The time has almost arrived in which people who actually have a rare day off from work will intentionally set their alarms to wake them up after just a few hours of sleep so that they can get frost bite while waiting for a person with a key to open the door and let them into a place that will take a large portion of their money. They will then willingly allow themselves to be pushed around by crowds of hundreds in order to take advantage of a near impossible chance at an item in which there are only a dozen in stock.
Can I pause a moment to say that I would never want to be the person with the key? Actually, maybe it would be just a little bit fun. I could go stand for a few minutes before opening time and dangle the key at the crowd and wave innocently (while I stood there holding my steaming mug of hot cocoa) and act like I have no idea why they are standing there. Yes…that would be just a tiny bit fun.
I’ve actually participated in the Black Friday event…once. It was back when my kids were all little bitty and I didn’t have a chance to get out much all by myself. The only possibility seemed to be shopping in the wee hours of the morning on the Friday after Thanksgiving and so I planned it…I even looked forward to the outing. When I got to the store and saw that there were hundreds of people in line out in the cold, I just sat in my van (with my heater on) watching them shiver. Already I was questioning my sanity. At just before opening time I decided to join the party at the door, which basically means that they stood in the cold for an hour and I stood there for two minutes and we all got let in at the same time.
I headed directly to the kitchen department for the items I was planning to pick up at their amazing $5 price and realized right away that these items were not even worth $5 as they seemed to be made of tissue paper and rubber bands. I did enjoy shopping all by myself without my kids…but could I have done that after a few more hours of sleep? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I could have.
Since then I’ve been a Black Friday shopping rebel. I stay home and sleep. I shop online later in the day in my slippers (with my steaming cup of hot cocoa). I like it.
And yet this year I feel myself being pulled over to the dark side (literally…because it’s dark at 4 am you know?). Some friends of mine are making the idea of shopping early on Friday morning awfully appealing and fun. We could all go together and shucks, I could almost be home and cooking breakfast before my family even knew I was gone.
What’s a girl to do?
I may actually join the crowds this year.
Do you think I could just bring my hot cocoa with me?
What do you do? Are you a early morning Black Friday shopper? Or do you stay home and sleep in your warm bed?
MamaHen says
I stay home! Although going with a group of friends might be fun. It would be so much better than going alone.
Lindsy says
My mother, sister and I LOVE Black Friday shopping. We’ve been doing it for a few years now, and it’s so much fun. We rarely arrive at the stores before they open (so no standing out in the cold) and there are times that we don’t even purchase any of the “super deals” that are offered. We honestly go just to watch all of the people go crazy over tissue paper and rubber bands ;) One of my favorite parts is putting together a “snack pack” with coffee, hot cocoa, popcorn, muffins, and other goodies to munch on in the car between stops. And of course the conversation and girl time with my mom and sister is more precious than an extra few hours of sleep! :)
Hunie says
This sounds like fun!
Amy says
This is what I enjoy about Black Friday as well!
Vanderbilt Wife says
I love to go Black Friday shopping. I rarely buy much–I’m usually done shopping before Thanksgiving–but I like the atmosphere and girly bonding.
As I am going to be 36 weeks pregnant on Black Friday, though, that’s a big fat NO for me this year! I can barely walk around Wal-Mart without needing a nap.
Danielle B says
You couldn’t pay me enough money to go into Walmart VOLUNTARILY!
jessica says
Yes stay home. I was 39 weeks when I went out and my water broke in Sears. My friend took me to the hospital, called my husband who was still in bed and my daughter was born 6 hrs. later. She will be 9 on Tuesday and thinks its funny to here the story
Courtney says
Hmm.. I wasn’t going to do Black Friday this year because I’ll be 39wks. If shopping gets this babe out I just may give it a go!! I’ll be sure to carry a bottle of water to dump on the floor in the event that I need to cover up a mess. ;)
Danielle B says
Nope, you won’t catch me out w/those people! So many of them are crazy! Pushing and shoving, just go get a $200 deal on a laptop!!
Marla says
I LOVE Black Friday! I usually go with my husband or MIL. We usually do most of our shopping that day. Around here there isn’t any pushing and shoving. Some people do wait out in the cold, but not me. I think it’s a blast. This year however my husbands business has slowed down so much that we can barely pay the bills, let alone Christmas shop. So no Black Friday for me. :(
Thea says
My husband and I have done the Black Friday thing, but this year we’re opting out of it. We’ve really been talking about the materialism in our lives. Sometimes I wonder if Thanksgiving will no longer be a holiday, instead we’ll celebrate Black Friday. I mean already there are some stores in our city that are opening at 7pm Thanksgiving Day. We’re hoping to make this Thanksgiving/Christmas season a little more about why we celebrate, instead of the buying/giving/getting aspect that commercialism has created. We’ve just finished reading Little House on the Prairie to the kids, and have a hard time imagining being Thankful for a piece of stick candy. But they were in awe, and thrilled.
