With all the commotion over black friday I thought I would share my thoughts on this retail holiday. Let me start by letting you know what my family does. Everyone makes a game plan before the big day, stakes out their store and has a list from a variety of family members what they need to get. They get to said stores at oh dark o'clock and proceeds to shop. There is a theme with matching outfits that change yearly and after the first barrage everyone changes into the costume. The year I went we were the Black Friday Bandits. We had those eye masks, black gloves, and black sweatshirts that said "Black Friday Bandits and We're here for the steals!". Yes, to answer your questions tourists do take pictures, lol. Then around 8-9am ish everyone (who is going) gathers together to take the train downtown. They shop, eat and bond until well after dark. They are truly the greatest shopping ninjas I know. While I like the bonding aspect of it, I am just too old and lazy to fully enjoy the experience.
Now that being said, personally I don't believe MOST of the black friday deals are really deals. Don't get me wrong there are some deals to be had, but most of it is the retailers counting on the hype of the day to convince people to shop now. When my son was young I would shop year round, as he got older I got out of that, but now that he is an icky teen I have been doing it again. Let me tell you, shopping that way I have scored better deals than if I went crazy on black friday and after.
Using the giftcards/cash I earned online I have managed to get 95% of my Christmas shopping (my step dad, mom who wants a kindle 3g, son, brother, aunt and uncle,grandmother, cousin and friends), but I also took care of my sons birthday, and got my grandmother a all in one wireless printer for her birthday. Keep in mind, there were a few I just want that purchases as well (My $25 an ounce organic green tea matcha powder). I have gotten some excellent things too. For Christmas my son will be getting an Ipod speaker docking thing, an remote control erector set that you can plug the ipod up to, itunes gift cards, books, xbox 360 games, wii games, sudoko clothes etc. I shopped sales year round used coupons and coupon codes and I am so happy with the result.
Don't get me wrong I will be at Walgreens and CVS black friday, but from the ads I have seen there is nothing that craptacular out there on the retail circut. I am so happy I wont be dealing with crowds of rude people, or being disappointed by missed doorbusters. I will miss the bonding with my family, being downtown and Garretts Popcorn (Chicago mix cheese and caramel) family style dinners, my cousin arguing with the weird man outside of old navy or Macy's.
Now is a perfect time to start doing things to earn for next year! Believe me, you wallet will thank you for it by being full this time next year.
Where are you at in your holiday shopping? What black friday traditions does your family have?
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