holiday shopping guide: I don’t do Black Friday

November 12, 2009

Welcome to my weekly series on holiday shopping! Posts will run weekly from now through the end of December. I’ll be including gift guides, holiday shopping tips, and recommendations for gifts at all price ranges, including some fun homemade gifts.

Can you believe it’s November already? How did that happen? I haven’t started shopping or even made a list for Christmas! I have been searching for some great gift ideas though, and I’m really excited to share them with you. (stay tuned for one idea this afternoon!)

My husband and I both really enjoy the holiday shopping season, and we go out of our way to make sure we go shopping at least once in the hustle and bustle during late December. Something about the music, the decorations, and the spirit of giving always makes me smile.

There are certain times I will avoid shopping though. December 24th is a day I avoid shopping, it’s too close to the holiday, and people are too rushed.

I don’t do Black Friday. Often the “deals” offered are things that aren’t on my list. The media reports of people being killed or injured don’t make me want to get up on a cold November morning at 5am either. I prefer to sleep in, eat leftovers, and relax.

In years past I would have started earlier, buying things when I found them on sale, or ordering early to ensure we got something special. Buying gifts ahead of time cost us more since inevitably the kid’s Christmas list included nothing that was tucked away for them. I’m also finding more and more that the kids don’t play with 90% of what we buy, so this year we are ot only sticking to a budget, we’ll be choosing gifts we know the kids will use.

I don’t really understand the obsession with sales around holidays. Shopping is fun, and something I enjoy, but crowds of people fighting over marked up and then reduced stuff? Not so much.

It seems a lot of the leaked Black Friday ads have products that are cheaply produced for rock bottom prices. While the rock bottom price is appealing, I’m doubtful that a $3 toaster will work well, and last for a long time. Spending money on quality to save in the long run is worth it, in most cases.

What are your plans? Do you already have some gifts stashed away? Do you do Black Friday?

Kelly

About Kelly

Kelly Whalen is the founder of The Centsible Life, a blog where motherhood and money meet. Her goal is to help readers live well on less. Kelly is a mom to 4, and loves that she can stay at home with her kids, and still pursue her passions for writing, personal finance, and social media. You can often find her on twitter and Facebook talking money and motherhood.

Tagged as: Black Friday, holiday gift guide, holidays, shopping

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http://www.republicofaustin.com Rachel

I don't do Black Friday either. We did it all the time growing up, but that was before door busters and special sales ruined it all…at least for me. My plan for this year is to shop local businesses as much as possible. It may cost a little more, but I've found the uniqueness and service of the local stores and their selection of merchandise are worth it to me. We'll also only be buying kids gifts that we are sure they are going to love and USE for a long time. My husband and I have already decided that we are going to give each other something hand-made.
http://www.republicofaustin.com/ Rachel

I don't do Black Friday either. We did it all the time growing up, but that was before door busters and special sales ruined it all…at least for me. My plan for this year is to shop local businesses as much as possible. It may cost a little more, but I've found the uniqueness and service of the local stores and their selection of merchandise are worth it to me. We'll also only be buying kids gifts that we are sure they are going to love and USE for a long time. My husband and I have already decided that we are going to give each other something hand-made.
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http://www.learcapital.com/exactprice Hal (GT)

I agree with you about the items on sale. I looked thru all the ads in Sunday’s paper for Black Friday and some the electronic ads I received this morning in eMail and I have to say there’s really not a whole lot that grabs my pocketbook which is locked pretty tight. I’ve spoken with a number of others and they are either planning cash/gift cards or homemade items because money is so tight. Of course homemade items is good for grocery store sales and craft store sales. But still, I'm not venturing into the sea of mass lines and frayed nerves for such things on Friday.
http://www.learcapital.com/exactprice Hal (GT)

I agree with you about the items on sale. I looked thru all the ads in Sunday’s paper for Black Friday and some the electronic ads I received this morning in eMail and I have to say there’s really not a whole lot that grabs my pocketbook which is locked pretty tight. I’ve spoken with a number of others and they are either planning cash/gift cards or homemade items because money is so tight. Of course homemade items is good for grocery store sales and craft store sales. But still, I'm not venturing into the sea of mass lines and frayed nerves for such things on Friday.
http://lookinggoodmom.blogspot.com Liz

(continued) My strategy is to review flyers on Thanksgiving, make my list and schedule, and be at the first store before they open. I usually avoid electronics, and stay away from stores that have really long lines at the register unless I have someone with me who can stand in line while I shop. (I will do Walmart and Kohls, but steer clear of Best Buy and similar stores – like Circuit City in the past). I am almost always done by 8 or 9am, after which I can come home, get cleaned up, and either go to work or relax for the rest of the day (if I've taken vacation).

