Shop til you drop: Tips for finding deals and surviving Black Friday

Editor's note: This story appears in 'Tis the Season, the Southeast Missourian's annual publication about celebrating the holidays. Look for 'Tis the Season in the Nov. 17 issue of the Southeast Missourian.

If you're going to brave the stores on Black Friday, local retailers say attitude and preparation are key to making it a fun day.

"Don't go shopping on Black Friday and expect to get in and out in a few minutes," says Sarah Grigaitis, store leader at J.C. Penney in Cape Girardeau. "Don't have high expectations as far as speed. Be prepared. Take your time and enjoy the people you're with during the day."

Grigaitis believes that for many people, Black Friday is more about tradition and family time than spending a lot of money. But if shopping is your primary motivation, she says it's definitely worth it to shop the day after Thanksgiving.

"Oh yeah -- pretty much the best deals we'll have all year will be on Black Friday, and you can always count on some special item coming in that you won't be able to get the rest of the year," she says.

J.C. Penney will actually open to shoppers at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; Old Navy will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., then reopen at 8 p.m. Sharon Ebersohl, manager at Old Navy in Cape Girardeau, says the chain has opened for Thanksgiving Day since 2010, and people seem to like it because the crowds are smaller than on Black Friday.

Grigaitis and Ebersohl both recommend doing your research before hitting the mall: Pick up the Southeast Missourian for special fliers and coupons, visit the websites of the stores you plan to visit and scope out deals on www.blackfriday.com. Make a list of where you want to be and when, and make note of any coupons, doorbuster sales or specific items you want to find.

"Lay out the ads and make a plan based on what's most important to you," says Ebersohl. "A lot of the stores this year are opening within an hour of each other, so you have to decide what's the most important present on your list and the best buy to you at that point."

Definitely wear comfortable shoes and leave your coat in the car -- it will be plenty warm in the stores, and it's no fun standing in a long line with a heavy coat, shopping bags and purse. Speaking of purses, you might want to ditch your handbag and keep your money in your pockets, says Ebersohl -- it may make you less of a target in a crowded store, and it's one less thing you'll have to carry around all day. Grigaitis says it's also helpful to bring your own shopping cart if you have one, because many stores run out on Black Friday.

Ebersohl says many people don't bring their children on long shopping days, but if yours are in tow, bring something to keep them busy while you're shopping and standing in lines. Be sure to take breaks for breakfast and lunch, she adds.

Above all, remember that crowds come with the territory of Black Friday, so count on it wherever you go, keep a positive attitude and enjoy the experience.

"There's definitely going to be a crowd, and there's definitely going to be lines," says Ebersohl. "Plan for the wait. There's going to be a line. You're not going to be able to stand in line for five minutes to check out -- the registers can only ring so fast."