Although I assumed it would, having a child hasn’t taken away my love of Black Friday shopping. I still download my Black Friday apps, check out the newspaper ads, and get up early after a day of stuffing myself with turkey and sweet potatoes to knock out (almost) all my Christmas list in one fell swoop. It’s actually a chance for the grandparents to get the little all to themselves for a bit.
And after years of doing this, I stick by my first and most important piece of advice: be prepared. Whether you’re planning to just finish off your shopping list or get all your Christmas shopping done in one day, you don’t want to head out into the craziness with no plan. Thankfully, many stores have started extending Black Friday deals or even offering shopping online – so check that out!
So if you’re going to brave the Black Friday madness, read on to get a preview of what stores will be open and some tips on making your shopping go a bit more smoothly. And remember, be safe, be courteous, and remember that in the end, while the Black Friday shopping is fun, family is what the holidays are all about! Spend time with family and friends, and let the shopping fall in line after that.
Top Black Friday Shopping Tips
Get plenty of sleep.
A day of Black Friday shopping can be exhausting. Be sure to get plenty of sleep ahead of time. Shop around our Pigeon Forge cabins for a cozy place to call home while you’re in the Smokies, and then head to bed early for some much-needed pre-shopping rest.
Do your research.
A lot of stores offer sales on the same products on Black Friday, but not all sales are created equal. While some brands are strict about what discounts can be offered on their gear (you won’t find different prices for Fitbits at different stores), some allow stores to offer different deals. You may also find several of the deals you’re looking for at 1 store and only 1 or 2 at another. Compare ads ahead of time to see which stores have the most and best sales for you.
Shop online.
With the popularity of Black Friday growing, and the complaints of crazy in-store shopping rolling in, many stores now offer online shopping. And while getting to the stores at 3 a.m. and waiting in a line in the freezing cold was once the only way to get the best deal, that’s no longer true. In fact, I did about half of my shopping online last year and got the exact same deals they offered in the stores. See what online deals are available before you make the trip. Thankfully most of our Pigeon Forge cabins boast high-speed wireless internet for easy online shopping.
Know before you go.
While you may grab a few impulse buys while you’re out shopping, Black Friday is NOT the time to browse. Make a list of what you want to buy and not just who you’re buying for before you go out. Knowing what you’re looking for will make the day much easier, and you can always grab a few too-good-not-to-grab deals along the way.
Keep the ads on hand.
The newspapers are full of ads right before Black Friday, so it can be overwhelming to try to remember which deals were where. Take the ads with you or download a Black Friday app that has all the ads loaded. Mark what you’re looking for so when you get to each store you won’t feel so lost.
Be aware of return policies.
Especially around the holidays and on sale items, some stores have strict return policies. Read up (or just ask) before you purchase to make sure you’re not stuck with items that you end up needing to return.
Ask about price matching.
I’ve found that quite a few stores – in an attempt to bring in more business – offer price matching. That means you can take in the ad for another store and you’ll get the exact same deal there, even if they didn’t originally have that item on sale. Not all stores do this, but it’s always worth a shot. I had luck on several price-match items at Kohl’s last year, which saved me a drive to another store.
Black Friday Shopping in the Smokies
While this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, it will give you an idea of what you can expect to find on Black Friday. Keep checking online for up-to-date store lists, along with deals (TGI Black Friday is my favorite app) for the big day.
- Staples
- Walmart
- Target
- Big Lots & Kmart
- Toys R Us
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Old Navy
- American Eagle & Aeropostale
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
Also be sure to stop by the Tanger Outlets, where most of the stores will likely be open for Black Friday shopping in Pigeon Forge. Some favorites include:
- Carter’s Babies and Kids
- Disney Outlet
- Nike Factory Store
- Polo Ralph Lauren Factory
- Kay Jewelers Outlet
- LOFT Outlet
- Sunglass Hut
- Claire’s
- Fossil
- Le Creuset
- Yankee Candle
A Cozy Cabin After Shopping ‘Til You Drop
After a busy day of 2018 Black Friday shopping in Pigeon Forge, you’ll want a comfortable place to kick off your shoes, throw down your bags, and eat some second helpings of your Thanksgiving favorites. Our cozy Pigeon Forge cabins are just the place to do it! Featuring everything from fully equipped kitchens, wood-burning fireplaces, and Wi-Fi to big screen TVs, outdoor hot tubs, and game tables, they have everything you need to relax or play with family and friends!