Some stores do pre-black friday sales on Thanksgiving now, like Kmart, and I love taking advantage of those as well because there are so few shoppers.
http://lookinggoodmom.blogspot.com Liz

I love black friday shopping, because it helps me stretch my holiday charitable giving quite a bit farther. By the time BF comes, I am usually done or mostly done holiday shopping for my family. However, one of our family traditions is to sponsor a few needy children, and buy them their holiday gifts. A few years ago (I think it was the year the Wii came out), I purchased two Xbox sports games, an Eagles jersey, and a football for $50. With a budget of $125-$150 for each child sponsored, that meant I still had $100 left to spend on that child, and I could be very generous. Under normal shopping conditions, those items would have cost twice what I spent (at least), leaving much less money to spend on that needy child. Last year, I bought full-size Webkinz for $5 each, and princess barbies for $3 each.
http://lookinggoodmom.blogspot.com/ Liz

I love black friday shopping, because it helps me stretch my holiday charitable giving quite a bit farther. By the time BF comes, I am usually done or mostly done holiday shopping for my family. However, one of our family traditions is to sponsor a few needy children, and buy them their holiday gifts. A few years ago (I think it was the year the Wii came out), I purchased two Xbox sports games, an Eagles jersey, and a football for $50. With a budget of $125-$150 for each child sponsored, that meant I still had $100 left to spend on that child, and I could be very generous. Under normal shopping conditions, those items would have cost twice what I spent (at least), leaving much less money to spend on that needy child. Last year, I bought full-size Webkinz for $5 each, and princess barbies for $3 each.
http://lookinggoodmom.blogspot.com/ Liz

(continued) My strategy is to review flyers on Thanksgiving, make my list and schedule, and be at the first store before they open. I usually avoid electronics, and stay away from stores that have really long lines at the register unless I have someone with me who can stand in line while I shop. (I will do Walmart and Kohls, but steer clear of Best Buy and similar stores – like Circuit City in the past). I am almost always done by 8 or 9am, after which I can come home, get cleaned up, and either go to work or relax for the rest of the day (if I've taken vacation).

Some stores do pre-black friday sales on Thanksgiving now, like Kmart, and I love taking advantage of those as well because there are so few shoppers.
http://www.bucksomeboomer.com Bucksome Boomer

Like Shawanda, I love Black Friday as well. Last year, I did all the day's shopping online and got some great deals. The year before, I was at Kohl's at 4 am and got in and out before the madness got too bad. I tend to only go to stores that won't be crazy…that means no Walmart or Best Buy.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

If there's something that's worth it for you, then go for it. I just don't relish getting up early ever.

http://www.bucksomeboomer.com/ Bucksome Boomer

Like Shawanda, I love Black Friday as well. Last year, I did all the day's shopping online and got some great deals. The year before, I was at Kohl's at 4 am and got in and out before the madness got too bad. I tend to only go to stores that won't be crazy…that means no Walmart or Best Buy.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

If there's something that's worth it for you, then go for it. I just don't relish getting up early ever.

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http://www.observingcasually.com/ Kosmo @ The Casual Observer

With The Littlest Observer due to arrive in January, we’re making sure to get a big jump on shopping – just in case baby #2 decides to comes as earlu as baby #1. So we’re basically done buying for our daughter and have made inroads on other gifts, as well.
.-= ´s last blog ..Interview with Baker from ManVsDebt =-.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I didn't know you had a little on coming in January! Congrats!
2 of our 4 are January babies. It's a nice time of year to hibernate with a newborn.
I know I did that the year I was due in early January as well. I wanted to be DONE. I even bought gifts for my daughters' birthdays in January and March, and my husband's birthday in March.

http://www.observingcasually.com/ Kosmo @ The Casual Observer

With The Littlest Observer due to arrive in January, we’re making sure to get a big jump on shopping – just in case baby #2 decides to comes as earlu as baby #1. So we’re basically done buying for our daughter and have made inroads on other gifts, as well.
.-= ´s last blog ..Interview with Baker from ManVsDebt =-.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I didn't know you had a little on coming in January! Congrats!
2 of our 4 are January babies. It's a nice time of year to hibernate with a newborn.
I know I did that the year I was due in early January as well. I wanted to be DONE. I even bought gifts for my daughters' birthdays in January and March, and my husband's birthday in March.

