Best Friday-After-Thanksgiving Sales in Melbourne, Florida

You have been slaving over your kitchen for the last 24 hours to prepare that perfect, memorable Thanksgiving dinner for your family and friends when you finally sit down to take a bite of those delicious mash potatoes and stuffing. As you take a sip of your wine and relax, you suddenly remember what tomorrow is. Its not just the day after Thanksgiving, its BlackFriday! The day you can reward yourself from all the hard work in the kitchen this Thanksgiving. Its also time to start checking off all those gifts on the holiday check list.

What is the meaning of those two little words "Black Friday", your probably wondering. How did this mad shopping day get started? The actual meaning of "Black Friday" is a termed used by retailers when they shift from a non profitable zone, "the red zone" into a profitable zone, "the black zone".

During my quest to find out everything about "Black Friday", I found some very useful shopping tips for those that are brave enough to scope out the best holiday deals this year.

Ten Tips for Brave Black Friday Shop-o-holics.

1. Do a Google search for your favorite retailers online.

Typically when you think of Black Friday, you probably think of going out of your home to get the best deals. Now retailers are making use of the internet for more great Black Friday discounts. I would recommend doing a "Google" search for your favorite shops online. Once you find their website, you can check out what deals they are having.

2. blackfriday.gottadeal.com

BlackFriday.gottadeal.com is a perfect tool for getting all the information you need for your biggest shopping day of the year. This website provides lists of merchandise that retailers will be offering at a discounted price for Black Friday. It also provides you with links to individual products that you are interested in. It also provides you with a list of popular retailers, and links to their websites.

3. Call your local malls

Make sure to call all of the malls in your area that you plan to visit. Ask them what their mall hours will be for Black Friday. The mall office will usually be able to provide specific information for their opening and closing hours.

4. Get on the mailing list of your favorite retailers

When I worked in retail, we had mailing lists. Whenever we had any type of special sale going on we would mail out notices a week or two in advance. The next time you visit one of your favorite retailers, make sure you ask them if can be on their mailing list. Also tell them that you would like to be notified especially for Black Friday deals.

5. Get a good nights rest

Make sure your in bed very early on Thanksgiving, which shouldn't be hard after all that turkey.

6. Arrive early

If your going to brave the busiest shopping day of the year, make sure you set your alarm clock extra early. As the old saying goes, "the early shopper, gets the best deals". As an ex-retail employee of 5 years, I know that many retailers set special deals for the "early birds". For example when I worked Origins, a natural skincare company, we had a separate sale for the first two hours of business.

7. Take a list

It is important to be organized on Black Friday, since it will already be deemed a hectic day. Make separate lists ahead of time for the items that you are interested in buying this holiday season. Take these list with you so that you can run in and run out. It will save you a lot of looking around. Most of the time if you know what your looking for you can bring your list to an employee, who will be happy to help you find what you came in for.

8. Make Black Friday a scavenger hunt

Make Black Friday a fun family tradition by giving everyone lists of items to buy. Get into your competitive sides by making it a race to see who can get all of the items bought first. At the end of the day each family member adds up how much they spent in total. The person with the least amount spent, wins as the best Black Friday shopper.

9. Get the best deal by price matching

Make sure that you get the best deal you can, by asking retailers to price match items. Most of the time the retailers will want to give you the best deal, in order from loosing your business.

10. Don't sweat the small things

If you don't want to sweat it out in the mall, shop online. You can use the internet to your advantage this year to scope out all of your favorite deals, and get them delivered right to your front door. This will save you a trip, and the stress of the busiest shopping day of the year.

Whether you choose to do your shopping the traditional way, or online I hope you will be able to use some of my tips.