I’ve seen several BF posts scattered throughout so I thought I’d reconcile them and see if anyone has some interesting stories.
My mom and I went out at about 6 AM this morning to the mall and got a parking space 2 spaces from the door. It seemed like any old day at the mall traffic wise (later figured out that we were simply between rushes). We don’t do the door buster sales but we got some really great deals on things we needed/wanted and are giving for presents. Like I said in another thread, this is my one day a year shopping trip so Old Navy has handsomely contributed to my wardrobe today.
Tomorrow we’re going out for SBS. I’m hoping to find a place that will handcraft signs and ornaments as it’s Mr R and my’s first married Christmas and I want to make a “MyName-HisName Family Christmas” sign of some sort as well as an ornament with our wedding date and all that. I realize now it’s getting late but I’d rather turn it over to a local artist than send it out on order so we’ll see.
But my favorite part about BF shopping? Hickory farms starts opening up their stands and I am a sucker for their cheese. Last I looked, you can’t just buy the cheese from the website so it’s always a first stop on my list.
So what about you guys? Any great deals or “interesting” stories?
We went to the mall, where S bought some Apple products and because we spent over a certain amount, they gave us $10 gift cards, pastries, fruit and coffee and water for breakfast. We also went to CVS, which had a discounted BF Mac nuts, plus grand opening discount coupons, to save another $9. H wanted to go to Home Depot but turned around because crowd was too fierce. We went later and got a tool bag, gloves and a few other things he wanted. We also went to Costco, where I bought HI food items I will be putting into care packages for loved ones.
Bought some things online–Land’s End, Nordstrom’s Rack, Amazon and Icebreaker. Last Saturday, I bought two nice sweaters–one at Ann Taylor and another at JC Crew, as well as a nice hoodie for nephew. All were on sale and I could check out the quality and fit. Also bought wristlet at Ross that fits the bigger phone D has (her existing one is too small for her big phone.
D and I hit our very large, department store sized Goodwill midday and the entire store was 50% off. D got all kinds of Christmas decorations and is in the living room right now putting them up. In her Santa fleece robe that we got today too. Most interesting was a vintage set of the original “Rudolph” TV special characters-the only ones I’ve found online are in the $100 plus range for fewer pieces-she paid $2.50. She also found a pair of dress shoes for the winter ball next weekend for $6 and a pair of new Nikes for $10.
While we were out, H put up the outside Christmas lights. When we got back, all of us headed to the mall, and got a parking space right at the door. D bought her dad a Star Wars watch (he’s obsessed), and they both got winter jackets. Both really needed them so it was nice to get them at good prices. D also picked up several things for friends and cousins. She enjoyed being able to spend and budget her own money on them.
The only interesting thing that happened is that we saw a teen go running past us in the mall, followed by a cop. He’d apparently stolen something. We didn’t hear any commotion after that, so I’m not sure of the outcome.
Purposively, little BF shopping for me. The only stop was a trip to the craft store (JoAnn’s) so D2 could buy some supplies for a gift she is making for her roommate. We all did end up buying odds and ends Christmas stuff at prices 50-70% off - outside bows, a lighted tree topper, ribbon, etc.
I did do a little online shopping - some good prices on Amazon for a video game my son wanted (35% off) and D2 had a list from ModCloth wear I registered for the site and got $20 off of $100.
We had some thoughts about going to Ann Arbor tomorrow for some fun SMS shopping at Kerrytown and Treasure Mart (a large antique/consignment shop) and such but realized today that the UofM vs. Buckeyes game is tomorrow at noon. May not be the best day to be looking for parking downtown! If not there, we will do some small business shopping just for fun at a small suburb locally.
@abasket we literally did the exact same thing. I forgot about the game and had mentioned going to AA to look at their local markets especially for the handicrafts I want. (Thankfully, the Michigan Mafia on my facebook reminded me of the fact that “THE GAME” Is tomorrow.) Guess we’re sticking around these parts…
My husband needed a few shirts for work. We went out in the afternoon and found some at Kohl’s. Also got som PJ’s for the kids–they get new ones every Christmas. Hit Target and found a couple of more gifts. Then we went for a beer.
Tomorrow I think I will check out a locally owned party store because I need something to wear to a costumes-encouraged holiday event. And probably a couple of other stores as well.
