Nov 18, 2008

Black Friday Shopping Memories And Traditions

One Thanksgiving my mom was visiting for the holidays. While perusing the newspaper she noticed an advertisement in the paper for the talking Elmo doll. That year everyone wanted to get their hands on that doll. We all agreed to get up at about 4 a.m. to get in line to try and be one of the few to be able to purchase the Elmo doll. Well, we overslept, and didn't make it to the store until about 5:30 a.m. Consequently, by the time we got in the store, they had sold out of the doll. But we had so much fun that year.

Each year my husband and I peruse the papers to see what the stores may be offering. We don't do a lot of gift shopping. Truthfully we will often find great bargains for ourselves. This Black Friday we will probably shop for items for a golf vacation we are planning to take in late December. Some of our favorite places to shop are at discount shopping outlets like the Birch Run Outlet (in Birch Run, MI) and the Holland Town Center (in Holland, MI). After our shopping is complete, we always go to one of our favorite restaurants for a pancake breakfast.

Do you have a favorite Black Friday memory? What special Black Friday traditions do you and your family have? Where do you most often shop?



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Comments

Nov 19, 2008 11:10 AM
Guest :
Yes fond memories is always shopping with someone you love and for
choosing gifts for the ones we love. I do remember one particular Black
Friday in the late 1980's, I was working then so that was perfect time
for me to shop for my family for Christmas. After shopping and bucking
the crowds as in NY the stores are very crowded that time of year. I was
so tired and holding so many packages for my children, I couldnt wait to
get home. But as I opened the doors from the dept. store, there was the
first snowflakes, it was so beautiful i forgot how tired I was. All I
can think of I couldnt wait to see my children's faces when they opened
the ones I bought for them that day. With a smile on my face I forgot
how tired I was. Thank you for letting me remember.:-) Hildy
Nov 23, 2008 12:04 AM
Guest :
My son and his friend took advantage of a pre-Christmas sell in his hometown. Large screened t.v.'s were being sold at half price and of course the quantity was limited. My son and his friend practically camped out until the store opened at 5:00 A.M. The crowd rushed in and it was a mad scramble. My son was elated at his success to obtain his t.v.
Nov 24, 2008 4:51 AM
Guest :
I grew up in Northwest Indiana about 1/2 hour out of Chicago. Most of my family lives in the city. My fondest memories come from the family tradition of going to downtown Chicago (The Loop) on Black Friday. The major department stores always had their themed Christmas scenes in the store windows. The windows were very elaborate - colorful, sparkly, imaginative. There were toy soldiers, and elves, and every kind of oversized stuffed animal that moved mechanically through imaginative rooms. It was wonderful! Although times have changed and the stores have been sold to other stores I have tried to carry on the tradition with my children whenever we are in the area that time of the year. The scenes seem smaller and less elaborate or maybe I'm just larger and more realistic. But, those memories are still held deep in the recesses of my mind. After leaving the Loop, we would visit grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was always a great weekend!
3 Comments