5 Ways to Prepare for Your Black Friday Shopping Spree

There are two more days until the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday.

In the early 2000s, it was even more of an event than it is now. People would wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. to line up at their favorite stores. You'd have to fight to grab the hoodie you craved from that shop at the mall. Thankfully, it's not as intense in 2024, but it still can be extreme for the casual shopper.

As you head into the day of crowds and discounts, continue reading to discover five tips and tricks to prepare yourself for Black Friday.

Avoid Peak Crowd Times

If you're not looking for anything specific, you might want to avoid heading to the stores at opening. All those most intense shoppers will have lined up by the crack of dawn and snagged their most coveted items. Keep it low-key by strolling into the shops mid-afternoon or evening. You might have fewer options, but it beats having to weave your way through the swarm, especially if you're browsing.

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Bring a Face Mask and Hand Sanitizer

Despite the mandated COVID-19 vaccines, you can still catch that pesky illness. We also can't forget that your common cold and the flu are still rampant. Since Black Friday shopping brings crowds, the odds are at least one person coming down with a sickness. Keep yourself safe and healthy by masking up, and don't feel embarrassed about cleansing with hand sanitizer after you exit the stores.

 

Also read about: 5 Holiday Shopping Strategies to Find Christmas Gifts With Ease

 

Have Your List Ready to Go

To minimize your shopping time, come with a limited list of items. This way, you can learn where the item is and avoid perusing every last shelf. If it's a hot item for the season, you'll also know how early you need to get there. Now—to resist window shopping for 100 other items.

 

Cyber Monday Is Always an Option

If you're totally turned off by the idea of Black Friday but don't want to miss the sales, you still have a chance to get what you need on Cyber Monday. The discounted price might not be as good as the Black Friday deal, but it beats buying it at full price. You'll have to be a pro, though, because you'll be competing with the entire country rather than just your hometown.

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Sales Aren't the End All, Be All

Not lucking out on Black Friday or Cyber Monday isn't the end of the world. Yes, it's nice to know you could save money on usually expensive items. But you can still purchase whatever it is in December, January or maybe another year from now. After all, they're just products.

 

Do you have an Instagram-worthy haul? Click HERE to discover the best social media captions for your Black Friday shopping pics.