Surviving Black Friday

Ready to face the crowds for Black Friday? It might not be as bad as you think, as long as you have a plan before you go. Making sure you're prepared is the best way to approach this crazy day, and it will allow you to make the trip more enjoyable (yes, it really can be fun). Here are some tips in order to survive Black Friday:

#1: Get a newspaper on Thanksgiving, and check out all your local ads. This will help you determine where to go, what has the best selections, etc. You can also check the ads online at BlackFriday.info.

#2: Determine when the sales begin and end, as some are only for "power hours" or for certain time frames. This will help you determine when you want to get to the stores, and where you might want to go first.

#3: Make lists for each store as soon as you know what items you want to purchase. This way, you won't head into the crowds without knowing what you originally wanted to get. Know the store well? Map it out if you have to, so you can go directly to the area where you want to shop.

#4: The night before, plan ahead to take your shower and get to bed early. Make sure your car has gas for the trip, so you won't have to waste any time the next morning. It's very difficult to get up that next morning after all of the holiday madness the day before, so the more you have done, the better prepared you'll be.

#5: Pack snacks for the day. I know it might sound like a silly idea, but when you're waiting in line for 45 minutes to an hour, you'll feel better if you have a granola bar and some water to keep your energy up for the rest of the day. Not only that, but you may find yourself in traffic for long periods of time, and the restaurants are crowded as well.

#6: Wear comfortable clothing. Honestly, this makes the trip much better. Last year, I wore comfortable jeans, a fleece, and tennis shoes, and I didn't have any problems waiting in line. My feet didn't hurt, I wasn't too hot or too cold, and my patience lasted throughout the day because I didn't have to worry about aches and pains.

#7: Prepare for a long wait in line. Sometimes, you'll get lucky and find yourself waiting only 15 minutes or so, especially when the afternoon approaches and the rush has died down a bit. However, I've waited in line as long as an hour in a line that wrapped all the way around the store. It depends on the time of the day you go and the sales that particular store is having, but if you know ahead of time that you'll likely have a long wait, you'll find yourself being more patient.

#8: Bring shopping bags. Most of the time, you will have carts available for your use at the stores. However, sometimes there are so many people shopping that they inevitably run out of carts or bags for you to use. If you bring a few shopping bags (cloth, not plastic), you'll be able to carry your items without having your hands full.

#9: Expect bad manners. Unfortunately, not everyone will be on their best behavior. It's something new on the news each year-someone runs over someone else with a cart, people take things out of one another's hands, etc. I've never seen it happen, but I do know that many people are very tired, frustrated, and on edge during this day, and it's best to not add your own stress to the mix. If you need to bring your iPod and listen to music while waiting in line, do it. Don't let other people influence your moods and attitudes during the day. Remember, all you are doing is shopping for gifts. There are always other opportunities and other ways to find the perfect gift at a later time.

#10: One last reminder-have fun with it! I plan, research, make lists, and get everything ready the night before, and when my husband and I leave the next day at 4am, it's actually like we're going on a mini-adventure. Holiday lights and music are on everywhere, and you'll find yourself getting some pretty great deals! It amazes me how much we come home with, and how early I get my Christmas shopping done when I take advantage of Black Friday deals.

As I said, Black Friday shopping doesn't have to be a dreaded event, as long as you plan for it and understand that it will be crowded and a little crazy at times. Bring a fun shopping partner that will keep you laughing throughout the day, and you'll be home before the late afternoon to enjoy a well-deserved nap.