Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
Sign up for our newsletter by filling out the JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER form in the right column of this page!
By the time you read this, you have probably recovered from your tryptophan-induced coma, and you are at work, or at home playing, or, if you are in the United States, chances may be very good that you are standing in line somewhere waiting to check out. Today is Black Friday, when hordes of Americans who have the day off after Thanksgiving, flood stores in search of holiday season bargains.
Other hordes of Americans will be shopping online for incredible, ship-it-to-me-not-getting-out-of-pajamas deals. For years, I have been a member of the online hordes. It’s easier, but there is a drawback–you can’t touch and feel what you’re getting. Which, really, isn’t that big of a deal. As everyone who has ever bought shoes from Zappos knows, you just send it back. However, I am one of those people who is GREAT at ordering online and HORRIBLE at sending things back.
This Black Friday, I am actually contemplating a trip to Best Buy. I recently redid the playroom, and it became apparent that we needed a better and bigger TV up there. Walmart and Best Buy are advertising some incredible deals for TVS. A TV is not something I would order online. I have to see them. I have to have someone explain to me how they work. I have to cajole or pay someone to deliver and hook them up and show me how all the bells and whistles work, which Best Buy is so willing to do for you. But is Black Friday really the only day you get a really good deal? Could I maybe go the following Monday when the hordes go back to work? Better yet, are one of you actually in Best Buy? Can you look for me and tell me which one to get?
Are you a Black Friday shopper? Do you and your sisters or friends don matching T-shirts and make a day of it? Are you an online shopper? Do you shop at all? If you are venturing out on Black Friday, what is the item you are hoping to snag? How was your Thanksgiving? All the goddesses hope your weekend is happy and safe and drama free!
50 Comments on “Black Friday and the Absurd Idea to Venture Out”
You can track this conversation through its atom feed.
I seriously couldn’t think of anything worse. I like to shop in a leisurely fashion. In my Pj’s preferably.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:22 am.
Me either, Mary. I am still debating…
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:22 am.
I have always ventured out in years past with my daughter. She is pregnant now so she’d rather get her sleep. I don’t blame her. I have finished all my shopping this year. Only the second time ever I have done it early. I will be venturing out to a used bookstore today to support small business ( I realize that is to be tomorrow, but they have all books 50% off today)and that will be my Christmas present for my husband to give me. Julia, you are on my list as I have not read your contemporary works.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:08 am.
Oh hooray! Score one for me!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:23 am.
I don’t do black friday. Tried it once, too crazy….and sometimes the stores only carry like 5 of an item that they have a great price on (camera or dsi game, etc). I might do some online shopping if I can get free shipping, but I HATE to pay shipping costs!!!
I think I’m going to work today….
Enjoy, ladies!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:16 am.
Okay, that is information I need to have. I would be really annoyed if I braved it and they didn’t have the items I braved it for.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:23 am.
I am slowly getting organized for Christmas and so didn’t go out today except for the brief time that I went to look at a house since New Guy and I are wanting our own place. I wish that I could have stayed in my pjs all day but I will have to save that for Sunday because New Guy’s mum is coming over tomorrow and I really need to vacuum the carpet but I can’t because I don’t want to scare the new kitten. Yes, New Guy and I have had our little family grow with the addition of a kitten named Biscuit. She is 6 weeks old today and a gorgeous little calico queen (there are photos up on my facebook page already of her). She is a cheeky little bugger and follows me around like it’s nobody’s business. I really need to do some shopping for Biscuit and get her some (read lots of) toys such as those jingle balls, more catnip mice, dangle feathers (the sort on a string and attached to a stick), pretty much anything to amuse her and give me a laugh as I get over this darn cold that a friend of mine gave me. All I did was give her a little bit of a hug! I probably need to eat lots more garlic or something *sigh*
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:36 am.
I love kittens and puppies. How fun.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:24 am.
We went yesterday.
It wasn’t too crazy but there were only a few places that we needed to go that opened early. My MIL and niece are out this morning in the craziness. The only thing I was looking for is an artificial tree but the one I wanted was already out of stock when we went yesterday (people had apparently bought it at full price!). No rain checks. Ah well. I’m not that intense that I’m going to go brave the flying elbows to get one this morning. Maybe in a few hours as the sales are winding down I’ll go see what’s left. I have to take the kids because my husband’s working today and I really didn’t relish the thought of trying to get them up early, out the door at 4:15 to stand in line until 5, then running around in a crowd trying to keep them with me and look at products at the same time. Nope. Not gonna happen. Maybe next year.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:54 am.
Liz, I would never think of taking kids. I have enough trouble with my own attitude, LOL
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:25 am.
