LondonAtDark

I just waiting for the WalMart ad....

My husband and I were just discussing XMas today.....how much to spend and so on. The problem I have is my DD whom is 12 get so much from Grandparents and others it is hard to buy for her. Plus like most of America and beyound money is tight. I will start shopping on BF.....I am getting excited! The time seems to fly...

I started BF Shopping in 2004. I saw at TV in the WalMart ad I wanted. The mayhem, the pushing, shoving and all was a rush to me! I have been going ever since. Sans 2007, I had to work that day. But otherwise I haven't missed it. This year I requested the day off of work....

Thank you all for sharing your experiences of Black Friday, your deals, steals and stories! Thank you Brad for having this site and to BigJimSlade for his BF Webcasts! Merry Christmas to all!

I live near Ottawa IL and Oswego is about an hour northeast. For those people standing in line it is one COLD night out! So far no one at our local Kmart.

Doesn't seem to be the long lines of years past. I will report tomorrow the line at Target where I will be going to in a few hours. BigJimSlade--Doesn't look like your camping out this year!

I will probably get to Target about 4:15am or so. The nearest Target for me is about a 40 min drive. And across the street from it is WalMart and a Kohls. I live in a fairly rural area and back in 2006 when I last went to Target WalMart opened at 5 and Target at 6. So people went to WalMart first then came over to Target. So I am thinking the WalMart people will be over there and not much of a big line at Target. And that year I did arrive about 5:10 am and was about 50th in line.....

I could see people taking vacation time to stand in line outside a store. But Monday is a tad bit early for me!

WalMart ad's usually come in the mail for us. Maybe it will be in Wednesdays' mail. I didn't get mine today.

I plan on using cash and debit card. And I hate writing checks.....and most places now automaticlly clear them while you stand there. So might as well use the debit card!

Since Walmart is is another town from me I will get there about 4am on Black Friday with my daughter and scope it out since ours is a 24hr store. Last year I was there about 4:15am and remember the mass of people by the low priced digital cameras. I went over to the HBA section and armed with the map sat on a bench until 5am then got what I needed.

My daughter turned 11 this year. This is the first year she is going to go with me. Next week I will coach her in what to do. I think we are going to head to Target. My hubby wants one of those Western Digital external drive thingy-ma-jigs. I will probably have her man the shopping cart on the outskirts of the the mayhem and I will dive in an attack! LOL! I also have an extra cell phone which I will give her so if we somehow get seperated. She is looking forward to it...or maybe she is looking forward to breakfast out that day....who knows. But I am looking forward to having her with me.

Our WalMart is open 24 hrs so no need to freeze outside like I did in 2005. It was 14F outside that day! My feet felt round since they were so cold when the store opened. Last year was my first year shopping at our new WalMart and I just got a map from the Door Greeter, walked around and then just found a bench by Health and Beauty Aids and waited for 5am. No freezing. Which was good. The only things I bring are the ad's, wallet and purse. Less is more.

Depends on the ad's this year. Usually it will either be Target or WalMart.

I brought a Symphonic TV/DVD combo at Walmart in 2004. My first Black Friday experience. My husband and I saw that in the ad and he wanted it. So I went. I became a convert after that! And we are still using the TV! It is in our bedroom...still works. Also that same year I brought a coffee maker for $3.97. One of those No Name brands they buy from China dirt cheap. That sucker worked for 4 years.I have had Mr. Coffee brands since then and have gone thru two.

I was Laid Off from my job in September.... So I will be free:)

Last year I brought the Hannah Montana Sleepover set at WalMart. It was for $10 and included a pillow, sleeping bag and a carrier. The sleeping bag is very thing and of poor quality.

This year I am taking my daughter who will be 11, and hopefully a friend of mine can join us. If not it will just be me and my DD. She is already looking forward to it! I don't know if she is looking forward to shopping or the fact that we will go out for breakfast...

I just dress warmly. I'll get to Target about 5am, and since most people will be at WalMart I get mighty close to the door. No one around here sets up tents.

I normally don't rush in and out... At Target in 2006 my friend and I shopped for a while. We got our items we wanted then I got some bows, Christmas cards, Christmas music CD's, some grocery items, hand soap. We were in no rush. I think we left the store around 7:30am or so...the sun was up when we walked out. Then we jotted over to Kohl's, went for breakfast then home.

I have a short list compared to many of you. I guess I am lucky I have an older sibling that we don't exchange gifts and my DH is an only child. DH DD 10 Mom Dad MIL FIL Nephew ( I am FINALLY an Aunt!) Garbage Man (Homemade cookies and a bottle of milk. I was on jury duty eariler this year and a lady I sat next too her husband was a garbage man. And she told me they love getting homemade cookies. I used to give them beer but they cannot have booze in their cab. So she suggested cookies. OH...BTW-They HATE PUMPKINS! She told me he is throwing them away from October till new years...) DD Teacher Little gift bags for DD Classmates as I am Room Mother Cats-Catnip Dog-Dog bone and DD wants to give her a doggie bed.

My DD will be 10 this October so it is getting harder to shop for her. You guys had great suggestions....

I usually do both. Like 2 years ago at Target, I brought Xmas cards, bows, tape, laundry soap etc while I was there and spending money.

To Oneredhonda-15 kids! Wowers! That is A LOT to buy for! I remember my grandmother always brought her grandkids McDonald gift certifcates. They came in a packet of 5 for $5.00 total. Anyone remember those? I always looked forward to receiving those! I noticed with my daughter I buy her accesorizes to go with what she already has. She has an American Girl doll, so I buy clothing for her doll. She has a GameBoy (We might have to upgrade her this year to the DS system) so then I would buy her games to play with hand held game. I remember buying her Barbies and the houses and stuff and she never played with any of it. The dog usually wound up chewing the little pieces left out and sometimes thru it back up. Fun.

This will be my 4th year. I missed last year since I had to work. I am looking forward to it!