I go out shopping on Black Friday every year. I always get the deals that I want because I do some planning and have everything ready for that morning.
It all starts on Thursday, buying the huge Thanksgiving paper, full of all those glossy ads. While Thanksgiving dinner is cooking, I take my time looking through all the ads. Meanwhile, I start a list of items I would like to buy, sectioned by store, and I write the recipients name next to the gift, so I don't forget who I am buying for.
So my list will be by store, then items listed (with prices), and the name of the person I am going to give the item to.
Putting the names next to the items also allows me to make sure I am not spending too much on any 1 person, and that gift quantities are fairly even with the nieces & nephews.
I orgainize my list by which store I want to go to first, which is usually the one that opens earliest.
Here is an example of what my list might look like
Kohls (opens at 4am) Target (opens at 5am)
DVD player ($29.00) Jessica DVD's ($2.99) - Hubby, Daughter
Robe ($10.00) Sister Ipod Touch ($227) Daughter
GPS ($89.00) Gary
That is just an example, I have no idea what time the stores are opening, or what the price on those items might be.
Now here are some of the items that I am going to be scouring the adds for:
Vehicle GPS - like Garmin or TomTom, I would like to get one for both on my step-sons.
Dog beds - we always need new ones it seems
Ipod Touch - this is the big item my daughter wants this year
Toys for the Grandkids (hopefully in small boxes, as I have to ship everything - otherwise I might just order online & have the items shipped directly to them).
New Bedspread/Comforter - Not for Christmas, but just if I find a good deal
New Pillows - just need new ones
Wii games - for my nephew
Above all - be patient and be super nice to the people at the checkout lanes. They don't have a choice, they have to be there working. I always make sure I tell them they are doing such a great job!
I posted this last year. So I am reposting it, updated of course.
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Comments: 43
I'm glad you're organized because I never was. Not black friday shoppin this year though. :(
But, no super early specials, if they still have it between 9-10 then fine, if not I'll live. Surprisingly the stores around here did a lot of specials - starting around that time.
I can't drive at night and since it is still dark at 6 am, I guess I can't hit those that have only a few items between 6 and 8 unless I find a driver. Not likely, everyone I know prefers to sleep in the day after Thanksgiving.
We don't put names next to anything, because most of what we buy on Black Friday is for us. Like this year we are hoping to a get a DVD player that hooks up the back of the van seats for when we go on long car rides (we drive over 1100 miles each way at least once a year to see our family), but it won't be a present. We're also possibly getting a new computer monitor, and some clothes for all three of us. We aren't doing much as far as gifts, besides DVD's as fillers, and I thinkone toy for Elliott. Otherwise we are done. My little sister does my shopping for the nieces, and we just send her money, or buy something for Elliott from her, whichever she wants us to do. Shipping is just too expensive!
In the store, grab what I want & out! Just like a man~
have fun!
I do not get a chance to get to the stores early enough to get the "real deals" for black Friday...I try to get all of my Xmas shopping done from the week after Xmas 'til April 15th,......everybody's trying to get rid of most of their stock by then,...............
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