In prehistoric times, our ancestors fought tooth and nail to get food for their families. If they came back empty-handed, their children would likely starve. The modern version of this is Black Friday — we fight for our cheap TV’s and DVD’s. If we come back empty handed, our friends and families might have to forego their Christmas presents from us this year.
With that in mind, here are some tips on how to have a successful (and safe) Black Friday this year.
1. Do your research beforehand.
Know where you want to go and what departments in what stores you want to hit. Know which stores open when and determine which ones are most important to you. It’s important to have a plan so you’re not lost in the crowd.
2. Eat a hearty meal a few hours before.
This can even be your Thanksgiving dinner! No one wants to be hungry while deal-hunting. You also should make sure that you eat it at least a few hours before heading out so that you’re not groggy and bloated while you’re shopping.
3. Nap beforehand.
Nap so that you can keep shopping ALL NIGHT LONG. Lots of stores are opening Thanksgiving evening and will stay open all through the night, so you should be well-rested.
4. DO NOT wear open-toed shoes.
The odds of you getting stepped on during a rush into a store, well… they’re not in your favor. So don’t risk it, my friends.
5. Go with a friend.
One of you can wait in line while the other goes and grabs their things, and then you can switch! It’s also good safety advice. The buddy system works well for multiple situations.
6. Remember: Safety first.
Even though getting a lot of great stuff for dirt cheap is really exciting, your safety is even more exciting. Try to stay out of situations that look like they could go south —- don’t get involved in stampedes, for example.
7. Be nice to the employees.
Many of them aren’t happy to be working on Thanksgiving evening in the first place — don’t give them a reason to hate it anymore than they probably already do. They’re there to help you out, but don’t be rude about it.
8. Staying home is always an option.
Black Friday is fun! But it’s also a hassle and sometimes it just isn’t worth it. If you aren’t sold on the whole thing, then don’t worry about it. With the ever-growing popularity of Cyber Monday, you can get deals just as good as Black Friday from the comfort of your very own home.
