firegirl719

This year is tough. I really have no idea what I want to get everyone. So far, the hubby is getting a FitBit. Not sure about my 10 (soon to be 11YO son). He hasn't mentioned too many things. I have a baby on the way, so I'll be on the lookout for baby items that we need, since I gave everything up years ago thinking we were done. ha ha! As for the rest of the fam, probably just gift cards. Those are pretty versatile and you can't really go wrong with a gift card.

My best memory of BF was also when it was actually on Fridays!!! I miss those days. My very first one in 2004 is by far the most memorable. I was 7 months pregnant with my son and about 10th in line for an Xbox at Best Buy with a friend. It wasn't my purchase, but I felt damn excited that she got it. It was the first and last time I have ever been to a Best Buy on BF. We headed to Walmart after that, but it was a nightmare and we left. We then headed to Target where NO ONE was shopping at. That was the year that I knew I would be hooked on BF. Can't believe how much has changed in just 11 years. The worst was the year I had to go by myself. It's never the same when you don't have a partner in crime.

Well, I missed the August check in, but I'm here! Woot woot! 11th year strong with you guys. Now if I only I knew what the heck I actually want to get everyone...

1. I plan to spend no more than 1000.00, with 800 being my ideal number. 2. I plan for at least 4 stores: Kohl's, TRU, Sam's, Home Depot. The rest will depend on the ads. 3. There will be more online shopping for me this year, than last. I've already picked up a few things along the way!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-White-Wizard-Games-WWG759-Star-Realms-Deckbuilding-Game-/221595035212?pt=Games_US&hash=item339817e64c This is a card game that I think my son will really love. He's kind of getting into stuff like this, so I've been watching for a good deal.

1. Target 2. Black Friday 3. 11.27.14 at 2PM

10 years strong for me! I was 7 months pregnant with my son the first time I went, and I've been hooked ever since.

Since I found this site back in 2004ish, it's been the only trusted and reliable site I continue to use for Black Friday. The other sites do not compare to this one, and in addition, it's great all year round for deals! I come here to get tips, deals, sneak peaks, etc. and I am ever appreciative of the accuracy! I love being in the know for Black Friday ahead of time so I can get the most bang for my buck AND not waste any time at the last minute looking for the perfect gifts.

I have to say the 8th AND 9th. With BF coming 1 day earlier, I think the big guys will leak their ads a day or two earlier than last.

Love this contest! Fingers are crossed!

My tip is bring a fanny pack! While this may not be perceived as stylish to all of us, it is very functional. It can hold your coupons, lists, money, chapstick, car keys, phone, advil, 5 hour energy, etc (<---- BONUS TIPS right there! That's what to pack in it!) This way you are not shoving things into your pockets or carrying around a pocket book. Everything is right there ready to go. I hide mine under my coat, so no one can grab it. You can even get ones with compartments, to make organizing easy. Yes, I have one just for this day and yes, it is decorated with all thing Black Friday (yep, it's been bedazzled). And since we are entering the season of giving, why not give you guys another tip? Travel in packs! Never do a BF alone if you can avoid it. This way you can divide and conquer! Woot woot!

I do both as well! I already started my online shopping and will continue as I see deals. I can't give up physically going out, but I DO wait until Friday. There is a part of me that misses the craziness on Friday mornings, but another part of me that loves that I'm part of a smaller crowd of early morning BF shoppers. By the time I go out, the crazy's are gone!

WOOOO EEEEE! Can't wait!

I love the "Take Back Black Friday" idea and I'm right there with you. We may not be everyone, but we are a few of many that are taking a stand, keeping our BF tradition, and will STILL will have fun doing it! Yay for Black Friday!

After spending months on this site, my planning is almost done by the time BF rolls around. I casually peruse the ads as the Turkey bakes, make my final plans, clean up after dinner, have a few tasty adult libations and off to bed by 9ish. I wake up, shower, put on my "face", BF outfit (yes, I have an outfit specifically for this day), and head out to Mickey D's at 4:30AM. Once I pick up my "not so good for me" breakfast of champs, I roll on over to the Starbucks for my annual egg nog latte, and then scurry over to the stores for some good ol' Black Friday fun having. I can't even believe it's 28 days away! YIKES!

I hate it as well. 2 years ago I went out on Thanksgiving night to TRU when they opened at 10PM. I'll never do that again, and don't even feel like I saved that much more than I would have if I would have gone at 5AM the next morning. I feel bad for the employees that don't get to spend time with their families, and I certainly don't want to miss out on time with my own. The sales can wait until I'm good and ready to get there at 5AM the next morning!

I have been BF shopping since 2004. I'll never forget it because I had very little money for xmas, 7 months pregnant with my first and only son, and needed to find some bang for my buck. I stumbled across this site at work one day when I went on a Google "walk about." I didn't actually join the site until a few years later, but came back to it often to help keep me organized and in spirit! I had never even really heard of BF before that year, but one of the girls at work had mentioned it when I was desperate to figure out how I was going to get all these presents with little money. I went with my then sister in law and our first stop was Best Buy. She needed an Xbox and they had them for next to nothing. Back then, the store opened at 5AM. We went to Mickey D's for breakfast and a coffee, and were in line by 4:45AM. I think we were only about 20 people deep in the line before the store opened and this was in a major Denver subarb! She got what she wanted in less than 5 minutes, and off to Walmart and Target for more deals. You would never believe it, but at that time, Target had nearly no one in the store. I can't believe this will be only my 9th year BF'ing, but it's amazing how even in that short time things have changed dramatically! I am not ready to give up on BF, but like most, I don't do it for big ticket items anymore. Sometimes I think I do it, just for the old thrill of a deal. I refuse to go out on Thanksgiving night, and still plan to be at the stores about 5AM...right after my Mickey D's breakfast and coffee. Can't wait!

Harbor Freight-10.9!

It's a BF tradition for me. I put it up that Friday after I'm done shopping to help me get in xmas mode. I keep them up until about the 2nd weekend in January. I do, however, put my lights up the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. I turn those on Thanksgiving Day right after dinner! (sometimes even as early as Thanksgiving Eve)

Maybe I'll try online shopping this year, but probably not. I say it every year to myself to just give it up and not go an endure the back aches and fatigue, but I just don't think I can do it! I'll feel like I'm missing something. So, Middletown, NY is where I will be again at the ol' brick and mortar stores . I can't wait!

I hate it too. I loved being able to spend all day with family, nap, and get up at 3AM to head out for the madness. Black Friday is FRIDAY, not Thursday, not Saturday...it's Black Friday. I have no idea what to do this year, and I don't think saving the money the day before Black Friday is worth missing out on my family traditions. Maybe I'll do a half and half thing: some online Thursday, some brick and mortor starting at 4 ot 5AM on Friday.

It's hard to nail down once specific thing about Black Friday that I love most, but I would have to say it's the feeling I get when I score something hard to find at a great deal and knowing how happy my son will be when he sees it xmas morning!

Christmas is coming Black Friday Deals still to see Let's Use Gottadeal!

I have been looking for a deal on one of these for months! Thanks for posting this! I took the suggestion and got the same deal! AGA30 is the promo I used in case anyone else needs the 30% off for the same deal on the Kitchenaid site.

1. "Does anyone know if they have any more tickets for the Lasagna? I hope they don't run out before I get up there!" 2. To the lady on the right: I hope they didn't run out of sneakers before you got back to the shoe department, those flip-flops look mighty cold! 3. "Seriously mom, I can just take a nap here and no one will notice or try to steal your doorbusters! Please let me sleep!"