BLACK FRIDAY?

I know why it's called Black Friday...stores finally get a chance to get their finances into positive numbers after the entire year's balancing...but with the dreary early morning openings and the massive outpouring of cash, maybe it needs a new name. Like Zombie Friday? Benjamin Friday? Green Friday? Mad-Woman Friday? Starbucks Friday? (cuz you know Starbucks will be doing a steady business that day to keep all us shoppers standing upright.)

Sigh...part of me gets all tingly and adrenaline charged for the shopping day, the other side of me (the one who typically wins out) says 'forget it'. Anyone can find the deals offered throughout the year with a smidge of planning. Hello, hit up the late-January toy clearances for 75-90% off the overstock at major retailers like Target and Fred Meyer. I routinely stock these steals under my guest bed just waiting for the following year's round of birthday parties and holiday gift exchanges.

The one thing I get excited about on Black Friday is literally the black sky of 5am, but IN the city. A few years back, my mom and I braced ourselves to tackle the Macy's crown in downtown Seattle. We were parked by 5am and took an early morning stroll through Pike's Place before shopping. Let me tell you, nothing compared to being up before the birds at Pike's Market with the vendors setting up for the day. We hit the historic 1st Starbucks (sans line!) and a market stall offering fresh donuts in brown paper sacks (you know the one, near the newsstand...) Then we walked the 2 blocks to Macy's ready to deal with the line. We were blown away to find NO LINE. NOT A SINGLE person waiting to get in - a mere 12 minutes after the doors opened. And we're not talking because they all flooded in already.

Most masses head to their local malls, or parking lot-dominated shopping centers. Crowds fight for front row parking, "convenient" accessibility and closer proximity to home. Few people took the fun route and made their way downtown. We got our "doorbuster" freebies and walked around like we owned the place. No lines at registers, no crowds flocking for merchandise. It was bliss! It was magic! It was how shopping should be.

Think about heading downtown this year and enjoy the Christmas lights glistening off Pike Street and 5th Avenue. Stop by the local merchants booths at the market and better distribute your cash in a tough economy to the local craftsmen. Enjoy our city and it will love you back.

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STEALS & DEALS
All that being said (and yes, I will go downtown this year) here are some great deals to consider for Black Friday shopping, courtesy of blackfridayinfo.com and bfads.net

Target:
Flight of the Conchords seasons 1 & 2 - $9 ea
$25 iTunes gift card - $20
Chefmate kitchen appliances (coffee maker, toaster, slowcooker) - $3 ea (seriously?!)
Kid's board games (Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, etc) - $5 ea

WalMart:
KitchenAid stand mixer - $139
Assortment of classic movie DVD's - $2-$5 ea
HP Deskjet F2430 Printer for $25
Tons of Toys including Barbie, Fisher Price & Crayola - $5-9 ea
iPod 8gb nano + $50 iTunes giftcard - $195

Best Buy:
Blu-Ray Players from $99.99
iPod 8gb nano - $159

Home Depot:
6in Poinsettas - $1
DeWalt 47pc Drill/Driver Bit set - $9.88
Husky 32pc black nickle wrench set - $19.88
Rigid 16gal Wet/Dry Vac - $19.88
Ryobi 60pc drill set - $9.88
Workforce 50pc screwdriver set - $4.88
Mass discounts on seasonal trees, lights and decor

Toys R Us:
Air Hogs Radio Control Havoc Razor - $19.99
Hot Wheels 10 Car Pack - $4.99
LeapFrog Leapster System - $29.99
Step 2 Neighborhood Wagon - $41.99