Kellie says
I don’t like crowds, so if I need to go out, I wait until late afternoon. I do get a little upsethat Thanksgiving seems to be disappearing into a shopping day with stores starting sales on Thursday. I love Little House on the Prairie for putting things into perspective for us!
Hunie says
I like your line of thinking!
Jennifer says
If you have a group of girlfriends to go with, do it! Sounds like fun! (I, however, will be enjoying the warmth and comfort of my bed.)
katherine says
i’m not going, but we have two littles and will be celebrating thanksgiving with my husband’s family on friday. however, i think YOU should go AND take your hot cocoa :) if you pack a thermos for your friends, they might just love you even more!!
Rebecca says
Your comment about being the person with the key made me laugh out loud!
I used to do the Black Friday thing with my mom. We would arrive just as the stores opened. We usually bought necessities (like pajamas and sewing supplies) that were on sale. We never bothered with the toys, computers, and big-ticket items. Then we would go out to breakfast together. It was much more about the relationship than the shopping. She works at a bank in a different state now. So, while we will be visiting, we won’t be able to go shopping this year. Honestly though, if she was off, we would probably avoid the crowds and go hiking with the family instead :0)
Enjoy the journey, whatever you decide.
Jodi says
I’ve never done it and don’t plan to. I shop early enough that the majority of my shopping is done by then. Most of the sales go on all day (I know there are some for the first xx number of people, etc.) so if there’s anything I might want, I’ll go mid-morning when all the crazies are pooped out and going through caffeine withdrawal so they go home.
Dianna says
I LOVE Black Friday! But what I love is going shopping with my best friend at ridiculous hours and just having a blast with her without our children. That’s what it is about for us….not the pushing and shoving to get the “one” item everyone needs.
We just go to have a blast not be crazy. We laugh alot, have yummy treats and have a great time.
jessica says
No shopping for me this year on black friday. I went for many years and braved the crowds and the cold. Now I try to be done shopping before Thanksgiving.
Susan says
I never go out on Black Friday. For one I used to work in retail and worked too many Black Fridays. Second,I find that looking for deals throughout the year I can get my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving.
Susan
Jennifer says
I haven’t been shopping on Black Friday since I stopped working at Walmart 12 years ago. Working there did me in. I enjoy a cup {or two} of coffee while I shop online.
DorthyM says
Laura, first I gotta say I love that little mischievous streak in you – wanting to dangle the key at the crowd, LOL!
I love black Friday shopping, yes I am certifiably insane. I don’t always get to do it because of having only one car and my husband has a schedule that doesn’t always mesh with shopping. The last time I went we lived in Texas and my mother went straight to the mall so we could get a free ornament from one of the stores –then turned around and went shopping elsewhere. Although I like shopping, I don’t always buy much during that time, just like to get out. It would be much more fun with friends.
Katherine says
I LOVE Black Friday shopping even though I don’t go much anymore. Never bought much – just enjoyed getting out early with the crowds and festive atmosphere and smiley faces. Always quit between 9-10 am and met friends for a late breakfast. Sooo fun. Never went anywere near Walmart or a toy store though – that would have been a nightmare. 2 of my favorite memories are going to the department store with my grandmother at 7am (the opening time 25 years ago) and buying a winter coat then going home to eat breakfast. Then a few years ago, my husband and I drove to the outlets for Thursday night midnight shopping because Jos A Banks had khaki pants for $15. We bought every pair in his size! It was sooo fun but I will NEVER do midnight shopping again. Nowadays I prefer to stay home and make gifts and plan goodies.
Christy says
Go, but choose wisely where to go. I avoid Walmart at all costs (ditto for Toys R’ Us) and head for some of the less common stores (ie. craft, grocery, drug). These places can have some great deals as well, and the crowds can be considerably less. Make it a sport and then it is fun even if you don’t get that great deal!
Erin says
I have had luck at both the drug store and hardware store. GOOD deals on PRACTICAL things with LESS people!
