Nov 16, 201105:10 AMGirl Next Door
Black Friday Survival Guide: Part I- Preparation
Big Berries
I am feeling incredibly sad at the moment, as there is nothing that makes a British girl more homesick for America than Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays and I wish I could be there for it this year. Especially because last year I definitely did not take enough advantage of Black Friday. Despite being much further south than Duluth, staying with my housemate, I didn't have a chance to go wild at MOA and instead, spent midnight of Thanksgiving in WalMart. Which was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life- bargain shoppers are scary, man!
Anyway, if you're thinking of braving the Black Friday sales this year, for the perfect gift for a friend or family member, or simple for a treat for yourself, you're in the right place for my Black Friday Survival Guide. This week I will be talking you through preparing for Black Friday (because you definitely need a week to prepare!) and next week I will be going through how to actually survive the act of Black Friday.
Do not go into Black Friday blindly! In order to get the best deals (and avoid death), some preparation is required. I'm not suggesting you spend hours upon hours working out exactly what you need and want to buy (but hey, I'm not stopping you if you have the time!) but planning definitely goes a long way. Black Friday is a great chance to get some bargains, but you have to be ready for it. I will openly admit that I am not a bargain shopper, but even I would feel a little more ready for it if I felt more prepared.
Here are my top tips for getting ready for Black Friday
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Make a list of what you want
Some people would advise doing a full inventory of your wardrobe, but I definitely have far too many clothes to do that. Spend a week having a look around, read blogs and magazines for inspiration, and look at the wardrobes of your friends and family. What pieces are you missing? This is a great opportunity to indulge in classic pieces, such as tailored jackets, coats and cocktail dresses. Don't be too specific, but having an idea in mind of what you want will prevent you from going (too) crazy.
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Set a budget
This is very important. Set a budget for the day, and try to stick to it. Don't be too strict, but do think about how much you're willing to spend so you don't get tempted to buy ten $10 dresses and blow your budget in the first five minutes.
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Browse online
If you're not thinking of braving the sales, or even if you are, online sales are good to look at. It's also a good idea to have a look at the items the stores stock so you can find some pieces that you would definitely buy if they were reduced. Some online sales start earlier too, so it's good to get in there quickly.
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Research the best prices
This is important if you're looking at designer pieces, makeup, jewellery or electricals. Having an idea of the RRP will mean you'll be a better judge of whether something is a bargain or not.
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Have a plan
Obviously, you don't have to stick to it religiously, but it's a good idea to know which stores you want to look at, which ones you want to avoid, which malls you're going to hit and who you're taking with you. I will warn you, though, I know very few men who will be happy to get up at 3am to drive you to the mall and risk death with you in Forever 21. You need someone who knows you well, even at your craziest, and will give you an honest opinion.
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Check out the sales and coupons online beforehand
Black-friday.net is a great resource for sales and coupons available so you know what to expect.
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Prepare yourself
Get plenty of rest on Thanksgiving evening- you're gonna need it!
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