Black Friday is a delicate balancing act between scoring as many great deals as possible and not turning into a crazed shopping Grinch. It’s not a day for amateurs, so we hit up Dana Holmes, editor-in-chief of Gifts.com, for some expert tips on saving money and sanity.
Buy thoughtful gifts, not cheap stuff:
Keep your receipts
Bum a ride: “I’m a big advocate for carpooling,” says Holmes. “Go with your shopping buddies and you can save a parking space and gas, which is a hot commodity right now.” Not to mention, it’s nice to have company in the parking-garage traffic — because oh, yes, that is a real thing that happens.
Cross-check for online deals: Some deals, such as doorbusters, are strictly in-store offers. But increasingly, retailers are offering the same sales online with plenty of perks. “If you see something you like, check it out on your phone — sometimes it can actually be just as cheap to buy it online, get it shipped and get it gift-wrapped for free,” says Holmes. “Then you don’t have to lug it around all day.”
Don’t fake being an early bird:
Gift-list assist: Before you make your list and check it twice, head on over to Gifts.com and take the gift “personality quiz.” It can help you figure out what to buy for your picky fashionista sister before you melt down at the Cinnabon stand.