Emily says
I have been “on the other side” and that is enough to convince me to stay away! I worked it last year at a large department store and was shocked at the rudeness of many people, all for one or two lousy, cheap, materialistic items. No thanks, I will stay warm at home. :)
My husband and I focus on the *real meaning* of Christmas and are working hard to not be materialistic. We don’t need more plastic STUFF!
Michelle M. says
I say GO FOR IT!!! Even if it is to just hang out with your friends and have girl time. My husband and I go and really enjoy ourselves. Most of the time our shopping is pretty much done, however, it really brings in the holiday season for us. Of course, we are both half dead later that night about 7 but it sure is fun!!
Rhonda says
Last year on Black Friday I got a years worth of bridal and baby shower gifts!! It is a lot of fun when I can go with my daughters. I have to get up for work anyway so getting up an hour earlier isn’t a big deal. Taking hot cocoa is a good idea!
Jean says
I love it. I love to go with a girlfriend and share a cart. One of us runs down an aisle for tissue paper and rubber bands while the other waits. So fun!
Camille says
I find it amusing that people either LOVE or HATE Black Friday! ;-) I go with my mom and sister. I keep my eye out for items I’ve been looking for and if the price is low enough I go get it. It is kind of annoying to stand in line to check out for 30 minutes for ONE item. :-) But I’m a shopper so it’s fun for me.
Erin says
We have done BF two years and got SLAMMING deals. Now this year it will be a no go as I am saving every spare penny for my trip to Mexico right after Thanksgiving, but golly do I wish I could. I LOVE it too. Yea its crazy and hectic and down right hilarious at times. But money does not allow this year…I sure hope for next year though. Who knows, maybe next year my website will be the one with slamming deals.
gymbocraze.weebly.com
Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says
I’m not a morning person and I’m pretty anti-consumer but my husband and I may go out of town later in the day (when everyone else has gone back home and is asleep again haha). We don’t get because it’s Black Friday but because it’s the end of his vacation.
BTW I’m having a Green Holiday Blog Carnival that I thought you may want to know about. Here is the info-
http://www.retrohousewifegoesgreen.com/2010/11/green-holiday-blog-carnival.html
amy@twobgardening says
I did the “early bird” black friday thing once, never again. Unless you are buying a big t.v. or computer, where your saving $200, then it’s worth it. Most of those $5 kitchen mixers are still there at noon and you get them for the same price. I’m with you Laura, they are not worth it anyway. I’m waiting for cyber monday. Hopefully there will be good deals online. Happy hunting!!
Jessica says
I use to work at a popular clothing store and I had to work on Black Friday. It was awful.
I had to leave my family on Thanksgiving to be there at midnight. We had to park what felt like a mile away because costumers already took all the parking spaces. People were incredibly rude and left huge messes. I was pushed quite a bit and yelled at. They’d even try to haggle with me if they felt the mark down percentage was good enough, as if I had any control over the prices. It was appalling to see people fight over a sweater when you know 6 hours before they were “Giving Thanks.”
I just hope that everyone who does go out remembers that all those people who work there are doing you a favor by coming in and marking down there prices and they would rather be home with there families or shopping themselves, so don’t be mean to them.
Mary says
Two words come to mind…. NO THANKS! I mean that figuratively and literally….the one time I did go out on Black Friday I felt sickened by the materialism, the rudeness and ugly attitudes of people who were buying gifts to “celebrate the birth of our Savior”. It could be fun with friends, but I would still opt for slippers and hot cocoa. : )
Casey says
I *just* commented on another blog about this very thing. I have never been to a Black Friday sale in my entire life. I can’t bring myself to get up that early just to fight with other people for an item in a store. I’ve heard the horror stories about it and I’ll just stick to sleeping in the day after Thanksgiving. :)
Susan says
No way. I stay home, sleep in and have a nice piece of pumpkin pie with tea for my breakfast. :)
Barbara says
I don’t do BF – I like to sleep in, then make a pie for our annual Pie Party! We usually have anywhere from 25 – 40 people that afternoon. Every family brings a pie (or 2) and we have fun playing games, fellowshipping, etc. Most of the crowd usually stays through dinner time, so we just order pizzas and have more fun. Much better than shivering and shoving at 4am!
Kris Mays says
I always said “no way!” But the lat few years, I’ve found myself going alone. I don’t get out alone, much, and there seems to always be SOMETHING that is too good a deal to pass up. We’ll see this year. I’d rather cyber shop any day.
Megan says
I sometimes shop on that day, but NEVER THAT EARLY! I plan to complete my shopping the day before Thanksgiving this year, as opposed to the day after. That day is reserved for going to a football game!
