rockpzazz

For as long as I can remember I have had some sort of Thanksgiving dinner on the weekend following and not as much on actual Thanksgiving. It started when I was a kid and while we would have our family dinner on that Thursday, we would go to my grandmas and have a big dinner on Sunday. It went like that for many years. A few years later as my sisters started to move out and my mom would have to work on Thanksgiving we would start having dinner on the weekend. To me it works out better as my sisters would have their family dinners on Thanksgiving, and the whole family would get together on the weekend for a huge dinner. It doesn't take anything away from the holiday itself as we still gather and are thankful for many things. It is just easier for everyone to get together on the weekend. I guess that's one reason why it doesn't bother me about sales occurring on Thanksgiving. I worked almost every Thanksgiving (and Christmas for that matter) and still was able to have a family gathering. A few decades ago a lot of stores weren't open on Sunday, now almost all are open, so I don't see this as any different. I understand the argument that families should be able to spend time together, but I just don't see why they have to be on specific days that are observed by the government. Anytime the whole family gets together should be considered a holiday. So does anyone else celebrate holidays on weekends instead of the day itself? We do it for almost all holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day, obviously Easter).

I didn't see too much that seemed like deals, but then again, I doubt Walgreens would be on my list of stops anyways. 20% off Legos seemed good, but they seemed overpriced anyways (not just at Walgreens), so nothing too great.

When did they start selling this online (not this specific deal, but overall)? I would have looked a lot sooner, especially if they sell those big packages that cheap.

I don't have any near me, but can't wait to see it. I generally look at all the ads regardless if I have one close by or not. It gives me a feel for the store in case one does open sometime that I can go to.

Most likely if I go to a store, it will be Walmart. Hopefully it will be in Columbia, MO, but most likely will be in Boonville, MO.

I'm not a big shopper at Sears, but I thought the deals were pretty good. It seems every year the deals get less and less impressive, so I don't have high expectations like I did in the past.

I get what you're saying, you would like the ads on screen and not Big Jim (no offense Big Jim) as he is going through the ads. I like this idea, but (and I admit I haven't tuned in this year) if its like previous years, he doesn't go over every item, and sometimes skims the pages if the sales aren't noteworthy. Because of this, it is tough for the pages to be in sync with what he is discussing as sometimes he goes through pages in quick succession. By the way I hope to make at least one of the webcasts this year, likely this week since Mizzou has a bye week and won't be playing.

I didn't notice a year on the shirts, so I guess even if you were late to order, you still could and they wouldn't really be outdated. How long will they keep it up? If it is kept up year round, then people could be reminded throughout the year and purchase whenever. I might order a hoodie at some point if that is the case.

The town next to me just had a Hibbett Sports store open this year. I have never seen any ads for the store, Black Friday or otherwise, but I was wondering if they had any or what kind of deals they may have. I am not sure if I'll be able to shop on BF, I might work that day, but if they have good deals, I might stop in.

Thank you, what a great way to wrap up my day/night. Congrats to all the other winners!

I've never had an iPad, but this would make a perfect gift for my mother who loves to read and I am teaching how to use computers and newer technology.

I've been a member for many years and love the site. There is no other site better for Black Friday deals, and the year round deals really saves you a lot. While other sites just post the ads, Gottadeal encourages discussion on the ads, making the site like a family.

Congrats to the winners! Wear the shirts with pride!

I have to admit, the Occupy Movement one made me laugh. That wouldn't annoy me, then again I've never been interviewed by the media. My pet peeves consist of people who decide to browse at the stores. One time a few years back I saw an older women looking in the $5 movie bin at Walmart on Black Friday. The same $5 bin that is always there 365 days a year. I think it was my first year going out on Black Friday, and even then I knew certain things are not acceptable. Another pet peeve is people you know wanting to stop and chat while shopping. Why don't they realize this is like a sport and once the deals begin, if you aren't on the same tea, you have no friends? Ok, thats a bit harsh, but I don't have time to chat while trying to find deals. If I am waiting in line that's different, I love talking to people to pass the time, but not WHILE I'm shopping. #4 on your list peeves me too. A few years back a friend and I shopped at a Circuit City and got all our stuff in under 5 minutes. The store layout and lines were so bad it took almost 2 hours to check out. When we finished we went about a block away to Best Buy and got our stuff in 5 minutes and out of the store in 10 minutes total. We vowed never to go to Circuit City again for Black Friday. Sadly, we never had the chance as they closed within a year.

If you are going with friends, divide and conquer. If you both want the same items, have them pick up an extra for you while you get your stuff and an extra for them. Of course that is for non-ticketed items. This way you can both get what you need. I have a rule that I make no wasted motion. I DON'T STOP! I keep walking and only stop to grab an item or if I'm in a crowd and can't move. Use all your motion to move on to where you need to go, never stopping unless you must. Last year as I was looking for cheap movies, I noticed the lines weren't moving, so I got out of line and went back to the movies and spotted a couple that wasn't there earlier. Sometimes its a good bet people will set stuff down, so if you have the time, it might be worth it to take a second look before you check out. I don't advise this if you have multiple stops or in a time crunch though. Another tip I used to my advantage last year was if there is a part of the store that has a register, they can check you out. After I spotted the movies on the second go round, I was able to check out in the electronics section a whole lot faster than waiting in the lines at the front registers. Just keep any eye out. Stores such as Wal-mart and Target list where items will be located before they open, remember it. It is also a good idea to scout the store a day or two before to see how they plan to implement the locations. A couple friends I know missed out on deals because they were roped on the wrong side of the display and couldn't get items. Finally if there are items you are on the fence about like movies and PJ's, sometimes a trip later in the day is the best bet. There is a 50/50 chance they may be out of what you wanted, but there seems to be a decent selection on these items if they are not must need. If you do this remember, as the day progresses and the stores begin to empty, some of the displays are moved. Sometimes they aren't even moved to the correct location. Last year at my Walmart, movies started in the produce section, and a few hours later were in the jewelery section. EDIT: I wanted to add this. If you need a cart for some reason and they are out (I've seen this a few times), an alternative is to grab a wheeled trash can or wheeled cooler to haul your loot in. I went to a Menards once and a lot of people were doing this. I wouldn't try it with a trash can without wheels though as they can get heavy quick.