Went to Walmart yesterday for the first and last time ever for a black Friday sale on a 60 inch smart t.v. Never, ever again. Am still recovering from the shock of it. Have never in my life have seen so many people crammed into one space for a few dollars off and I’m still shuddering over the masses of people trying to check out. Some of them may still be there. Did it, though. Braved the madness of Black Friday, got the t.v. and survived. Was also looking for a laptop but I’m going to be one of those in my p.j.’s come Monday morning happily cyber shopping and gloating over the fact that I’m sitting in my toasty warm p.j.’s with a cup of coffee by my side. Those of you who have done this and survived I’m in awe.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 8:03 am.
Really, that bad? Another nudge to stay home and work.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:26 am.
No Black Friday shopping for me. I don’t like to shop at any time. It takes away from my reading time. We are going to take our son and his wife to the Festival of Trees. It is a fund raiser for the local children’s hospital. John spent a lot of time there as a baby and child so we go to support it and to see the lovely decorated trees that have been auctioned. It is an annual event.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 9:21 am.
Now that sounds so lovely. I should look around and see what we’ve got here and take kids.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:27 am.
I don’t Black Friday shop. I’ve done a lot of online shopping these past few years. Mostly I run out the week before and get what I need in a panic. I’ve discovered there are quite a few deals then too.
Our Thanksgiving went well. But 13 people and a 24 pound turkey later, I’m wiped.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 9:21 am.
Our thanksgiving was very nice, too.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:27 am.
I am not big on the idea of shopping period, but add in crazy crowds and people fighting for the same things, and it makes my heart race. I was going to venture out today and do a little Christmas shopping, but I learned on the news last night, that Canadian stores are having their own Black Friday sales. This in an attempt to stop people from crossing the boarder for the deals. I know it won’t be as crazy as in the US, but I am worried I will get out there and regret it.
I don’t shop online all that much. I usually stick to books and toys for the kids when shopping online.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 9:26 am.
Well Amy, if you get out and regret it, go get some decadent treat to make it all worth it. That’s what I’m going to do. If I go. Still can’t decide.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:28 am.
Great at ordering online but horrible at sending things back. Yea, you and I are alike. I don’t like shopping much so I try to do most of it from the internet. I bought a television from Best Buy via a Black Friday deal a couple of years ago. Before I hit the purchase button I went to the store and checked it out. Luckily it was after the hordes had left so I didn’t get too frustrated. To answer any question you may have asked… I do not go out shopping on Black Friday. Even if there was a monetary reward for it I wouldn’t do it. I would personally endure certain sorts of torture than to face the craziness of Black Friday shopping. I hope all of you have a happy and safe weekend!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 9:38 am.
Thanks Kelly! Maybe I will wait until later, too.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:29 am.
Happy Thanksgiving (a day late)!!
Not a black Friday shopper at all. I survived working at Toys R Us and the Apple Store during holiday seasons and it has cured me – and that was before BF became even more ridiculous. I felt bad for the woman I was chatting with the other day. She works at Target and had the fun of heading into work at 6 on Thanksgiving day to prepare for Black Friday opening at 9 and she got to work until 1 am, then head back home to sleep… then back to work on Black Friday.
I am better online (and have shopped catalogs before online became a great option) and I am better at returning things via online orders than heading to a brick and mortar for some reason. I think the UPS guy is here enough that I can just hand it to him – or drop it at the post office since I am there regularly as well.
If there is something I want to really look at in person (like a TV or something) I head to the stores after the holiday insanity (for TVs, that includes the week before the Superbowl. heh)
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 10:15 am.
But I never see the UPS guy. He’s a stealth UPS guy. Boxes just magically appear on my porch.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:30 am.
I keep a look out for mine… he’s kinda cute.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:47 am.
Sheridan, my UPS guy is cute too.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm.
I’m not a Black Friday shopper, though I will wander out to the bookstore today with my son.
I also don’t send things back.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 10:15 am.
I would like to head to a bookstore, too, but until I finish the one that is due next week, I am not allowed to pick up any other book. None. Zippo. It’s my punishment.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:31 am.
I really, really, REALLY planned to buy a new TV today at Best Buy, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t make myself get out there and fight for a TV. My new plan is to wait for the post Christmas sales and hope I can snag a great deal when everyone else is too pooped to put up a fight.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:53 am.
That’s a good plan, too. It’s only 11:30 here. I keep waffling back and forth, thinking I should do it, I shouldn’t do it, I should do it, I shouldn’t.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:27 pm.
I have never really been a Black Friday shopper. I ventured out last year (my hubby was kind enough to drive in that mess on the roads!), to get some candles that were 70% off, but I’m going to skip it this year; they’ll probably be that price, or close to it, from now until Christmas anyway, so it’s just not worth the hassle.
