Black Friday

The day has come..almost. We can no longer furtively Christmas shop. We can be loud and proud about the joy of the season.... or maybe throw some elbows.

This morning with our morning paper was a half of a forest of ads for Black Friday- that according to the emails I have received this week kicked off sometime in July. But alas, tomorrow (or midnight tonight) begins the frenzy of Christmas shopping. Chicago has no shortage of stores to shop in- that is for sure, but they all will be bursting tomorrow with shoppers eager for deals while I snuggle deeper under the covers.

In years past when I have decided to brave the insanity of Black Friday I have had two basic strategies: plan in advance what I want to get and where (Black Friday is no time for browsing) and hit up the stores as quickly as possible; alternatively I have driven out to a rural area where there are not as many people to fight a less insane number of people (but end up taking just as long because of travel time).
Last year I took ads from other stores to one store and asked that things be price matched- that has been my best idea yet- ONE store three hours all shopping is done.

So unless you are prepared for chaos, have a plan, or urgently need something--- stay FAR away from stores tomorrow.