Looks like I will have to sign up for a free trial in a couple weeks. I like Amazon, but I only buy stuff from the site around the holidays. Rarely do I buy any other time of the year. Though I must admit, I have less income than I used to so that could be a big reason.

I'm still old fashioned and buy CD's (I don't have a mp3 player or iPod) but don't buy as many anymore. Any suggestions on new albums coming out this year. I haven't been too fond of the last few years of releases. I almost gave up music because of the Cee-Lo Green Christmas album a couple years ago.

I'm not sure if you are close to a Bass Pro Shop, but they usually have a lot of crafts and events for kids to do there on weekends leading up to Christmas. My nephews enjoyed doing them when my sister would take them. As someone posted earlier, going around the neighborhood looking at decorations is always fun. My favorite memories growing up was looking at the Christmas lights. We live in a small town and each year, the first week of December the basketball team plays in a tournament about 30 miles away. Anyways, on the final night of the tournament, my dad would pick us up from the game and we would drive around their town looking at all the lights. It was always so fun.

I know this could be linked to other threads, but I am asking a different type of question. I've noticed a lot of people complain about earlier shopping hours, and thats fine, I have no problem with that. However a lot of them say they refuse to go out and shop on Thanksgiving but in the same breath say they will shop online on Thanksgiving. What is the difference? I have shopped online, and in store before for items, and while both have their advantages and disadvantages, most people cite family tradition as a reason they won't go out on Thanksgiving. I understand it takes time away from the family, but doesn't shopping online do the same thing? It's not like its as fast as checking facebook or something, it takes a good deal of planning and timing to get the deals you want online (especially if you are waiting for Amazon deals). I know it stinks for workers to have to work on a holiday, but I actually liked working holidays because I got time and a half pay, which allowed me a chance to get more deals (especially when I worked the overnight shift). I know quite a few people who enjoyed getting paid extra. It's not like nobody is working on the online side of things when you buy online. People have to be working at those businesses that run online sales too, so its just as bad for them as it is for the people that have to work in a store. So why is it so wrong to shop in store on Thanksgiving but its ok to shop online?

I've been thinking about buying a blu ray player for a while now, but would it be smarter just to get a ps3? I have a 360 and I don't play it as much as I used to, so I doubt I would play the ps3 much. What other benefits would I have buying a ps3 over just getting a cheap blu ray player? I only have 3-4 blu ray discs just becuase it was just as cheap to buy the bd/dvd comobos so I'm in no rush, but was curious if now was the time to buy or should I wait a bit longer.

In the past year it seems every few weeks we hear about a data breach and credit cards being comprimised. With the shopping season and Black Friday about to begin is it safer to carry cash when shopping this year or is credit/debit the way to go? If I go anywhere it will likely be Walmart (not a lot of options for me), and I usually carry cash anyways, but just wondering how everyone else plans to do it this year. Would it be safer or smarter to use a prepaid card instead of a credit/debit card? I thought about doing this if I bought some items online, but didn't know if it would be worth the hassle.

I can understand that point, but I also think there is some planning going on by doing it online. While servers have gotten better, there is still a chance that items will be out of stock, so you have to find other places to get the items. I haven't been able to get out on BF as much in the last couple years, but I still enjoy the hunt of it. Nothing will beat trying to get a deal in store, but for some that may not be possible. I've never been the type to camp out, but I loved the thrill of getting into the store and out before most people know how to find half the items. As for my plan, I decide what I truly want, or need, or can afford, then I figure out if it would be easier to get it in store or online. I never chase high end items, but if I go to stores, I make sure I know the best route of getting in and out as fast as possible.

Picture 1: All I need is a gallon of milk, what's the holdup? Picture 2: Little do they know, I'm homeless. I just needed a place to warm up. Picture 3: I wonder how mom's Thanksgiving dinner is going. My caption for picture 2 may seem wrong, but when I first saw it, it reminded me of something that happened to my dad. My dad was watching a parade once and wearing similar clothing. Some people from a homeless shelter thought he was homeless, so they gave him some packets of hot chocolate. We laughed about that one all the way home.

WOW! 18 correct guesses. That's insane. I really thought it would have been a store that you wouldn't expect.

Some of those Hallmark movies sound interesting. The one with Wallace Shawn sounds similar to Christmas on the Bayou that the showed last year with Ed Asner. The one with Candace Cameron-Bure sounds almost like a Christmas version of a movie she was in on UP Channel last year where she played a doctor stranded in a small town. I forgot the name of it, but it was pretty good. I'm glad they make new Christmas movies, I like to add new movies to the standard classics.