If I do order anything online this year, it will be from Oriental Trading, & it will be sometime between now & Monday so I can get the free shipping. I am teaching 2 religion classes instead of 1 this year, & I want to make some kind of goodie bags for the kids for Christmas.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:57 am.
Love Oriental trading!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:28 pm.
I am the queen of online shopping. I’ve never done Black Friday, though, and I just don’t see that it’s worth getting up early for. *g*
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm.
That’s my problem, too, Suzie. I am so not a morning person
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:29 pm.
I worked at Waldenbooks during Black Friday and their calendar kiosk during the Christmas rush. No way am I going out to face those crowds. I do all my shopping online except for the iTunes gift cards I find at Walgreens. The girls always want those.
Thanksgiving went well, except the Babe was a real brat. She didn’t want to eat anything except pie. The rest of us couldn’t have pie until she ate something. Bummer. I have to babysit her all weekend. If she has the same attitude that she did yesterday, she’s going to have a lot of timeouts.
Hope everyone has a great, stress-free weekend and enjoyed their Thanksgiving celebration.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
Oh, I would have DIED waiting for pie, Donna! LOLOLOL
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:30 pm.
There must be something wrong because she won’t eat anything today, not even pie. She’s acting very strange.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:56 pm.
I’m off the beach instead of the stores!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
Rub it in Kim!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm.
January is usually the best time to get deals on TVs and there’s less pressure than to chose from the Black Friday limited loss leader offering.
No, I’m not dealing with Black Friday. I’m feeling guilty about my collagues who work in stores that opened round the clock. Who has a fashion emergency at 4;30 am?
Highlight of my thanksgiving? Getting my 6yo nephew hooked on Catapult King thank you Suzy E via Sheridan.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:28 pm.
I am getting less and less inclined to do it. I have books to finish, rooms to clean, company coming…and there really is no rush. Just some great prices.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:58 pm.
I have never been a Black Friday shopper. However this year I had my first Black Friday opening at Best Buy, not as a customer but as an employee. I’m a vendor who works with Best Buy and was required to be in the store for the midnight Black Friday opening. OMG! The midnight crowds were crazy! People were outside the store with tents & sleeping bags on Wednesday! I live in NJ & temperatures at night have been in the 20′s. I think those people are crazy!
As for buying a TV Julia, outside of the doorbuster Black Friday deals (which are gone by now) there should be good discounts on TV’s throughout the holiday season. You shouldn’t have to go crazy to buy one today. The stores will keep putting out good to deals to lure in customers right up through Christmas. Dispite all the hype, Black Friday is only one day out of the year. Stores do look to make more money during the holidays, but they don’t do it all in one day.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:37 pm.
Good advice, Kimberly! I think I am going to follow it. What is at Best Buy that people are camping out to get, anyway? TVs?
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:59 pm.
My hubs has been braving the crowds for years, but last year was my first (and last) attempt at Black Friday shopping. It didn’t help that I had two pulled muscles, one in my chest and another in my back, at the time. This year we noticed that most stores had their sales online starting yesterday and so we purchased things for our kids online. However, we had to arrange for pick up because I never know when we’ll be home!
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 3:37 pm.
I think I will be doing it online. I still have made no move to get out there and don’t feel one building, LOL
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:33 pm.
This year I has been hard financially – so pay rent or do Black Friday. Up to last year I would get all my shopping done withing 24 hours – on Black Friday. When I loved closer to family, my sister and I would tag team different stores, even getting the lists from each other to be in line at different stores in town. There is a “high” that is involved, that after cooking dinner and having family, the rush of escaping and the exhiliaration of running around with two hours of sleep – only to find, before you crash, the reward of being done. This year I have gone homemade, putting love and time into each gift, and I am done early.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:28 pm.
Those are the best gifts to me, Carla
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:32 pm.
As a Canadian, I’d have to travel across the border to go shopping. While I’m close to the border, I’d still rather stay home on busy shopping days. I also don’t go shopping on Boxing Day. I prefer leisurely shopping, as I’ve got two young children, and it’s easier to push a stroller through nearly empty halls than knocking people in the ankles.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:45 pm.
That’s why I love Mondays, Cheri. No one is anywhere but at work.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm.
I did Target around 7 this morning and it wasn’t bad. They did say from 9pm until about 4am it was a crazy madhouse. Glad I waited and I still got the things I wanted. I did try Best Buy this afternoon and it was still crazy. They didn’t have what I wanted (their computers lied)so I got out of there as fast as I could. Now I’m home relaxing and deciding which book to read.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 6:42 pm.
Well for me, it was a no go. I just could not get excited about it. I’ve been working and I am going to take a fat dog for a walk.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 7:01 pm.
Ha! I worked at Macy’s for 7 years & that is more than enough to keep you out of the stores on Black Friday! I had to work today, anyway.
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:34 pm.