MariahA

I know this has been discussed in past years but thought it'd be a good discussion. What are your thoughts on children Black Friday shopping? Personally, my opinion depends on several factors; 1. Where are you shopping? Is it a fairly calm place or one of the places we see on the news because someone got pepper sprayed? 2. When are you shopping? Big difference in shopping at Walmart or many stores at the moment the sale starts vs late Friday morning. 3. Weather. Obviously not if it's extremely cold or icy. And only if children are properly dressed; no socks with snow is not okay. 4. Age and maturity of the child. Older kid to help stay with a cart or hold a spot in line, doesn't bother me. Newborn at any store no way. Runner? No way. That's my opinion. My DS (will be 9 months) will be going out with me Black Friday morning about 8ish. He's staying home with his Daddy Thanksgiving night and I won't go out till the morning after he wakes up on his own so he's well rested. Weather is looking like highs in the 50s lows in the upper 20s so he'll be appropriately bundled up. We're going to Bass Pro, the mall, and maybe TRU. At that time of day those places are busy but not crazy. DS will be in his stroller or I'm babywearing him. If he gets tired or overstimulated we're going home. No sale is worth him being miserable. Thoughts and experiences with children on Thanksgiving/Black Friday?

I prefer it earlier, more time to shop afterwards if needed. But the later dates meant one more paycheck. So it goes either way for me. Good things about early BF and late BF.

It looks like low 50s for the high and upper 20s for the low. So I will have the winter coat in the car but probably wear a zip up hoodie, easier to get on and off in store. I'm also taking my DS with me during the day on Black Friday, so he'll be in layers and bundled in his stroller going to and from stores. The only store I will be going to at opening is Walmart and its 24 hour so I can wait inside. And, no, the baby is not going to Walmart with me. He's staying home for some grandad, daddy, and son bonding time. Not taking an infant to Walmart at opening. Will have to check those links while I'm planning, will be helpful.

I'll have to look for it, never noticed it before but I usually go straight for the chocolate cake mix so not sure I'd have seen it anyway. Thanks!

Not a Kohl's fan but would love to see other stores! I look at old ads in the archives when I'm bored but it's neat seeing them like that all at once.

This sounds nummy, may need to try it. I've never seen butter cake mix though, where do you get it?

The Sears by me is still open but all the K Marts are gone. There's still a Radio Shack 30 minutes from my house but never go there. And there's a DressBarn in a major shopping center that's always busy.

I hope Walmart really is at 6, if it gets much earlier then that I'll start having to argue with the hubby about dinner vs BF shopping. Cause I get there an hour early usually... Why won't they go back to Thanksgiving being a holiday and opening on Friday am? And I know why, they make money so they're open.

I use the ads posted here first for the sake of planning but there's just something about the real, hard copy, paper ads that make me so happy. I'll shift thru paper ads and mark everything I plan on looking at. Have a paper list sorted by store, price, amount, etc, wrote out from the leaked ads. And I use the shopping list here. Just figured out how to use that last year so it'll probably be used more this year. I'm also trying to save gift cards this year to use for online shopping, will see how that goes. I've never shopped online for BF so that's a new layer to add to my planning.

More then I like to admit. Usually check every time I pump at work and then a few more times sprinkled throughout the day.

Gotta say Walmart and I know I'm weird but Dollar General. I got to DG when they open on Thanksgiving, get a ton of toys and cheap ornaments and any ASOTV stuff I need, have fun shopping with my sister in a less hectic environment. Then WM is where in the past I've gotten most of my BF shopping done. Still planning on going to DG at opening, home for pie and the parade, then Walmart. Toys r Us is on my radar this year, and some other of the bigger stores. I'm going to be a SAHM in a week. So money will be tighter but I have time to go out this year.

Yah! First GD shirt! Can't wait to wear it! Will go with the hat from last year.

I'm super excited, a new store opened up that's actually accessible for me! Wasn't planning on going if I had to go to the old one on the far far side of major city I'll be shopping at but might actually go now! Still only stocking stuffers so not a must stop but it's a possibility now.

Not one in my area or there were some good deals!

I want this, fun chocolate fountain, looks like Mickey Mouse! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BN8T7LK/ref=strm_fun_79_nad_66_1

For the traveler, maybe put a little money in it to go with it? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HYAX80M/ref=strm_fun_nad_1_1

Fun for a coffe drinker, pharmacist, or a doctor. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAH7GTO/ref=strm_fun_193_nad_38_4

I had a toy like this as a child. I'd sit and play with it for hours. May get this for my 10 year old nephew. https://www.amazon.com/Glantop®-Magnetic-Sculpture-Intelligence-Development/dp/B0183KNY06/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1508636308&sr=8-31&keywords=fidget+toys

Good little stocking stuffer for a girl or someone who likes koalas. I'd put it on my keychain, it's cute! https://www.amazon.com/Cooplay-Rhinestone-Keychain-Beautiful-Accessories/dp/B018IMS616/ref=bbp_bb_5e8416_st_DfKg_t_200?psc=1&smid=A24Y8KFXWCP3RQ

I got off work early a few days ago and went shopping by myself so I could grab a few things for the hubby. I got us both generic nerf guns for our stockings. And a refill pack. We were walking by the display last week and he told me he always wanted one as a kid but his mom thought they were the worst toy ever and would make them want to join the army??? But he has one for his stocking now and it will be Nerf-war Christmas morning. Also got my niece's pottery wheel and potholder loom she wanted. And went to TRU and got the baby a Grover stuffed animal for his stocking. Progress but not near as much as I'd like. My last day is 2 weeks from now, I wanted to be pretty much done by then! Not happening but oh well.

Probably what I'm getting my MIL! Who's impossible to shop for. And has a birthday 2 days after Christmas. Perfect for a tea drinker who likes using loose leaf teas. It has a little steeper that's in the lid. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009C0CLA6/ref=cm_gf_ss_tB_d_p_aAN_p0_qd5

Cute rubber ducks. My mom would love these ! She collects rubber ducks. https://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Pattern-Rubber-Favors-RIN/dp/B0035BT11U/ref=bbp_bb_5e8416_st_WJXT_t_47?psc=1&smid=A2P5I4NW0QQAX1

The cheap movies. I just donated a bunch still in the wrapping. Toys in general, the quality isn't there for so much of WM's stuff. Side note, the movies reminded me, was at Wally World and they still have Sex in the City from last year with the promo stickers on them!?! Laughed my head off, and kept walking. They were 3.74 each and they had at least 15. And people fight over the movies every year...

For the brownie lover in your life.... https://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Edge-Nonstick-Brownie-Pan/dp/B000MMK448/ref=br_asw_pdt-1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=R8YJ7P8QQ1C9JDX65M0S&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=732507ad-ae61-43aa-838c-1eb72ea121b0&pf_rd_i=desktop I personally hate the chewy edge but most people seem to love the edges!

#1 Its only the 43inch people! Must get to the 55inch they stacked on the bottom! #2 All employees will be given riot gear, pepper spray for self defense in face of trampling, and free coffee! #3 Mom, we can't, huff puff, go on. Must sleep, Turkey coma approaching.... Zzzzzzz.