Black Friday

by Katy on November 25, 2011 · 46 comments

No Thanks.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }

Heidi November 25, 2011 at 11:50 am

Amen!

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namastemama November 25, 2011 at 6:41 pm

joining the Amen choir here!

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Barb M November 26, 2011 at 9:45 am

Same here! I have avoided anything having to do with Black Friday
for years. I make/bake almost all of my Christmas gifts. I prefer that over the craziness of the day and the season.

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Karen November 25, 2011 at 11:56 am

Ditto.
Although, I am going to go to Albertson’s and buy some gift cards for $100 and get $20 on my next purchase!
Tomorrow, I have $50 FREE dollars to spend at small businesses in my area. Thanks American Express.

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faith November 25, 2011 at 12:09 pm

I HATE that Target Black Friday commercial. Is it just me, or are the Black Friday commercials more obnoxious this year? I slept in, went to the gym and filled out x-mas cards today instead 🙂

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Katy November 25, 2011 at 3:01 pm

Not just you, those commercials are freaking annoying!

Katy

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Katy @ Purposely Frugal November 25, 2011 at 12:10 pm

Love it!! This made me laugh! We did go out later in the day, just for something to do, but didn’t buy anything.

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Laura's Last Ditch--Adventures in Thrift Land November 25, 2011 at 12:12 pm

Nope, no way am I shopping today, either. I am bypassing Christmas shopping entirely.

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Kariann November 25, 2011 at 12:20 pm

You are toooooo funny! Love it.

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Megyn @Minimalist Mommi November 25, 2011 at 12:37 pm

My sister and even The Hubs tried to convince me I needed so many items in the adds. I held strong. Made some cookie dough. Ate said cookie dough. Slept in. And am still in pajamas.
WINNING!

Glad to see I’m not the only one sitting it out 🙂

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Jinger November 25, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Does shopping at the Blue Hanger count? I found a lovely white cotton embroidered tunic top, a Talbot’s shirt, a pair of hiking shorts, an Indian cotton print skirt to use for fabric and a hard back book….total price $3.59!

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Katy November 25, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Dang, that’s cheap!

Katy

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Candy November 25, 2011 at 2:43 pm

You would have to pay me AND give me the items for free to go shopping today! So far I have read of a female customer pepper spraying other customers to get to what she wanted, and of someone getting arrested for slapping an employee. I’m sure there are more stories to come.

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Thrifty Household November 25, 2011 at 3:17 pm

Not being American I didn’t have a clue what Black Friday was so I went online to do a bit of research…I think I’d be sitting it out too (maybe round at Megyn’s with all the cookies?)

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Megyn @Minimalist Mommi November 25, 2011 at 7:54 pm

There are always extras 🙂

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Mamie November 25, 2011 at 4:19 pm

I’ve been a bit of an insomniac lately, and as such, have spent a little too much time watching sit-com reruns in the dark. I HATE THAT COMMERCIAL!!! I DVRd just so I could show my husband the hatefulness of it, and then it was banished. Wednesday and Thursday night almost EVERY television ad was for some sort of “Black Friday” nonsense… makes me absolutely ILL!

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Kathleen Harris November 25, 2011 at 4:39 pm

I have no problem with buying/giving/getting presents. However, to make it sound as if the only way to save the economy and make people happy is to shop like a crazy person…ridiculous.

I will be out on Small Business Saturday, and even if I buy little to nothing, I’ll enjoy the browsing more than in the big stores.

Oh, and yeah–the Target ad is outlandish!

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Ellie November 27, 2011 at 8:20 am

Me too – sat out Black Friday, and went to ONE small business on Saturday where I acquired
1) a new, much-needed item that’s hard to find second-hand, using a special “Small Business Saturday” 25% off coupon (hubby paid for it and tucked it away to give to me as a non-suprise Christmas gift – since I had to try it on, this was the only way) and
2) exactly two used things off the store’s consignment rack that I also really had a use for, as an early Christmas gift to myself.

We paid cash, and the shopping experience at a local small business was not at all unpleasant – it was a bit crowded (thanks to the one-day coupon offer), but we were helped by competent workers who’ve been there forever and really know the merchandise. One of the clerks spent a full 5 minutes helping me locate stuff on the consignment rack.

