Ask the Readers: Will You Be Shopping on Black Friday?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Lani, Christie, and Simone for winning this week's contest!

One of the year's biggest retail events is almost upon us! Black Friday and its less chaotic sibling Cyber Monday promises deep discounts and virtual steals if you know where to look. And if you really need a new TV. The rest of us will probably still be eating Thanksgiving leftovers.

Will you be shopping on Black Friday? Are you shopping in person or online? What's on your shopping list this year? What is your favorite Black Friday shopping tip?

Tell us whether you are shopping on Black Friday and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Guest's picture
Ashley

No way. I have never understood the appeal of fighting off mobs of shoppers to supposedly get a "deal" on items I don't need anyway. especially now that Cyber Monday is a thing. I'd much rather look for deals online and avoid all of the crowds!

Guest's picture
Patches

No - I am going to avoid all the craziness by going to the library.

Guest's picture
Elle

Yes, I plan on going shopping on Black Friday but I'm not going to go crazy or anything and get up at 4am and shop all day long.

Guest's picture
Sonja Johnson

If I shop at all on Black Friday it will be online. I hate fighting the crowds and can get better deals online.

Guest's picture
Gina

If I shop on Black Friday it'll be online. It's too dangerous in stores. People get crazy.

Guest's picture
Debra

At this point in time, I don't have any plans to shop on Black Friday. I'm basically done with my Christmas shopping, so unless I see something that really makes me want to get out there and shop, I will be refraining. I do often go and pick up a couple things, but it is usually long after those waiting in lines have come and gone.

Guest's picture
Ernest S.

No, not this year. I may wait for Cyber Monday, but otherwise, it's too much stress to try to snag a crazy deal at the stores or online.

Guest's picture
Theresa

I will NOT be shopping on Thanksgiving - I will be spending time with my family. I will also not be shopping on Friday - there is nothing that we need so badly that I would subject myself to the crazies that will be in the stores that weekend. Yes, some people enjoy it, and it's a tradition with them, but I'll pass, thanks. :)

Guest's picture
Elena

I will not be shopping on Black Friday

Guest's picture
Mary Happymommy

I don't plan to shop on Black Friday. I much prefer Cyber Monday!

Guest's picture
Denise L

I am not shopping on Black Friday...just not worth it. Deals to be had all season long!

Guest's picture
Julie Wood

I will be shopping on Black Friday this year. It will be tough. Shop with a friend so one can get a cart, so you can get your items fast and have something to put it in.

Guest's picture
Guest

In a word, No. Are you kidding?

Guest's picture
nicole dz

I will not be shopping on Black Friday, I will be spending time with family.

Guest's picture
JoAn V.

No! I am blessed to have almost all of the presents for my family and friends. I will stay home and read.

Guest's picture
Christy

Yes, Not necessarily to get good deals, but just to enjoy watching other people act crazy.

Guest's picture

I always celebrate Buy Nothing Day after Thanksgiving.

Guest's picture
Jessica

No. I never have and probably never will.

Guest's picture
vanessa e

I wont shop on Black friday because the crowds are too crazy. However I love cyber monday with free shipping!

Guest's picture
arleneinaz

Nope. I've been doing my shopping over the past year a little at a time as the deals come up. No need to fight the craziness!!!

Guest's picture
SJHS

Nope. Not a chance. This year -- as in years past -- most of my Christmas shopping will be done on the Internet from the comfort of my home, with my dachsie curled up beside me, visions of dog treats in her head. I first started shopping on the Internet about 3 years ago when back problems made walking extremely difficult. The back problems are minor now. But I love shopping online without all the crowds and craziness. I love being able to shop thoughtfully, comparing prices and reviews. Even better, I love being able to take care of gift wrapping and shipping with just a few keystrokes. Merry Christmas to all ... and to all a good night!

Guest's picture
Robin

Nope! I'll be camping with my family. Yay!

