Photograph Credit: Flickr (Mills Apartments)
Before Paul and I had children, we could be found waiting in line at Best Buy at about 3 a.m. on Black Friday morning. We enjoyed mapping out our plan of attack and working together to gather our savings. Though I still enjoy the deep discounts found on Black Friday, I find spending time with my family more valuable than shopping.
As you know, shopping is not one of my hobbies. I shop to feed and clothe my family. With that said, I really love the deals and steals found on Black Friday and now Cyber Monday. What I do not love is the move to choke out Thanksgiving to make room for another shopping day. Though the stores are opening earlier and offering scattered discounts, our family will not be standing in the lines, protecting each other from the rush, or staying up all night for that big deal.
Though the initial shopping is NOT for children, Black Friday shopping can be a great family activity at about 10:00 a.m. By that time, the rush is over, the big ticket items will be gone, and the checkout process calm. Two years ago, our family ventured out to Wal-mart with our list in hand. Though the store had been open for 5 hours, we found every item on our list. Of course, we were looking for toys, games, clothing, and household items. The trip was successful without the mayhem.
Though I do not recommend taking children to the rush, Black Friday can be a fun family shopping activity. If you venture out, I hope you find those deep savings while using time wisely with your family! Enjoy your weekend!
Question: How early did you venture out on Black Friday? Please add your answer to the comments.