May it be full of food, family and a big nap!
Black Friday Myths
Is Black Friday a waste of time? It's possible, according to the editor of DealNews.com who says you can get amazing deals throughout the month of November. Here are five myths about Black Friday 2012:
Black Friday sales start the day after Thanksgiving
Nope -- many online deals kick in on Thanksgiving Day. It's not unusual for many items to sell out even before BF hits!
Shopping on Black Friday is no different from shopping any other day of the year
BF is chaotic and it requires a strategy before setting foot in the store. Without goals, you'll make impulse buys on items that may not deals at all.
There's no need to go to the brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday
Most BF deals are available online but some are in-store offers only. "Door Buster" deals are in-store only.
BF and Cyber Monday are the only major shopping days of the year
Black Friday is the biggest day for retailers, followed by the Saturday before Christmas. Green Monday, the Monday after Cyber Monday, is slowly becoming a top shopping day, too.
BF offers the best specials...period.
Not true. Toys are cheaper starting on Cyber Monday and winter clothing is less expensive in January. Holiday decor is cheaper closer to Christmas, along with brand-name electronic items. The very best deals on HDTV's show up just before the Super Bowl.
Yet ANOTHER list: 10 ITEMS NO ONE SHOULD BUY ON BLACK FRIDAY
Game consoles without a bundled item
If you're looking to buy any of the major video game consoles this holiday, you're likely to get more bang for your buck by opting for one that comes with a few extras.
Brand name HDTVs
Don't expect the best deals to be tagged with name brands. Typically, the rock-bottom prices will mostly apply to third-tier manufacturers. Instead, brand name TVs tend to see their best price of the year in January and February as manufacturers look to clear stock in preparation for new models in the spring.
The latest digital cameras
There's no shortage of digital camera deals around Black Friday, but keep in mind that the premium current-generation models are just a few months away from being replaced by a new line of 2013 options. If you're eyeing a brand new digital SLR, it's recommended you wait until February or later when it becomes an "old model."
Christmas decorations
While not typically on anyone's "To Buy on Black Friday" list, Christmas decor tends to end up in-cart on impulse buys. But deals on Christmas items get better the closer we get to the holiday itself — and of course are the best after the holiday.
Office supplies
For several years running, office supply stores like Office Depot and OfficeMax have released Black Friday ads in the hopes of encouraging an uptick in business. Unfortunately, these deals are generally no better than those seen throughout the rest of the year.
Jewelry and watches
Much like Christmas items, there will be lots of sales advertising shiny, metallic objects perfect for him or her. But the discounts on jewelry around the winter holidays are no better than those around Valentine's Day, when baubles are at their most in-demand.
Winter apparel
If winter apparel is on your list, it's smarter to hold off until January, when those items are added to clearance sales that take much deeper base discounts.
Apple iPad mini
The long-awaited iPad mini will set you back at least $329, and if it follows the price pattern of its distant predecessor, the first generation iPad, it won't see a discount until several months from now.
Microsoft surface RT tablet
If Surface sales are weak, the tablet may instead go the way of the BlackBerry PlayBook, wherein we'll see its price fall considerably by the spring.
Toys
Many will likely be discounted for Black Friday, and it may feel pretty good to get your shopping done early, but you won't love that sinking feeling you'll get when you see those toys discounted for less about two weeks before Christmas.
Thanksgiving TV Marathons!
As if overdoing it on your dinner isn’t enough on Thanksgiving, TV networks also give you plenty of opportunities to overindulge in many of your favorite movies and shows by airing marathons of all sorts over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Duck Dynasty Marathon – Nov. 21 at 6pm-Nov. 22 at 4am on A&E.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Marathon – Nov. 21 at 6pm-Nov. 22 at 6am on TLC.
Bond Movie Marathon – Nov. 22 at 12am-Nov. 24 at 5:30am on Syfy. If Skyfall got you excited about revisiting the other James Bond movies (or discovering them for the first time), you are in luck with this two-day (with a break at 8pm on Nov. 23 for WWE Smackdown) airing of various 007 titles, which includes the first two Daniel Craig appearances as Bond (Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace); the very first Bond film (Dr. No with Sean Connery); and more.
Swamp People Marathon – Nov. 22 from 8am-2pm on History.
Castle Marathon – Nov. 22 from 10am-11pm on TNT.
Friends Marathon – Nov. 22 from 11am-6pm on TBS.
Friday Night Lights Marathon – Nov. 22 from 1pm-8pm on ESPN Classic.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Marathon – Nov. 22 at 2pm-Nov. 23 at 2am on Oxygen.
House Hunters and House Hunters International Marathon – Nov. 23 at 6:30am-Nov. 24 at 3am on HGTV.
Storage Wars Texas Marathon – Nov. 23 from 8am-3pm on A&E.
Fringe Marathon – Nov. 23 at 10am-Nov. 24 at 3am; and Nov. 24 at 10am-Nov. 25 at 3am on Science.
Duck Dynasty Marathon – Nov. 23 at 3pm-Nov. 24 at 4am on A&E.
Law & Order: SVU Marathon – Nov. 24 at 1pm-Nov. 25 at 2am on USA Network.
Extreme Couponing Marathon – Nov. 25 from 2pm-8pm on TLC.
Storage Wars Marathon – Nov. 25 at 4pm-Nov. 26 at 4am on A&E. Episodes of Storage Wars Texas and Storage Wars.
Sex and the City Marathon – Nov. 25 at 5pm-Nov. 26 at 2am on Style Network.
Pawn Stars Marathon – Nov. 25 from 7pm-11pm on History.
... Full list here.
