Surviving Black Friday Shopping

I have to be honest today.

As much as I am looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time, I am looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving even more. I love to frolic with the bargain-happy masses, participating in Black Friday shopping.

What is Black Friday? Let me enlighten you...

The day after Thanksgiving is usually a huge day for retailers, who bend over backwards to get customers in their doors so they can make a profit, or be "in the black." Some people love to shop on Black Friday to save money on Christmas gifts. My friend Kelly saves hundreds of dollars on that 4th Friday in November. While that's certainly a plus for me, I tend to fall into a state of complete and utter bliss when I survey Target's finest wares and hear the cheery Christmas tunes they pump out over the loudspeakers. I'm a sucker for commercialism, it seems.

Here are a few tips to get you through the day if shopping isn't your favorite thing and you're braving Black Friday out of necessity. If you're a shopaholic like me, who doesn't mind the crowds, then these ideas will be icing on the cake to help you get through the day.

Have a Game Plan-
I like to keep a printed list of "who to buy for" in my wallet during the Christmas season.

(More on setting this up on another day) This is especially helpful on Black Friday, so you aren't caught on the accessories aisle in Macy's wondering, "Didn't I already buy Aunt Mabel a green sweater?"

I was trained by some of the finest shoppers the retail world has ever seen, but the thrifty side of Christmas shopping sometimes eludes me. My friend Kelly is an expert, and advised me to keep an eye on sales and coupons the week of Thanksgiving. You can do this by browsing your local stores' circulars (buy the Thursday paper!), or check out sites like www.blackfriday.info or blackfriday.net.

By comparing circulars to the sites' listings of store sales, you can make a good effort to find things on your list for excellent prices. I found some of the best deals on holiday decor at Target last year, and I plan to hit Hobby Lobby too.

Not into big box stores? That's okay...Wal-Mart sometimes gives me hives too. The area I live in has a beautiful "Olde Towne," with cute little boutiques lining the main street. Local shops like these have to compete with the big guys, and they often offer a free gift with purchase or some other incentive for shopping there on Black Friday. At best, you'll come away with some distinctive finds. At worst, you'll miss the mad rush on Barbie Jeeps on aisle 15 at Toys 'R Us.

What Not to Wear-
I love to dress in my cutest ensemble when I leave the house sans children (skinny jeans, anyone?), but Black Friday is not the day to debut your fabulous yet painfully uncomfortable purple ruffled booties...unless you want to pop Motrin all day. That said, you don't have to look like your three year old stylist dressed you. Wear something you know you'll be confident and comfortable in. Nice jeans, a sweater coat, a cute pair of flats, and some statement jewelry will go a long way.

Bring Reinforcements-
The conquest is so much more fun with friends or family. I loved shopping with my sister-in-law the year before last. We laughed at the frantic people standing outside Target at 5:30 a.m. while we sat in the toasty car and planned our morning. That being said, some members of the family are best left at home, and by "some members" I mean husbands and children. Unless you plan on doing some shopping for the kids with your significant other, have mercy on him and let him stay home and watch football while the kids trash the living room.

Listening to my children beg for crackers and Barbies and trying to keep them contained in a cart or stroller isn't really my thing, but if you're up for it don't say I didn't warn you. (This year, I plan on hitting a few stores before the rest of the family wakes up, and I may be forced to head back out with one or more children in tow if T won't sign on for kid duty. This could be disaster.)

(FYI, the blonde in the stroller is Natalie at age 2 1/2...I know what I'm talking about!)

Fuel Up-

Black Friday shopping is an excellent excuse to indulge in some Starbucks (may I suggest the Peppermint Mocha?) or a lunch out somewhere that does not have a playland outside the dining area. If stopping for coffee is not in the budget, bring a travel mug with a snack or two in your bag. Just be sure to keep your energy up so you don't pass out in the check-out lines. Speaking of check out lines...

Strategy-

You can be more efficient at check-out if one person stands in the never-ending line reading the latest issue of People and the other scans the shop for any last minute purchases. Take turns so nobody gets bored. Another time saver? Instead of driving aimlessly around town, fighting traffic, plan ahead of time which stores you'd like to visit. If your shopping list contains "must-purchase" gifts, you may want to decide ahead of time which stores to hunt in for those specific items. If you're familiar with the area, try to steer clear of heavily traveled roads and take short cuts!

With a little bit of planning, you can survive Black Friday Shopping, and maybe even enjoy yourself. (You can see how I did last year!) I'll wave if I see you sampling lotions in Bath and Body Works!

{Are you a Black Friday shopper? If not, do you do something special with the family that day?}


*This post was originally shared as a guest post over at Centsational Girl last Fall. I am so grateful to Kate for giving me my first shot at guest posting!*

*Thanks to today's Sponsor, Crafty Girls Workshop.