Black Friday 101
Black Friday, a day when all the world turns into a giant sample sale. For those of you who have never been to a sample sale, you might want to considered yourself lucky. Sample Sales have amazing deals, but things often get physical. Friday is a sample sale turned on high. The sales are crazier, everyone is hopped up on holiday cheer, stressed over finding the perfect gift, not to mention they are spending more time with their family than they have in a long time…. This is a cocktail of crazy. To stay safe, save money and keep your sanity in check you will need a Black Friday Plan.
Preparation: The key to a happy Black Friday or any shopping trip for that matter; is the who, what and how much. Who you are shopping for, what you are shopping for and how much you are willing to spend. The who is often the easiest part. I find that the what can be a bit more taxing. I suggest you have at least 3 gift options, since stock in stores often fluctuates. As always knowing how much you are willing to spend is a must. Staying within your budget is sexy, plus come January when you get the bill for your shopping extravaganza you will thank me. To help you on your Black Friday expedition I’ve up with a simple worksheet to get your started. It contains the who, what, how much, and a few other budget items to consider. Just print, fill out, and you are well on your way to a blissful Black Friday.
What To Wear: Always go for easy to take of layers. You will be shocked to find how the temperature can fluctuate from store to store. Leggings and sneakers are a must. They can easily slide on and off, which can make trying things on a breeze. The umbrella just a reminder to check the weather, and be prepared.
What To Carry: Paper soap is a God send, you never know when you are going to find a restroom is out of hand soap. Plus paper soap is less harsh on the skin than hand sanitizer. Bandaids often come in handy for paper cuts that tags, and shopping bags are likely to give. Bobby pins, hair ties, and a small mason brush make you ready for any hair emergency. This time of the year stores are filled with bright lights, loud holiday music and plenty of perfumes. This can be the perfect storm leading to a major migraine, so keep some aspirin just in case.
Little Extras: A little notebook is perfect for when your shopping, just incase you get a brilliant idea. Your cell phone probably has a camera. So when your out snap photos of the items that catch your eye for later reference. As you probably already know the Gift List Planning Sheet is a Black Friday must have. The snacks are great, because they keep you full and energized, for what will feel like a really long day!
For those of you looking for a more detailed plan check out the Black Friday 101 List. It will walk you through the week leading up to the big day.
