ohitsunshine

Adam Sandlers Hannukah song...

I spent BF in Virginia with my sisters and my parents came down to visit. It was my husband, 2 sisters and mom. We went to Kohls first-got in line about 3:30 which was perfect because by 4 it was wrapped around the building. There were a lot of people who did the door opening rush and budged but not anything too bad. I got some Pollys (and they wouldnt take the coupon), the Brother sewing machine (there were only 4 on the shelf and they were gone before I walked away with mine...never thought a sewing machine would be such a hit!) and some pjs. Next we went to Target. There were a lot of people planning on rushing the doors and the security guy came out and yelled at them and made them move to the end of the line. We really wanted the City Lego set ($49, normal 75). My husband ran to get it and I was following behind- some guy jumped in front of me and launched off an endcap- his foot was about even with my face....luckily I ducked backwards a little and was spared! My husband got 1 of only 2 of the Lego sets. We picked up HSM Mytery Date and went back by the Legos- there was already some mom back there yelling at an employee for being out- my husband stood there and told her there were only 2- I dont think that helped. After that was Staples to pick up the jump drives, paper shredder and sony memory sticks. Other than that we hit a couple of local stores- including Game Craze- we walked in to pick up another copy of WoW for the kids at $10- they had 17 Wiis and sold all 17 within an hour of putting a sign on the door. We watched someone buy the last 2 and the next person walked in and immediately bitched the sign was still on the door (the lady was JUST walking out with her bags) and we got the last copy of WoW too...not that that is a big deal. I am so thankful we got a Wii over the summer because thats all I heard about from shoppers. Other than that...it was fairly good- not any great deals but we got a few goodys off the list.

Umm....my cards are done I took pics a week ago and my cards are sitting waiting for stamps. I mail mine out on Black Friday every year!

YAY! It's not snowing here!! :D Sorry....first Christmas EVER not living in NY and loving it!!!!!!!

I used to hide a lot of them at the WalMart layaway! I loved having that option to hide alot of the junk. This year we moved and have a really nice walkin closet that will be put to good use.

Here is the after shot from last year. 3 kids. I can't begin to figure out how many gifts WERE there, lol. We were raised getting a lot of gifts- one BIG one (TV, Electric Guitar, etc) and then a lot of clothes and smaller gifts. This pile had an electric guitar, a huge lego set and 3rd row HSM concert tickets that were hidden in a bug box, lol. http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d159/jenrein/aftermath.jpg

My first year living in FL but I will be in Richmond Va freezing my you know what off. I want a shirt....if I order now will I get it before BF?

Thank you! I was looking all over and could not find anything! Thanks!!

Well I would use the HSM Doll Coupon....is there any way to get that coupon if I didnt get the book?

10) Don't stress. Believe me when I say it will NOT be the end of the world if you can't get that $20 DVD player or $5 action figure! There's a good chance it'll be on sale again before Xmas anyway for only a few dollars more - and those few dollars are NOT a big enough difference to sacrifice your sanity! I second this. I started my BF ritual at 17 years old when I decided to venture out just for the fun of it. No one in my family goes or went. I loved it, especially since I wasnt trying desperately to get ONE thing...actually I dont think I got anything that year I just wanted to be there. Sometimes you get too caught up to not relax and enjoy the pandamonium. All these are great tips....where can you find what stores price match?

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it. Its going to be a new experience, thats for sure!

This is the first year I will be away from our entire family. My husband and kids and I moved from NY to FL this year. Normally our Christmas season goes a little like this- Mid December Huge family Christmas for Dads family- about 250 get together. We exchange cards that day- no gifts. 3rd week in- Husbands family Christmas at his Gmas. His Gma gave everyone gifts. We bought for her and his 2 aunts. I also bought something small for his 2 cousins who are grown and married. Christmas Eve- At my grandmas- we bought for her. Christmas Day- My parents, we bought for them and my sisters who are now grown and moved to VA Christmas Day part 2- His parents, we bought for his younger sister, his parents and his older brothers kids. Now...my parents are visiting us at Christmas so we can exchange then. The cards I plan on shipping up ahead of time for the big exchange. Now...should I ship all these other presents? What do you suggest going from close knit Christmas exchanges to NY to FL shipping everything?

Do you have a pic of what that should end up looking like? :) Thanks ahead of time, it sounds delicious, I just have to see what I should end up with lol.

From my toy dept experience- they stack alot of toys on the high rises. The stacks that are closest to the front of the aisles will be black friday items for sure.

I dont get any big items that day. I dont want to stress about getting that one big thing- I have more fun getting a lot of the littler things so I would say $500 or so...I am shopping for 3 kids and extended family.

I second this! I think I will do this this year. I was the team lead in the toy dept of Target one year on black friday. Wow. I had been shopping and knew what to expect but it was still the most out of control day I ever had, haha.

Same here

EVERYTHING. I love the shopping, I love sending cards, I love wrapping, decorating, baking cookies, buying great gifts, family time...even coffee in my bathrobe at 4 am Christmas Morning. Actually, I started planning our Christmas card picture today...lol

always black friday night

White

A Christmas Story Grinch (the original)

11 year old did not as of last year, but my 7 and 8 year old are still believers.

We dont have a theme....we have a lot of ornaments. We were given one each year growing up and my 3 kids have been given the same. My lights I always stick to white- I like the classic look of it.

I love love love wrapping presents! I wrap them almost as soon as I get them in the door!

I started going about 6 years ago. My family all thought I was nuts and no one wanted to go with me. At the time I didnt even want anything, I just thought it would be fun to see what all the commotion was about. I was immediately drawn in and have since been a BF Addict!