That was enough shopping for me!

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Kathleen Harris November 25, 2011 at 4:46 pm

Forgot to say–this has made the family laugh out loud! 🙂

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Sara Tetreault November 25, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Now, I love it – I had to look up the Target ad!
Our annual big event on “Black Friday” is getting our Christmas tree. And, with the lovely weather today in Portland, I made a swag from the branches we cut off the tree for the front of our house. I tied the swag with the same ribbon I’ve used for 20 years. Take that, Tar-geh!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Katy.

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Stacie November 25, 2011 at 6:38 pm

Living in the land of the Mall of America and Home to Target: Minneapolis,
we decided to sleep in, eat leftovers and avoid all area highways and side streets until Monday.
My daughter said it best..”the lady on the tv has crazy eyes mom” referring to the Target ad…:)
Amen.

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Lynda November 25, 2011 at 7:43 pm

I just hate, hate, hate that ad…won’t be doing any shopping at Target because of it. Spent today in my jammies making homemade mac and cheese and watching great old movies…cost me zip…made the noodles, cheese, and bread crumbs…got the milk and butter from a neighboring farm…yummy!

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Megan November 25, 2011 at 8:39 pm

I spent. Locally though, so I didn’t wait in line, I got genuine thank-yous after I left and the purchases are high quality. I don’t feel bad. Handmade machine shed, tractors and implements from the local implement store, and local made soy candles.

No way would I venture out in all that craziness. Ditto about the Target commercial.

Oh, I lost a buck on a game of left, right or center. But can’t beat the family time!

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Maureen November 25, 2011 at 9:00 pm

I just find it really strange that all the news talks about for days is Black Friday and all the sales. Then when Black Friday hits, all you hear and read about is the horribleness of the season and people being their utmost in nastiness. I prefer to stay home and avoid the idiots.

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Jo November 25, 2011 at 9:06 pm

A picture and two words…

I love this post!!!

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Robin November 25, 2011 at 9:12 pm

Hilariously awesome.
I did buy one thing on amazon today – a toy for my son that finally hit a deep enough discount for me to buy it but that was it! The idea of heading out to shop with the masses – UGH.

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Patty November 25, 2011 at 10:21 pm

My Black Friday shopping consisted of hitting the 50% off sale at Goodwill. They served oj and muffins to the few of us who were there.

For $25 I got my daughter a huge bag of jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, a dress, shorts, a pair of light-up Skechers, a skirt, and more plus 3 books for her, a book for me, and a practically new Mancala game she’s been wanting. She was so thrilled with everything and I maintained my sanity … and my bank account!

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Practical Parsimony November 25, 2011 at 10:25 pm

I slept from 7 pm on Thanksgiving until 7 am Friday morning. Finally, at 7 pm, I went out to Office Max to find the store empty of people. I did buy a new camera with my Amazon cards I got with Swagbucks. It was 100% free to me. Now, I am trying to figure out how to get the Kodak copier for free that is $99 on sale at Office Max. I think I have it all figured out. Yes, camera and 4-in-1 copier both broke when I need them for secret shopper jobs! Most of my Christmas shopping was done at yard sales and deeeeep discount sales. Now, I will go find the Target ad and see the crazy eyes.

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Shelley November 26, 2011 at 12:34 am

I’ve lived in England for the past 15 years. When I left the States people generally went back to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. When I started hearing about Black Friday I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was something to do with the stock market crash back in 1929. Nope, I hate shopping crowds at the best of times. Black Friday would be the LAST day I’d choose to go shopping, I don’t care how cheap the items are. I think it just goes to show how much they are marked up to start with.

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Elaine November 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Shelley, I agree with you.

If merchants can’t make a profit for 11 months of the year, they need to do something differently. Maybe like providing quality merchandise at reasonable prices with good customer service, every day!

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Christina November 26, 2011 at 6:37 am

I am listening to the news and hearing all about the nonsense and childishness that went on yesterday. The only time I’ve participated in Black Friday was as an employee at Macy’s. That was enough to keep me away for life. I’m glad to see so many here also avoided the chaos.