Guest's picture
Betty

I'm done shopping, and wrapped too! No Black Friday for me. I hate the cold, the crowds, and the traffic. I did some of my shopping on line, some in person. I like to stay home that day with good food, and binge watch tv in my pjs.

Guest's picture
an g

I'll be shopping at home in my pjs :)

Guest's picture
Liisa

Nope, no money to spend. :) Plus I hate crowds...

Guest's picture
Darcy

No way! I hate the whole mentality of consumerism - Black Friday shopping literally puts people in danger, all because they need more stuff.

I plan on staying home with my family and enjoying the days off. I wish retail workers could do the same.

Guest's picture
Audrey

During college years ago I worked at a retail store at a mall. Every employee was asked to work essentially a night shift, mine began at midnight. It ruined both Thanksgiving and the day after for me. I'm sorry to learn this trend has gotten worse where employees have one of the few family holidays taken from them. So no, I won't be shopping Black Friday. I'll shop online on Monday and donate to charity on Tuesday.

Guest's picture

I might, but just to bring joy... I've been on the other side, and sometimes the workers just need a good laugh.

Guest's picture
Lynn

No, I'll be one of the poor suckers on the other side of the counter listening to the cranky customer who got up at 4am or worse, never went to bed after Thanksgiving.
That and the screaming kids who have been stuck in a stroller for way to many hours.

Guest's picture
Jennifer Marie

I may do a little shopping on black Friday.

Guest's picture
KelR1

No. I've never been a Black Friday shopper. Unfortunately, I'll be working that day. In retail. Pray for me.

Guest's picture
Alyssa

Nope. I'll be camping!

Guest's picture
Martha

Yes...maybe...possibly not. It depends. Will the relatives make me?

Guest's picture
lostAnnfound

Yes, but I will go mid-morning, as I usually do. I do not try to get in for the "door-busters" that stores advertise because it is just too crazy. And I will shop at the two smaller malls in the college area a few miles from us because it is always much easier to park and get into the stores than the larger mall the next town over.

Guest's picture
Guest

No way would I engage in this insanity.

Guest's picture
Chuck

I am going to pass on Black Friday shopping. I am not sure it's the best way to get a good deal and I do not need a $29 blue ray player badly enough to wait in line before dawn.

Guest's picture
Lani C

No way!

Guest's picture
Donna Sako

No, I will not be shopping Black Friday. I hate the crowds and fights over stuff. Not worth the grief.

Guest's picture
Guesterica

Yes! I go every year but not super early

Guest's picture
Guest

Unlike last year, I don't need anything this year, so I don't plan on going out super early. However, my boyfriend and I will likely go out after the mad dash has ended to see if anything is left over and to just see other deals.

Guest's picture
Louly

I haven't decided yet.... I have yet to see a price on the items that I'm seeking that is low enough to warrant getting up early and standing in line...

Guest's picture
Kelly

I always go shopping on Black Friday with my sister. We have a blast. I will not, however, shop on Thanksgiving day. This is a day to be thankful and spend time with family. The retailers are forcing consumers to choose between getting the best deal and spending quality time with loved ones. That totally defeats the purpose of Thanksgiving. It's Black FRIDAY...not THURSDAY. Be safe everyone!

Guest's picture
Karen L. @love2lovemykids

I won't be shopping. I dislike crowds and the deals aren't that good anyway.

Guest's picture
Ingrid M.

No, I stopped a few years ago. My sanity is worth more. I'd rather shop for deals online now. ;) I plan to spend the day with my 2 yr old son since I work full-time and take him to one of those indoor jumping facilities then grab lunch!

Guest's picture
Guest

Nope - absolutely not. I'm not a fan of mobs or being torn to pieces over a toaster.

Guest's picture
cwaltz

Nope. I'm almost done with all my Christmas shopping already and I don't see fighting the mob to save $5 on a blanket. If the deals are still there it was meant to be-if not I guess I save for a little more to get it for full price.

Guest's picture
Guest

Not worth the hassle for me! Can't handle the madness.

