i all ready have my shopping planned. If the store I hit first happens to have a really good super secret thing I want (which I highly doubt seeing the current ads) then i will have lucked out.
One of my favorite things last year was watching the cops stop people from cutting in line when the doors opened. People that just walked up there and thought they could go right on in. It was really funny to see their expression and watch them try and argue their way in.
The most important thing is to make a game plan before going out. I f you are going with a group, combine your list and then divide them by department. Each person goes to a different department. Always get the most important things on your list first. Dress for teh weather. Get in line early. Be prepared for chaos....remember it is BF and anything could happen:D
1. hand out tickets or bracelets to people in the order that they arrive. Must be in line to get one with a strict one per person policy
2. Rope off the line.
3. Have some sort of security
4. Let a limited number of people in at a time
My mom, sis, aunt and I compile our shopping lists and break them up by department. My sis had toys last year. She was getting the CPK that were on sale when she noticed a little old lady trying to get one but kept getting pushed out of the way. She asked the lady what she was looking for then jumped but into the chaos and found what the lady wanted
Multiple layers---I strip down to the bottom layer which is usually jeans and a long sleeve t shirt shortly before the store opens.
hand and feet warmers
electric socks---or boot socks if it is not as cold
gloves, hat, scarf, tennis shoes
blankets
last year someone set up a propane burner thing
Use it to make a trail to find your way out of the store and back to your car on BF...hopefully it won't get too trampled:) Or eaten by the people who have been in line all night