By Katie White
Western Herald
Black Friday is a tradition amongst holiday shoppers. It turns the ordinary person into a cart crashing, deal searching fiend. In a harsh economy, it’s the one shopping day people look forward to and this year might get crazy.
From the years of experience I have, to be safe and smart, it’s important to make Black Friday like a mission. Get in and get out.
For my mom and I, it’s the one time of the year that we actually prepare to shop. When October rolls around, we’re in full holiday mode. Once that sacred Friday gets closer- the planning begins. We check the papers, my mom asks for mine and my brother’s Christmas lists (yes, I still make a list and have fun doing so!), we surf the Sunday paper for store ads and map out a game plan.
So, here are a few tips from a fairly seasoned veteran…
1. Pre-plan: It may seem strange to have a plan for a day of shopping, but honestly you’ll be surprised how handy it becomes. Map out the stores you want to hit because sitting in that traffic and going to stores at random will make you want to pull your hair out. Plan to hit stores directionally. You’ll thank me when you’re on the other side of the traffic jam! Research the deals online. There is an official Black Friday Web site that helps shoppers see the bargains and discounts at participating stores. Do this at least a week before.
2. Get rest, be up early: To get not only the deals but also the real B.F. experience, be up on time. Some stores open at 4 a.m., I don’t recommend getting going that early but definitely be on the road by 6 a.m. Have your Sunday paper store ads and lists. This day is all about being organized.
3. The Look: Morning shopping like this is not about beauty. So don’t worry if you aren’t even showered and are still bloated from Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone is in the same boat. Throw on a baseball cap, go in your sweats even. Who cares!
4. Have a partner: Shopping alone is good on every other day but this one. I highly recommend having someone to fight the crowds with you. They can help scope out other bargains and grab things for you. It’s an extra pair of eyes for parking spots and a placeholder in lines.
5. Take a break: It’s tradition for my mom and I to call a timeout after a certain amount of stores for breakfast. We have a particular restaurant that we always go to that day. Its nothing fancy, but its friendly and caters to the B.F. shopper. We sit and go over where we’ve been, what we’ve bought and what we still need to do.
6. Attitude: Deals expire, things sell out, parking lots are packed, and people can be cranky. So, its best to remember that this is an amplified day and emotions are running high. Brush things off and enjoy the start of the crazy, wonderful holiday season. Store employees will appreciate the flexible attitude because they’re more stressed out than you can imagine.
Despite what you hear about Black Friday and the people who get trampled and sleep outside waiting for the doors to open (which is all true), it really is the most worthwhile shopping experience.
Many people start and finish their holiday shopping that day, but for me, it’s what I look forward to because it’s what I share with my mom. Every year it changes a little bit. But one thing remains the same; our Black Friday planning always makes for the best stories during the Christmas season!
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