Six Ways To Spend Black Friday
Posted by: Amelia McDonell-Parry
Filed in:
news
10:15AM, Friday November 28th 2008
Happy Black Friday everyone! Hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous and fattening and as devoid of family drama as possible. It is a straight up miracle that I was not up and out of bed this morning at 4am, ready to raid the stores like the shopaholic that I am. But you know? I had an epiphany in the middle of the night. There are so many BETTER things to do on this lovely Black Friday than battling long lines and psychotic deal lovers—after the jump, five things you could do instead today that will be relatively bruise free. (Seriously, I just saw a news report that said a man was TRAMPLED TO DEATH when a Walmart opened this morning.)
1. Shop Online: Look, I am not THAT reformed. Shopping online may not have the instant gratification factor or the ability to try things on before you purchase, but I can guarantee no one can trample you on the internet. And, often the deals are just as good. For example, there’s this puffer coat I really want at J. Crew and if I buy it online I can get anywhere between 20-30% off (depending on what else I put in my little shopping cart). Also, participating just a little bit in Black Friday spending is, like, good for the economy or something.
2. Learn The Entire “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” Dance Routine: Shane Mercado breaks down the routine from Beyonce’s music video which took many of its moves from Bob Fosse’s “Mexican Breakfast.”
3. Go To A Museum: Chances are, the museums will be almost as crowded as the stores, but people don’t trample each other to get a look at some Jackson Pollack mess. Museums are safer AND more cultural, plus, if you’re just dying to spend, you can hit the museum shop on the way out.
4. See A Movie: “Four Christmases,” “Twilight,” “Australia,” and “Milk” are all in theaters this weekend. I’m going to movie hop and see all four!
5. Read A Frickin’ Newspaper: There’s a seriously horrible situation ongoing in Mumbai, India. Read about it and feel blessed.
6. Put Off Your Post-Thanksgiving Diet: You have leftovers to eat. Seriously, I am not starting my 14 day cleanse until Monday, after I’ve inhaled every morsel of turkey, potatoes gratin, and stuffing chillin out in my fridge.
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Humble Bee
wrote on November 28 2008 @ 10:30 am: [report]
Ha. I love this list. I didn’t sleep all night, just so I can stay awake at 4 am to go to black friday, but right at 3:40 I decided to go to work instead and get paid! So here I am, shopping online
and pretending to work. AND I am totally learning those moves, did you see their asses???
Simosa
wrote on November 28 2008 @ 10:52 am: [report]
I’m so learning this dance. Shane as the teacher - is awesome!
Rachel Kramer Bussel
wrote on November 28 2008 @ 11:48 am: [report]
Great list, Amelia. The trampling story was one of the first things I saw when I went online this morning and I’m pretty horrified. I love NYC but am kinda happy to be in Austin where it’s pretty mellow.
I love shopping online, because it’s easy and fast and there’s a huge selection, and also cause I think getting mail is among the awesomest things in the world, and like to give other people mail. So that’s my pick.
I am going to spend Black Friday exploring the local cupcake scene and trying to sort out my relationship.
Lynn
wrote on November 28 2008 @ 09:26 pm: [report]
Well, I spent Black Friday at the vet with my doggie. The downside: instead of shopping, I got to hold a seriously freaked out dog while the doctor repeatedly stabbed her and shot medicine down her nose. The upside is that everyone else was out shopping, so for once we weren’t rushed and we got a lot of quality attention. Hooray!
Oh, and then I took a three hour nap, during which I had a horrible nightmare that I can’t fully remember right now, and I also succeeded in pissing off my boyfriend accidentally. I accomplished a lot today!
bookgrrrl
wrote on November 29 2008 @ 12:12 am: [report]
how about volunteering at a soup kitchen or shelter or for some other npo that needs some help?
Amelia
wrote on November 29 2008 @ 12:29 am: [report]
@bookgrrrl That is a lovely idea. Although it seems to me the day that the soup kitchen really needs help is on Thanksgiving Day! Christmas is coming up though!