Thanksgiving Christmas shopping may not be a legend, but is certainly a tradition for many.
Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving makes loads of sense because many stores offer fabulous one-day sales.
Tips for surviving Thanksgiving Christmas sales and getting the very best deals…
Tip #1 — Go early!
Many sales the day after Thanksgiving start at crazy hours, some as early as 3 AM. Believe it or not, people who love to shop, and even those you just love to save money, will get up and go shopping at the wee hours of the morning on the Friday after Thanksgiving!
Tip #2 — Look at advertisements before you go shopping
Most stores that have big sales the day after Thanksgiving advertise specific sale items in newspaper flyers at least a week before Thanksgiving. Use the advertisements to make your Christmas list. Know where to go for the best deal on the Christmas gifts you have your heart set on, and know what the store’s hours are so you can get in and get out before the items you want sale out.
Did you know? Some cities have declared the day after Thanksgiving as a tax-free shopping day which means you don’t have to pay sales tax! Not paying sales tax can save a ton of money on your Christmas shopping.
Tip #3 — Plan on running into (literally) rude people
When shopping sales the day after Thanksgiving, the stores will be very busy and crowded. The atmosphere can stress people out and lots of times they become very rude, pushy and grouchy. If you expect to encounter this type of behavior before you go, and you decide you aren’t going to let it get to you, you’ll have a much happier and less stressful shopping experience.
Tip #4 — Ask for a rain check
If the items you really want to buy are sold out when you go to a Thanksgiving Christmas sale, go to the customer service desk and ask if they give rain checks. If they do, they will give you a slip that will enable you to buy the item at the sale price once they get stocked up again.
Tip #5 — Have fun!
Shopping with family that is visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday can be a lot of fun. If you prefer to shop alone, go for it! Whatever your preference, your attitude is at least half responsible for whether you have a good experience or a bad experience Christmas shopping at the day after Thanksgiving sales!