http://youhavemorethanyouthink.org Shawanda

I love Black Friday. I'm actually looking forward to finding good deals on clothing since I don't buy many pieces throughout the year. Christmas gifts aren't something I generally do, so I'm not stressed about finding anything for anyone other than me. Oh, and I avoid stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy, basically any place where I feel there's a decent risk of being trampled or assaulted.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I've noticed the last 2 years there are a ton of great sales at this time of year for clothes. I keep thinking, why now??? Next year I'll have to save up to do some clothes shopping in November.

http://youhavemorethanyouthink.org/ Shawanda

I love Black Friday. I'm actually looking forward to finding good deals on clothing since I don't buy many pieces throughout the year. Christmas gifts aren't something I generally do, so I'm not stressed about finding anything for anyone other than me. Oh, and I avoid stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy, basically any place where I feel there's a decent risk of being trampled or assaulted.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I've noticed the last 2 years there are a ton of great sales at this time of year for clothes. I keep thinking, why now??? Next year I'll have to save up to do some clothes shopping in November.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

MLR, good point about loss leaders.
Even a $20 toaster might be built pretty poorly, it's worth it to do your homework so you know it's a good deal versus, "Hey it's only $3!"
http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

MLR, good point about loss leaders.
Even a $20 toaster might be built pretty poorly, it's worth it to do your homework so you know it's a good deal versus, "Hey it's only $3!"
http://www.erica.biz/ Erica Douglass

Richard really wanted a new washer and dryer when we moved here in July. I said, let's stash $1200 in Lending Club and let it earn interest instead of spending it on disposable stuff. Plus, these work fine even though they are 20 years old.

Richard's socks kept developing holes. He was not happy with my decision.

To alleviate tension, I agreed to take a new, freshly earned $1200 and put it toward a washer and dryer. We found the Sears Black Friday ad and agreed to buy the HE3t set that they will have on sale for a grand+. It's right in our budget. We have to get up at 2AM, but Richard is a hobby photographer and often keeps weird hours, so it doesn't bother him.

Yesterday, the washer broke. It makes a truly awful noise now whenever you try to put clothes in it. Richard smirked when I told him.

The exciting thing is, since it's broken now, the landlord may have to cover part or all of the expense of a new one. We plan to tell the landlord about our Black Friday plan and see what he thinks.

It would be nice to roll another $1200 into Lending Club.

-Erica

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

That sounds like a great deal for a washer and dryer, and the right time to buy it.
Hopefully the landlord doesn't want you to fix the washer instead.
I have to agree with Richard on this one, washers have advanced so much in 20 years.

http://erica.biz ericabiz

Richard really wanted a new washer and dryer when we moved here in July. I said, let's stash $1200 in Lending Club and let it earn interest instead of spending it on disposable stuff. Plus, these work fine even though they are 20 years old.

Richard's socks kept developing holes. He was not happy with my decision.

To alleviate tension, I agreed to take a new, freshly earned $1200 and put it toward a washer and dryer. We found the Sears Black Friday ad and agreed to buy the HE3t set that they will have on sale for a grand+. It's right in our budget. We have to get up at 2AM, but Richard is a hobby photographer and often keeps weird hours, so it doesn't bother him.

Yesterday, the washer broke. It makes a truly awful noise now whenever you try to put clothes in it. Richard smirked when I told him.

The exciting thing is, since it's broken now, the landlord may have to cover part or all of the expense of a new one. We plan to tell the landlord about our Black Friday plan and see what he thinks.

It would be nice to roll another $1200 into Lending Club.

-Erica

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

That sounds like a great deal for a washer and dryer, and the right time to buy it.
Hopefully the landlord doesn't want you to fix the washer instead.
I have to agree with Richard on this one, washers have advanced so much in 20 years.

http://rainydaysaver.blogspot.com RainyDaySaver

I absolutely don't do Black Friday. In fact, like you, most of those "deals" are not things I want to give as gifts. The one time in my life I did buy something was a Singer sewing machine for myself, but that was definitely an exception.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I don't shop for that many people anyhow. It's mainly parents, and the kids, maybe a gift for my husband.

http://rainydaysaver.blogspot.com/ RainyDaySaver

I absolutely don't do Black Friday. In fact, like you, most of those "deals" are not things I want to give as gifts. The one time in my life I did buy something was a Singer sewing machine for myself, but that was definitely an exception.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I don't shop for that many people anyhow. It's mainly parents, and the kids, maybe a gift for my husband.

http://www.budgetpulse.com Craig Kessler

It depends on the sales and if I need anything. Granted I don't actually need anything but sometimes if there is a good deal I go for it.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

Exactly, if there is something worth it to YOU, then go if you don't mind the crowds and craziness.

http://www.budgetpulse.com/ Craig Kessler

It depends on the sales and if I need anything. Granted I don't actually need anything but sometimes if there is a good deal I go for it.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

Exactly, if there is something worth it to YOU, then go if you don't mind the crowds and craziness.