Guest's picture
Holly Sanford

I am a Black Friday shopper and the main reason is to grab those deals since I'm always on a tight budget. I have found though that over the past few years I've noticed that you don't usually have to get up at the crack of dawn to get the best deals, you can go a little later in the day when the crowds have thinned out and still get your bargain, which is nice.

Guest's picture
Susan Smith

I don't plan to shop on Black Friday. I hate crowds. I much prefer Cyber Monday

Guest's picture
Guest

No way will I go out to shop on Black Friday. Anything I need can be purchased online. Those "doorbusters" of limited merchandise are simply a ploy to get shoppers in the door.

Guest's picture
Diane

Definitely online. Not sure about in the stores... it depends on what I want or need that I might get at a reasonable time. Not going out in the middle of the night for sure!

Guest's picture
Beth Anne

Yup. It's a family tradition. But we're not out to find any "awesome/crazy" deal if we find cool stuff it's awesome if we don't it's okay. I like to people watch and talk to the people. It's entertaining. We don't have family in town so it makes the holiday interesting.

I'll also be buying some things online I'm sure. It was more fun in our last city because we used to see TONS of people we knew LOL

Donna Freedman's picture

Not sure yet. I will definitely be at Walgreens on Thanksgiving morning, to take advantage of some free-after-rebate items, but most of my shopping is already completed because I buy all year long.

Guest's picture
Dee Dee

Yes, it is a tradition, my daughter and I have been doing it for many years.

Guest's picture
Christie

I imagine. I used to love shopping at our local Walmart when Black Friday sales actually were on Black Friday -- it was SO quiet in there in the middle of the night, the best shopping time I would have all year. Now it is chaos, so I might skip that since I don't need any big ticket items! But we'll see what things I might like.... you never know.

Guest's picture
Matt

Unfortunately I will be working

Guest's picture
Liz

I will be, but online!

Guest's picture
Rebecca B. A. R.

Nope, I'll probably be working, just like I am on Thanksgiving. I only have my husband left to buy for anyways, thank goodness.

Guest's picture
Susan P.

I usually don't shop on Black Friday but will shop on Cyber Monday.

Guest's picture
Mary W

I will be shopping from my computer. I have been waiting and have finally found some great deals on big ticket items that are on early Black Friday internet only sales. And free shipping.

Guest's picture
Guest

No way. I am going to relax at home. The traffic is crazy and there are too many people in the stores, and I don't think the sales are that good anyway. I will be shopping on Small Business Saturday, however. I would rather patronize small businesses.

Guest's picture
Happy Love

I won't go shopping in the stores, but I'll probably check out some deals online.

Guest's picture
Laura J

I will not be shopping in the stores on Black Friday, but I might do some online shopping!

Guest's picture
Vickie

I am not shopping on Black Friday

Guest's picture
Suz_Glo

I will definitely not be shopping on Black Friday. I love a deal but I've noticed that the month of December offers up plenty! I will try to get out on Small Business Saturday, though.

Guest's picture
Beth

Yes! I enjoy going out for a bit with my family, and sometimes track down deals online as well. No arm wrestling or waiting for hours in line, but I do enjoy being out that day.

Guest's picture
Kris g

No, I'm just about done with my shopping. I've been stuck home in a snowstorm for the last four days and had plenty of time to shop online! If i did shop on Black Friday, it would be on my computer. I went out once, saw the lines all the way to the back of the stores, and turned around and left. Not worth it to me.

Guest's picture
Crystal Rose

We only do online shopping during that weekend.

Guest's picture
Lynda

i'm working black friday so probably just online shopping or go after friday.

Guest's picture
Sherry

I've never felt the need to shop on Black Friday and probably never will.

Guest's picture
BRB

Probably not, I hate crowds!

Guest's picture

I honestly prefer Cyber Monday!

Guest's picture
Carmen

No. I don't care for crowds and feel I can find as good deals if I just watch sales throughout the year.