It’s Not All About the Turkey: Tips to Prep for Black Friday

Thanksgiving is almost here! This holiday, though, has morphed into a lot more than just turkey and cranberry sauce. It’s a day to get together with friends and family; watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade (my all time favorite!); watch some great football; and of course…Black Friday!

Weeks before this day arrives, Black Friday is splattered all over the newspapers and online. Everyone knows to beware or prepare for this particular Friday every year.

HISTORY OF BLACK FRIDAY

The holiday shopping season starts the day after Thanksgiving and has been this way since 1924 when Macy’s held its first Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. The last float in the parade is Santa Claus on his sleigh waving to the crowds as a reminder – Christmas is coming! Better start shopping for those gifts for your family and friends!

OK, so we know that the holiday shopping season as begun but how did the day after Thanksgiving get dubbed as “Black Friday”? Research shows that the term “Black Friday” was paired with this day back in the 1960’s as the kickoff of the holiday shopping season – when that particular day would bring record sales to the stores and help them back “into the black”.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR BLACK FRIDAY

I have friends that incorporate a family tradition around Black Friday. They enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends (a bit earlier in the day than customary) then take a nap to store as much energy as possible. Why, you may ask? They need to be on their A-game for the maddening crowds and waiting in lines for the stores to open, hoping to get those special gifts that are marked down just for this day.

When interviewed as to what else they do to prepare, I was told the following:

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Pack a folding chair in your car in case you have to wait in the long lines. You’ll be more comfortable sitting down. If you are in the colder climates, pack a blanket.
• Bring a book, tablet or anything else that can help pass time while waiting in line.
• Bring refreshments – the most popular being carafes of coffee. Also, fruit like bananas or apples or even a protein bar to sustain energy.
• Do your research – A lot of the big box stores display their advertisements way ahead of time, so check them to plot where you need to go to get the lowest prices for the items on your shopping list.
• Have fun – It’s not worth the aggravation of pushing and shoving and possibly bickering to get something on your list. ‘Tis the season – remember?

And don’t forget – Cyber Monday is the next day!

Are you going out for Black Friday?  If so, what are you shopping for?