Community Corner

Black Friday Plans: Eating Leftovers, Shopping Online

Will you hit the stores on the big shopping day?

By Susan Jenkins

Despite the controversy about when stores will open and all the hype about what’s on sale, many people say they’re staying home on Friday unless they have to work. When asked about a strategy for Black Friday shopping, the majority of readers who posted on Maryland Patch Facebook pages said they are skipping the stores this year.

“I go to work most Black Fridays,” wrote Molly Finch on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page. “Most of my family is within a hour's drive, so I don't travel out of town, plus it's quiet and the phone isn't ringing, so I get a lot done. And Black Friday sales are overrated.”

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Cindy Morgan’s strategy for Black Friday is to “stay home and bake,” according to her post on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page.

Joyce Marcus Weinstock plans to “stay home, eat leftovers and order stuff from Amazon,” according to her post on Owings Mills-Reistertown Patch’s Facebook page.

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Gina Cicotello wrote on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page that she is “spending the weekend in a rustic cabin, a peaceful retreat from the retail insanity!”

Robert Judge detailed his game plan on Elkridge Patch’s Facebook page: “1. Watch the Ravens Thursday night. 2. Sleep late Friday. 3. Hike in the Patapsco State Park Friday afternoon.”

“Never shop on Black Friday,” wrote Linda Pierce on Parkville-Overlea Patch’s Facebook page. “Haven't set foot in a Walmart since the '90's. Small Business Saturday all the way.”

Others suggest making the day meaningful.

“Volunteer, give to nonprofits, or spend time with family, friends, and people in your community,” wrote Maura Cleary Dunnigan on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page. “Who needs more stuff? Yuk.”

Some people did say they’ll be shopping on Black Friday—but prefer to do it online or at smaller stores.

“I wait for my sister-in-law to tell me where all the insane online coupon deals are, filter out 90 percent of those for being still too labor-intensive,” Jennifer Bishop wrote on Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch’s Facebook page. “Everyone who is ‘too hard to shop for’ gets a bushel of grapefruit. That'll teach 'em.”

Aurienne Lee said she prefers “small sellers who don't do crazy black Friday sales.” She also wrote that “92 percent of my shopping is already done” on Catonsville Patch’s Facebook page.

TELL US: Is your holiday shopping done? Leave us a comment to let us know.


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