A Guide to Black Friday Shopping – And a Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway

Make sure to read all the way through to enter to win an awesome vintage-inspired dress from Shabby Apple!

First, let’s get this out-of-the-way. I am not happy about Black “Friday” now starting on Thanksgiving Thursday. Not because people will have to work, people have always had to work on Thanksgiving – Stadium workers, refs, anyone working the Macy’s parade, etc. No, no, the reason I don’t like this speed up is that it has taken the sport out of black Friday.

It used to be I would enjoy my Thanksgiving, go to bed, and set the alarm for 3:30 a.m. to make sure I was at the outlets when the doors opened at 5:00 a.m. It was a sport, my Olympics if you will. But now you have stores open all day Thanksgiving, and opening at all different times during that day…and SO much controversy. It has really sucked all the fun out of my favorite day of the year (Black Friday, not Thanksgiving).

Update: I just found out that because of the Blue State Laws in effect in Massachusetts, stores cannot open in the state until midnight on Black Friday morning – problem solved!

Regardless, I am still planning to participate in the festivities, but not until it is ACTUALLY Friday. I thought I would share with you all some of my tips to making black Friday FUN, not a tedious chore.

TIP #1: No agenda
This may be a controversial tip, and I’m okay with that. The reason I have fun shopping on Black Friday is because I don’t go camp out and stand in line all day to have my heart broken when that ONE item I wanted is sold out. On Black Friday I shop for ME. I head out to the outlets and I shop around and see what the sales are and what I like. With this method there is no disappointment, only glee and excitement when I find something I love at an incredibly good price.

TIP # 2: Bring a Backpack
Now, how are you going to agile and quick with your hands full of packages? You’re not, so don’t try. A back pack is the easy solution. Carrying a backpack means you don’t need a purse and you can stuff your packages inside, hence taking all the stress out of shimmying through the crowds. And when your backpack is full, head to the car to empty it out and get going again.

TIP # 3: Bring Snacks & WaterThe lines for refreshments on Black Friday are often longer than the lines for purchasing the bargains! Avoid any hangry mishaps by making sure you pack some snacks and water in your backpack. Then, when you are ready for a little rest, you can wait in one of the lines to get more nourishment.

TIP #4: Choose your Shopping Companion Wisely
This is extremely important. Shopping is not for the weak of heart or feet. And you need to know your limits. If you are the type of shopping who can go without a bathroom break from the time you arrive at 4:30 a.m. until the time you leave at 4:30 p.m., you definitely do not want to be shopping with your friend who wants to sit and have a coffee every 30 minutes. Let’s be honest here, not all friends are shopping friends. You want to finish Black Friday with gaining bargains, not losing a friend.

These 4 tips are just the tip of the iceberg, but they should get you pointed in the right direction to enjoy your Black Friday as every great shopper should!

And now, a great giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago, I received an awesome vintage-inspired dress from this cool online store, Shabby Apple. I was so impressed with the quality and cut of the dress I received, if I didn’t know better, I would have thought it really was vintage clothing. 

And now you have a chance to win a dress from Shabby Apple! One lucky winner will get to select what dress they would like from a list provided to the winner from Shabby Apple. To enter, (mandatory) please visit Shabby Apple’s website, and come back here to leave me a comment telling me what your favorite item is (make sure to include your email address). For a bonus entry, tweet about this contest including @renh77 and the link to this post: http://wp.me/p44hIm-SB, make sure to come back here and leave a comment saying you did so.Make sure to get your entries in by Sunday, December 1 @ 8:00 p.m. EST. The contest will close at that time. Winner must be located in the Continental USA. Good luck!

Fine print: This prize is non-transferable and has no cash value.The winner will select the dress they would like to receive from a list provided by Shabby Apple. The winner will only be able to select a dress from the provided list.

Happy Eating!
–  Renee Hirschberg