Know what you want.
Don’t waste time wandering around because then you’ll be there for even longer. You have a lot of ground tocover at different stores, so come prepared with an idea of what exactly you’re looking for at each location. Know how many of each item you want and have a back up plan just in case things are sold out. Be prepared. Look through a catalogue if one’s released ahead of time. A lot of stores have a look book or feature items that will be on sale. Make sure you check for coupons and other deals online. You can print them off and save even more.
Look at a map and familiarize yourself with the store.
Stop by the day or two before Black Friday and take a few minutes to get comfortable in the store. You can save a lot of time by knowing where sections are. Then you won’t run around aimlessly.
Get a good night’s sleep and be alert.
People can get pretty feisty and pushy when it comes to saving money. Be on your toes and aggressive if you want something. You’ll need a lot of energy (and coffee) because it’s going to be a long day of shopping, and you don’t want to get trampled!
Bring a strong companion.
Shop with someone who has a similar gift list, so you can hit the same stores. That way you don’t have to drive all over the place and deal with stressful traffic. Children might not be the best companions in this case because they can get tired and overwhelmed by such a hectic day.
Get there early.
We’re not saying you have to do anything crazy like stay there overnight, but try and get there about an hour or two before the store opens. Lines will form outside. Be sure to bring coffee and snacks. As you wait with friends and family, stay positive and make a game out of it!
Dress appropriately.
Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be covering a lot of ground and need to move fast. Wear comfortable clothes, too. Don’t bring a large purse. It’ll get in the way and add even more weight to the shopping bags you have to carry.