AuntieJul

I saw this for the first time on evine the other night. It was called a Swagway for $400. But it looked pretty neat! I'm still surprised that kids under 18 are required to wear a helmet while operating it. It's also heavy - 22 lbs. Good luck with BF deals for it!

An Osmo. Yes, you need an iPad. And yes, it's a little pricey. But how many times can you play Heads Up anyway? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013JLGB2W/ref=twister_B0155T2G4S?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It wasn't exactly "secret," but in 2005 I remember Kmart having Friday, Saturday, and Sunday specials that were good only on those days. I remember it clearly because on Friday the people in front of us on the checkout line abandoned an artificial Martha Stewart Christmas tree because it was a Saturday-only sale (they didn't realize it), and in fact that model tree is the exact one that is still in use in my home for the season.

BonTon is great, but JCPenneys is always solid with sales and Kohls too, but I've waited in line that wrapped all around the store at Kohls and that cuts off my time spent at other stores....

I picked up quite a few toys at those big children's consignment sales a few weeks ago and have Christmas started in the attic!

50-75% of shopping on BF for me or my DH and the house.

JCPenney and Kohls, although they closed my closest JCPenney. If you'd asked me a few years ago KMart would have been on that list too, but they closed that too. Walmart is also a great stop. Our closest Walmart used to be really quiet on BF because it's rural and no one really went there, but they turned it into a super Walmart with groceries and it's always busy and there's no chance of getting door busters anymore.

Free breakfast at Sam's Club! It's not as big as it once was. At its heyday we grabbed bagels, granola bars, fresh fruit, and coffee for free. One time it was even Starbucks coffee. Oh, heaven.

I suppose I'm looking for tablets for the kids. Toys for them, too, though I can't think of any one big thing, but standard items like blocks and pretend baby gear. And I can't ever think of stuff to buy my parents except pictures of their grandkids, and that's a little overplayed... So, like someone else said, hoping the ads provide inspiration!

Photo 1: "You said you got this model at Cabela's during Black Friday last year? And it's on sale again this year? Heck, yeah!" Photo 2: Super Bowl XL is only twelve weeks away! Photo 3: Black Friday is a test of endurance. A test of strategy. And, sometimes, a test of dexterity.

I've noticed for some toys and clothes the best prices start to happen before BF - like right around now, in October. But even last year I felt like there weren't as many great deals for items I wanted on BF as in previous years.

What I'm worried about this year is a disparity between sales in store and online. With two little ones under three, I'm more likely to shop from home for convenience. But recently I noticed that TRU had advertised sales that were "in store only" with different sales online. I know that's nothing new, especially for BF, and I know retailers make their money getting you to ship impulsively in store, and I know there are a lot of places doing price matching, but I don't like it. To me, no retailer should ever have prices different online than in store.

I'm replying for a shirt too! A few days ago I was thinking, "Gee, I think the first bf ads will be out soon... I should check the boards!" Much to my chagrin I had already missed the first ad and this contest! How time flies!

Wow, thank you, I'm so excited! I'll be obsessively checking my mail over the next few weeks until I get it...

Thinkgeek.com sells stress balls of a zombie virus: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e8f1/?srp=1. They also sell a zombie game and mug and a few other items. Not specific to the show but fun nonetheless. And though there is no "zombie virus" product at www.giantmicrobes.com, you might find something useful or funny there to include. Good luck! Great idea!

About 11 years, since being with my then-bf now DH, who used to coordinate for his mom for BF. I never did BF before that, but he showed me how fun it could be to be done with Xmas shopping by 9am. Now wondering how we're going to do it with DS and DD both under 2...

Yay, so excited! Thanks and congrats to all the winners!

1. I hate to tell you, but this is the line for Toys R Us. Target starts on the other side of the parking lot. 2. Who needs hand warmers when you can have hand slappers? 3. She is practicing being one with the bargains. "Ohm... my goodness, the deals!"

How about a Christmas carol rewrite contest, where you have to turn it into a BF song? I guess you have a lot of writing-based contests already, though... Or have people find clips in non-Christmas movies or tv shows where a character says "gotta deal" or "got a deal" and post the clip (or if that can't be done because of copyright, then post the timestamp/approx time into the episode, name of the show, name of the episode). Best use of a coupon for a Black Friday sale - have people find coupons and post the link (if online) or information where to find it (ie: sunday's newspaper, SmartSource.com), and explain how to combine it with a sale on BF to get an awesome deal. Best deal wins! Find the 12 Days of Christmas in the BF ads - find deals in posted BF ads that correspond to the 12 days of Christmas (Partridge in a Pear Tree could be a Partridge Family DVD and a Harry & David's pear gift box, e.g.) - post links to all the items or ads for verification - most original, most accurate, funniest wins

$10 dunkin donuts gift card

#1: "Do I hear $35 for the Batman doorbuster? $35 for the Batman... Going once, going twice, SOLD to the lady in the back!" #2: Forget UFC! Get your mixed martial arts action fix at Target this Black Friday! Fights starting nationwide at midnight local time. #3: "...It's Black Friday, Black Friday, Gotta Deal on Black Friday, Everybody's looking forward to the discounts, discounts, Black Friday, Black Friday, Got Deals on Black Friday, Everybody's looking forward to the discount..."

10/13 Ace Hardware

Usually BF or Saturday depending on how busy BF is... Although this year is our first with a little one so I'm not sure what the new routine will be!

I kind of liked the zombie theme too but I can see how that doesn't quite have the celebratory or timeless feeling to it; it's more suited to any other general year tshirt. Maybe a slogan like "I'm armed with bargains and I'm dangerous with a shopping cart."

Grinch