Round 1: Start Training
• Make your “nice" list. After Thanksgiving dishes are done and before you drift off into a delicious tryptophan coma, start your preparations by making a list of people you need to shop for. Write out ideas of presents they’ll love. You’ll appreciate this step come the 4 a.m. shopping-day wake-up call when your brain hasn’t quite woken up yet. (If any of your loved ones have online wish lists, check them for tips!)
Need gift ideas? Check out great gifts for him, fab finds for her, teen and kid-worthy presents, and awesome gifts under $25!
• Familiarize yourself with the best local bargains. Next, browse circulars in your local paper, or research sales announcements for steals you won’t want to miss. Bring the ads and your shopping list with you to the stores for easy referral. Also find out if your favorite stores are hosting online sales, since you can shop those without even getting dressed, never mind jumping into the proverbial ring.
• Give yourself a budget.Guestimate how much money you need to spend to buy all of your gifts, and add in a little extra for unexpected finds and a few treats for you, like a fun statement necklace or a fab new belt. After all, you deserve it! Also, if you don’t want to exceed your allowance, bring cash and leave the credit cards at home.
• Make an itinerary. Prioritize which sales are most essential—and are likely to have the majority of gifts on your list—then hit those in the order of importance. We love Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Target.
• Pack sustenance. Who has time to pause for lunch when there are deals to be had? Throw some lightweight snacks into your bag, like nuts, energy bars, or candy, the add water and a few ibuprofens. A pro shopper never falls down on the job, and sustenance is the stuff to keep you standing.
• Leave the kids at home. Tiny tots will only slow you down and get you off your game.
• Go to bed early. Serious shopping requires stamina. Get a good night’s rest so you can go 10 rounds and then some.
• Wake with the moon. Stores get swarmed by 9 a.m., producing hour-plus waits at the checkout. Check store hours online and plan to get there at least a half hour before doors open, which in many cases can literally mean the crack of dawn—or earlier.
• Get in, get out. Black Friday is not the time for casual browsing. Stick to your shopping list and itinerary for efficient buying power. You have the rest of the holiday season to window shop pretty displays and flip through catalogs. This day is all about killing it and moving on to your next target.
• Defend your belongings. Like in any crowded situation, it’s important to keep track of your purse and shopping bags. After all, opportunistic thieves rely on the holidays for a spike in business, too.
• Be a good sport. Yes the deals are insane, yes shopping crowds can be stressful, but remember Santa is watching, so try your best to be good to your fellow shoppers—unless she’s got the last Kate Spade. Then, all bets are off! (See some of our favorite bags!)
Round 3: Go to Your Respective Corner and Prepare for the Next Round
• Take stock of your loot. Even with this expert strategy, you may miss a few deals. But there’s no need to worry. You’ve got two days to recuperate before Cyber Monday, when the online retailers throw their best sales.
• Find out who’s having online sales and when they start. The options are endless with sales on everything from beauty products to computer programs. For instance, Philosophy is offering a free gift, valued at $100 with any purchase of $75 or more and free shipping on November 30 and December 1. Enter the promo code magicandhope at the checkout to snag this deal. And Corel has amazing deals on more than 15 computer programs, including 60% off on PaintShop Pro. The sale runs from November 17 until the end of day on November 30.
• Craft an itinerary for which sites to visit in which order. Some sales are only good until a certain time so plan to hit the sites that have the earliest expiration time first.
• Get helpers to snag stuff that will go immediately that you know you want.
• Buy yourself a treat. (We love to splurge on a new headband or a flattering top for the holidays.) With all the money you’ll save this season your bottom line won’t even notice.
Check Out More From Kaboodle:
Top Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Stylish Fashion Steals You Have to Have NOW
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Shop the Most Popular Holiday Gifts
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
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