave the house by 2:20am.. drive to your first stop.. wait in line. When the doors finally open (this is KEY to getting what you want) have the husband RUN to the item you want (tv, ipod.. etc etc) while you get the cart.. works everytime. Also, remember patience is a virtue and people are crazy and it is SO MUCH FUN if you can just be on of those “crazies” for the dat. Trust me.

We make a list first and then check out the ads on Tgiving. Then we plan our route. And of course the budget! Happy shopping!

DON’T GO (!) unless you have something in mind that you wanted to score a good deal on! The sales are usually not worth it, it’s mostly hype about a few big budget items like TVs or cameras and the rest are ehh.

I’ve done Black Friday a few times before but I don’t think stores can afford to have low prices or deals like they used to anymore! It sounds fun but it is not worth the stress!

Buy a newspaper!!! Yes, you can see all of the ads online but it is different when you can actually flip through each ad for stores that are actually in your area.

I’ve been going Black Friday shopping since I was a little girl. My mom would bundle up my sister and I and send us after items while she tracked down others! One of my favorite memories!

Even now, my mom and I go every Friday after Thanksgiving. It is tradition so I think we will always go but I will say the sales and specials aren’t what they used to be! Definitely don’t go without a plan. We make a list and ONLY go after things we know we will buy. (not a good time to try things on) We start with whatever store opens first and then make the rounds. We will grab breakfast while we are out and once we have gotten everything on the list then we decide if we want to keep shopping at a more leisurely pace.

Sooo:
Don’t go unless you see something in an ad that you want to get.
Make a list/plan
Stick to the list/plan!

Happy Shopping!

Grab a copy of Thursday’s newspaper. It will have allll the Black Friday ads. Then you can check out what stores are having what sales and figure out where you need to go first, second, etc. Don’t wander aimlessly or you won’t get anything accomplished with the crowds.

Caitlin, I’d wear my best running shoes, comfortable clothes, and bring your own coffee. And have a game plan because whatever you need to find the most is get to those first. And don’t feel tempted to buy something just because it’s on sale. You’d find yourself already having it or you just don’t need it everyday kind of thing. Be careful and park a long distance because it’s chaotic in the parking lot and the excerise is good, too! hehe! Be safe on Friday!!!

I’ve never done Black Friday but several of my friends would go at night to be at the front of the line and just wait until stores open.

Ok, non-US citizen here, so no help with the Black Friday strategy. Just wanted to say that those kiddy pic are so cute!!

JUST SAY NO to the Black Friday shopping. The idea of waking that early, dealing with massive crowds, impatiently waiting in long lines, ugh! So many places offer really good deals throughout the holiday season, it is just not worth it to me. I DO, however, love me some “Cyber Monday” online deal shopping. 🙂

If you insist, though, at least go with a mental list of the items you are looking for to make things more efficient and less overwhelming. Also, look on stores’ Web sites ahead of time to see if there are super amazing deals on what you want or just a decent sale they’ll be offering again in a week or two.

I’ve never really done black friday either. I think you can go to websites though and see what the sales are going to be and then plan that way. I might go to the mall to get a few things, but not right at the open.

No idea…the concept of going to the mall and risk getting stampeded by some scary people who have been waiting outside chanting “open, open, open” as they wait for the sales to begin actually sort of terrifies me!

I’m all for the deals…but too much of a wuss to try! Good luck!

All that aside, James is adorable! 🙂

Price match! Both Target and Wal-Mart will price match any item they have in stock that’s at a different store, as long as you have the ad from the store (with their price) and as long as it’s at the same time as the other store’s sale. Super-easy, and makes for one-stop shopping.

I also pick up a ton of doorbuster toys to donate at Toys for Toys, etc.

First of all, your husband looks EXACTLY THE SAME AS HE DID in that picture. So adorable.

#2- I think Black Friday is dumb. I get some good deals online this week and on Friday, but I never actually go out at 3 am. And don’t plan to start this year. I’m doing event gifts this year- taking people places to spend time with them rather than gifts. It may save a little bit of money and it will save me hours in the mall so I can actually spend time with the people!

Haha, this is a little late, but… I don’t do Black Friday. This year I actually have to work (kinda hoping the roads are crap, lol!), but… our store doesn’t get that much traffic unless we have specific sales/deals, like last week.
My sister is apparently going this year with some church people, and I think she’s insane. My mom went out last year just to see what was up around town, and the parking lots were full at 6 AM. Lines were SUPER long. One year we were coming home from family stuff on Thanksgiving day and there were already people lined up at Best Buy–at 7 PM! Yeah, no thank you.
Our youth pastor and a kid from church (with whom my sister is going) went to Wal-mart last year and brought board games. They grabbed what they wanted and waited in line for five hours while playing games and talking to people.
As far as gift-giving, I don’t buy anything that’s that expensive. The only thing I can remember my parents getting around BF is our TV. I buy stuff that costs like less than $50. This year I got my dad one of those Allied Steel medal hangers you featured. Cost me $40. Hoping it’s the most expensive thing I get anybody this year.

Black Friday is really an art.

This inspired a post over on my blog: How To: Black Friday http://bit.ly/fQysSH

I’m excited to read about your Black Friday experience! I find it crazy that people actually go shopping in the middle of the night! I don’t think we have anything comparable in Canada…

There is no such thing as black Friday in Canada 🙂 I wish!