After feeding everyone, I sat and poked around the internet in the morning. Neiman’s site was a disaster, lol. Could not handle the traffic, so the extra 33% off sale that was supposed to end at noon got extended! After several tries, I got a polo shirt for Mr. and the dress I already bought… this time it was way cheaper. So the original purchase is going back to the store!
Kiddo went out and bought some presents for the cats, then she took my bus pass and disappeared. I suspect she hit the mother lode at the downtown H&M.
I bought a lovely purple headband at the football game today and later picked up two discounted tickets for the St Nick’s holiday wine tasting at the wineries near us.
I’d planned on heading over to our vacation place after the game, but mom went into the hospital this afternoon which put a stop to that plan. So tomorrow I’ll head downtown to my favorite indie bookstore where they’ll have a number of local authors as booksellers and spend a few $$ on books. (We always, always have a book in/with our Christmas stockings.)
I didn’t do any shopping today. The only thing that tempted me at all was a 20% off coupon for BB&B, but you had to be in the store by noon and I couldn’t get motivated enough to get out the door in time. DH got some New Balance online, BOGO.
I have Monday off, so I’ll see what kind of Cyber Monday deals I can get. I’ve already done most of my Christmas shopping, so if I don’t find anything I’m ok with that. I’ll be participating in Giving Tuesday.
My sense is that Black Friday doesn’t inspire quite the degree of hysteria that it did a few years ago. And I noticed that a handful of large retailers didn’t open their doors on Thanksgiving evening. Good for them.
I was the delivery driver for our small business on Black Friday so no shopping for me…I will do it again today if SBS is a good one and it helps my husband seal the deals
Went to the local outlet mall about 1pm yesterday. While the parking lot was packed, the stores did not seem too crowded except for Coach and MK. Banana Republic had 50% off as did Chicos. Yankee candle had good sales and coupons. I used to see people loaded down with shopping bags, but did not this year, (unless they all came out on Thanksgiving evening. Will go to downtown area today to some of my favorite little shops. Plan to be back in CT in 2 weeks, (just in time for the Dooney and Bourke tent sale).
We always participate in the giving tree at our church, the food drive and basket making and delivering of food and the santa toy shop at a local soup kitchen.
Did a bunch of on line shopping yesterday and today. If I get motivated I’ll go downtown to a clothing boutique I like for small business Saturday but IDK.
For you AA people. My S’s gf is from Ypsilanti. Her mom scheduled an eye appointment for today 11:30 at Briarwood. Lol!
Did some online shopping yesterday. Got a handbag as well as a festive top for holiday parties. D got lots of good deals on the Antropologie site and almost finished her shopping.
I will be going to a small business today- a shoe repair place which hopefully can fix the zipper on my favorite boots.
I’ve only shopped online so far. Chanukah is early this year, so I need to be done soon. Found the mixer DIL wanted further reduced online at Target, so that’s done. Got S2 the video game he wanted online at Best Buy. The game was sold out online Thurs, and is sold out online today, but i guess I got in during the sweet spot yesterday when it was available for 50% off.
DH is planning to hit the mall today. Traffic near there yesterday wasn’t as bad as I expected, but I still wasn’t tempted to go there.
Hey @romanigypsyeyes - we were in Ann Arbor yesterday at the Shinola store! We were planning to go today instead but the potential crowds scared us away. Instead, we’re going to the movies while the game is on - I figured the movie theaters should be empty.
I never, ever shop on Thanksgiving weekend but S is home and he needs a microwave, so we’re going shopping for one today. It will be his Hanukkah present. Also going to Home Goods to look for an area rug for the guest room, which I’m redoing.
I read something interesting, the article in the Times said that tracking prices on Amazon, for example, that they saw a distinct trend, that in October they raised prices and then on Black Friday the price was dropped pretty much to where it had been, and likewise that tracking of prices across the retail spectrum showed that more than a few ‘black friday’ prices were nothing that great. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any great deals out there, there are, but you have to be careful. I also was just reading something that retailers are expecting a lackluster holiday shopping period,and it is likely you will see a lot of discounting over the next several weeks.
abasket, football games that interfere with shopping should be outlawed! Lol.
So many sites could not handle the traffic yeaterday. Farfetch crashed last night, too - I gave up and went to bed. It seems to be fine today. We shall see.