Denise says
My daughter, her friend, my friend and I all have a tradition to go shopping on Black Friday. We don’t get up early and still get good deals. We have our routine that we do every year which includes eating out at our favorite restaurant. We never allow ourselves to be rushed so we have a great time.
Ann says
The last time I went my son wanted to go because they had a toy he wanted and he had the money. So we went. And they didn’t have anymore of that toy by the time we got there. My son vowed never to go shopping on black friday again and we haven’t. The time before that I went to get a good deal on a digital camera. But that’s before it all got so crazy. That several years ago. This year, we will stay home once again. I order all my son’s gifts online, and for everyone else I make them something.
Step says
These days I stay home, but I’ve been part of the black Friday frenzy in years past. We used to travel to my sister’s in NY every Thanksgiving and then the ladies would all go out shopping on Friday. The hustle and bustle was actually quite enjoyable and festive. I think it was more the company that I enjoyed. Plus, 10-15 years ago it seemed that black Friday wasn’t quite the ordeal that it is now. I want no part of rude people clammoring for a deal, or worse, getting hurt. Yep, I love to sleep in on Friday and do my shopping online.
Charlotte Moore says
Not me!!!! I will be snoozing in the warm!!! Some of those people are crazy!!!
Jennifer says
I really like shopping on black friday. I used to go to the mall, but now I don’t really want anything at the mall, so I usually just go to Joann’s and Michael’s to take advantage of their deals for presents I make for people. I don’t go at 3am or wait for the store to open or anything, for me it is just a normal day of shopping that happens to have some good deals.
Although, I know from working retail, the day/week after Christmas sales are much better than black friday deals. They just aren’t played up as much :-)
Anitra says
It’s a family tradition for my husband; I started doing it with him the year after his dad died – at first, just to keep him company. But now, we usually do it with another couple, picking out one or two items at each of 3-5 stores that we REALLY want to get (and planning like a war game for which store opens when and getting there at o-dark-thirty in the morning to stand in line). It’s an adrenaline rush, and it’s a fun time spent socializing with friends who now live across the country and only come to town for Thanksgiving week.
I’m not actually sure if I’m going to do the whole experience this year, as I am 34 weeks pregnant and we have a toddler at home – I think the lack of sleep would wipe me out for too many days. So, I will probably be meeting up with my husband and friends _slightly_ later to bring them coffee and treats and examine the haul. :)
You couldn’t pay me enough to set foot inside Toys R Us on Black Friday, though. Even later in the morning, the lines are enormous and the other shoppers are incredibly rude.
Dakota says
My husband and I went out a couple of years ago just to see what it was like. It was fun spending the morning with him, and we did get some great deals on Christmas presents. However, there are some stores I avoid like the plague on Black Friday (Walmart, Toy R Us, Best Buy, and Kohl’s) No matter the time of day, lines seem to wrap halfway around the store. Usually though, it seems I can get just as good of a deal or better online.
Mkcoehoorn says
We are not Black Friday shoppers. But my laptop is acting up. So we are debating the merits of getting up early and making the hour long drive from my aunt’s house in to Searcy to get a new computer at Staples on Friday.
Lois says
If you dangled the store key in front of BF shoppers, Laura, they would 1) think it’s NOT funny and 2) trample you to death. Black Fri. shoppers are mean, rude, servile, and obsequious, and I deliberately avoid any shopping between Thanksgiving and New Years. Unfortunately, I usually have to restock the fridge occasionally, and I ABHOR (hate is too mild) grocery stores during that time. People terrorize others with their shopping carts. No indeed, I am a perfect Scrooge. I put on Handel’s Messiah, sip my cider, and address Christmas cards.
Karena says
Hilariously enough, my HUSBAND, DAD and BROTHER get up at 4:30 EVERY SINGLE YEAR to go to the sales! They come back with the FUNNIEST stories that are told every year and then they eat breakfast out in style. They have a blast and really look forward to being together. :) I stay tucked in my bed because for crying out loud the sun isn’t even up yet in Minnesota until 7!!
Tammy says
Black Friday shopping has become a tradition for my husband and me. Little man spends the night with his Nana, and my “wild” hubby and I get up at 3:30am to hit the stores! LOL We don’t get caught up in the madness. We just take our time and laugh at all the chaos. If we see something we like – great. If we find absolutely nothing we want, that’s just fine too. Afterwards, we always eat out for breakfast and laugh about everything we just saw. I truly enjoy those wild Black Fridays with my husband – we make good memories. :)