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http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

I DO do Black Friday – but not in a crazy insane shopper way. It's become somewhat of a tradition with my cousins and I. We wake up relatively early (6ish) and go out into the craziness. Our approach is much more casual – we take our time, embrace the lines, and snag a few deals. It's sort of that "introduction" to the holiday season.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

Matt, that sounds like a fun tradition. I bet it's great to have a group to go with, especially since you've done it year after year.
http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

That sounds like fun! Leaving the kids at home all day with my husband and coming home to a mess, and grumpy kids is not my idea of fun.

http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/ Matt Cheuvront

I DO do Black Friday – but not in a crazy insane shopper way. It's become somewhat of a tradition with my cousins and I. We wake up relatively early (6ish) and go out into the craziness. Our approach is much more casual – we take our time, embrace the lines, and snag a few deals. It's sort of that "introduction" to the holiday season.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

Matt, that sounds like a fun tradition. I bet it's great to have a group to go with, especially since you've done it year after year.
http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

That sounds like fun! Leaving the kids at home all day with my husband and coming home to a mess, and grumpy kids is not my idea of fun.

http://www.LilBitSassy.etsy.com Rhonda Cooley

Being a crafter, I usually make my gifts. My family absolutely loves this and it's more personal to them because I make things unique and just for them. I like to give/make things that are more useful and functional than just decorative, or in the case of kids, only be played with for a mere five minutes before the next toy grabs their interest.

And I absolutely DO NOT do Black Friday either. No way. You couldn't pay me enough to get up at 4 am and get pushed, pulled, or possibly trampled, for "great bargains". No one on my Christmas list is worth that kind of abuse. Sorry. I love my family, but not enough to go through that!

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

Rhonda, I would love to hear about your crafts! I'm always looking for new ideas for gifts.

http://www.LilBitSassy.etsy.com/ Rhonda Cooley

Being a crafter, I usually make my gifts. My family absolutely loves this and it's more personal to them because I make things unique and just for them. I like to give/make things that are more useful and functional than just decorative, or in the case of kids, only be played with for a mere five minutes before the next toy grabs their interest.

And I absolutely DO NOT do Black Friday either. No way. You couldn't pay me enough to get up at 4 am and get pushed, pulled, or possibly trampled, for "great bargains". No one on my Christmas list is worth that kind of abuse. Sorry. I love my family, but not enough to go through that!

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

Rhonda, I would love to hear about your crafts! I'm always looking for new ideas for gifts.

http://mychickaboom.blogspot.com Leslie

I don't do Black Friday either. It seems to bring out the worst in people and the worst people. Greedy and pushy is not my scene. My husband used to work in retail and he would tell me how horribly he was treated and how badly people behaved on BF. I prefer to shop leisurely and enjoy the experience. I am a serious bargain hunter and thrift shopper so I find many things early or in stores that aren't as crowded. BF is such a lemming-concept; buy what we want you to, when we tell you to, where we tell you to. I'm not much of a conformist so it really doesn't appeal to me either. Good post!

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I've worked on Black Friday as well, and while some people are kind and really seem to have the spirit of the season, there are some people that seem to save up their rudest behavior all year for Black Friday.

Do you find that hunting for bargains is worth your time? I only ask because sometimes I find myself hunting for a deal, or getting overly excited about a deal without realizing the amount of time I spent hunting was worth way more than I saved.

http://mychickaboom.blogspot.com/ Leslie

I don't do Black Friday either. It seems to bring out the worst in people and the worst people. Greedy and pushy is not my scene. My husband used to work in retail and he would tell me how horribly he was treated and how badly people behaved on BF. I prefer to shop leisurely and enjoy the experience. I am a serious bargain hunter and thrift shopper so I find many things early or in stores that aren't as crowded. BF is such a lemming-concept; buy what we want you to, when we tell you to, where we tell you to. I'm not much of a conformist so it really doesn't appeal to me either. Good post!

http://intensedebate.com/people/CentsibleLife CentsibleLife

I've worked on Black Friday as well, and while some people are kind and really seem to have the spirit of the season, there are some people that seem to save up their rudest behavior all year for Black Friday.

Do you find that hunting for bargains is worth your time? I only ask because sometimes I find myself hunting for a deal, or getting overly excited about a deal without realizing the amount of time I spent hunting was worth way more than I saved.