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Ginger November 26, 2011 at 7:05 am

Our only shopping was at a non-profit thrift–the Bargain Box on HHI South Carolina. the best bargain I got was a Ralph Lauren silk blouse for $6.

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Jean November 26, 2011 at 9:58 am

My husband is also boycotting Target because of this ad series–this woman’s voice alone is the stuff of nightmares, let alone the manic look in her eyes. Guess their marketing people thought this was funny?
Hubby worked yesterday–the plight of the self employed service person–but I stayed home and prepared a simple soup and bread supper so we could enjoy another evening with extended family and will likely spend the rest of the weekend sewing up some Christmas gifts. I will undoubtedly do some Christmas shopping this season, but not in those manic crowds!

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Lisa November 26, 2011 at 10:12 am

I don’t do Black Fridays…or much of any type of shopping. The only thing the spastic commercials were good for was giving my adult son a laugh. I cringed and shuddered every time one came on. Awful stuff!

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Alison November 26, 2011 at 3:10 pm

Let’s re-name the Friday after Thanksgiving as National Eat-Pie-for-Breakfast Day…

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Elaine November 28, 2011 at 1:15 pm

Alison for President!

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Lauren November 26, 2011 at 3:32 pm

In my family we call Friday “Leftover Day” and it’s my favorite part of the holiday. We go hiking or do something outdoorsy in the morning to work up an appetite, then we have turkey sandwiches for lunch and watch old movies in the afternoon. Why would I even want to go shopping? No cooking, no cost–just me and my immediate family and some really nice quality time. I’m fairly new to this non-consumer, zero-waste thing, but I’ve always avoided “Black Friday”.

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HeatherS November 26, 2011 at 3:46 pm

I did venture out about mid-morning after all the crazies were gone and picked up some good deals on underwear, socks and long underwear for the kids. Not your typical Black Friday purchases but a good price on must have items. Today I shopped a craft fair of local crafters for Christmas gifts. Much more fun!

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Carole November 26, 2011 at 9:56 pm

I hate the Target woman.

I once said I wouldn’t shop at a store that advertised before Thanksgiving. I now say I won’t shop anywhere that advertises before Halloween. Where next? 4th of July?

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Ann November 27, 2011 at 12:55 pm

I truly think they may have found the singularly MOST unattractive woman in the world for this job.

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Ann November 27, 2011 at 12:53 pm

Amen, sister! I live in the part of Los Angeles where some crazy woman pepper-sprayed between 10 and 20 people waiting in a Black Friday line at Walmart. Then the calmly paid for her XBox and left. She turned herself over to the police when she saw the surveillance video. According to today’s paper, the authorities haven’t decided if she was truly afraid of an unruly crowd or whether she was attempting to gain advantage over other shoppers. Unbelievable!!!! I stayed home.

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Deb November 27, 2011 at 2:10 pm

Gawd, spent Thanksgiving at daughter-in-law parents’ home (aka Mr. Grandiose Abode & Mrs. Conspicuous Consumption) – and she actually said that she LOVES that Target commercial, then proceeded to imitate the “ring ding a ding” Dingaling’s jingle. ACK!

Btw, I have to ask – Who in their right mind serves a turkey dinner without gravy!? I couldn’t believe it!

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Ellie November 28, 2011 at 8:45 am

“Who in their right mind serves a turkey dinner without gravy!?”

My husband would, LOL! He hates gravy, and for years I have been trying to patiently explain to him that “normal people want gravy!” I’m going to show him this comment as proof! Thanks for making me laugh!

(And your description of your in-laws also makes me laugh – albeit ruefully – ’cause it sounds like some of mine!)

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Becky November 28, 2011 at 9:54 am

I spent the day small business window-browsing, shamelessly stealing ideas for things to make 🙂

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Elaine November 28, 2011 at 1:07 pm

I think that blond Target woman is hilarious, though.

I’m going to celebrate Christmas this year without my extra couch, my old computer system with 50 floppies, and 5 bags of clothing purged from my closet. And everything was donated.

Ho Ho Ho!

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Barbara November 29, 2011 at 7:59 am

I didn’t shop either, but I love the ads. I think that lady is the perfect fit for that role and she’s funny. We can all use a laugh!
But, I’m also a Target shopper b/c I save with my Target credit card.

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