The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving can be very stressful for some. Not just because of all the prep work that goes into hosting a big meal at your house. But because of what happens after. No, I’m not talking about cleaning up. I’m talking about Black Friday Madness. You or someone you may be close to may be suffering from some of these symptoms.
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Realizing the 7 Early Signs of Black Friday Madness?
Did you download a smartphone app or even started to cut out adds with everything you want to buy?
Has your Holiday budget doubled or tripled because you can’t pass up all the great deals you’re getting?
Have you looked at your list and realized that half the stuff on there are things you don’t need?
Have you downloaded the store’s layout and mapped out where everything you wanted is? Or better yet, gone to the store the Wednesday night and scooped it out personally?
Have you coordinated with a shopping buddy and handed them a walkie-talkie? You never know when you be in a cellphone dead zone.
Did you move up the timeline for Thanksgiving dinner to finish by noon? That way you could stand in line at your favorite big box store?
Are you not sleeping at night because you are thinking about you plan of attack? Or worse, having dreams about fighting others for things in the stores?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these things above you may be suffering from Black Friday Madness. Or the even more dreaded Greedy Thursday. I’m not completely innocent here. I have done it all. I used to love Black Friday. The rush of the store opening and running in to grab something. It was so much fun. But now that I’m a little older, I’ve come to realize that half of my purchases were things that were not much of saving. They would break shortly after, or I realized that it was stuff that I didn’t even want in the first place. I started to feel that I had to buy something because it was ‘Black Friday’. This year, I’m not falling into the trap. If you suffer from the same affliction I have, I challenge you to STOP.
Small Business Saturday
Start by thinking Small this Friday Thursday. Go out to a Small Business. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is known as Small Business Saturday. Small business all over the country will be offering special deals. By shopping small, it keeps the money in the communities. Small Business are all over the state. But for the best variety, I recommend going to Grand Avenue in St. Paul.
Grand Avenue
From Snelling Avenue to Dale Street you will find amazing small businesses that offer unique gifts your family will love. The best part is these are all things that you will not find at a Target.For the women in your life pick up some bath products at Garden of Eden. For specialty gifts, check out Atelier957. Looking to spruce up the walls, check out Grand Hand Gallery.For the men try Stogies on Grand. For the outdoorsman, you’ll want to head over to Fjallraven.For the cooks, St. Paul Cheese Shop. Golden Fig Fine Foods and Cooks of Crocus Hill are both selling the specialty tools and ingredients.For the younger kids, Baby Grand and Creative Kids Stuff. For those a little older check out Red Balloon Bookshop. Mischief Toy Store if perfect for the older kids that haven’t wanted to get rid of their toys yet.To refresh along the way, head over to Sencha Tea Bar, French Meadow Bakery and Cafe, Colossal Cafe, Cafe Latte or Emmett’s Public House.During the holiday season, Grand Avenue transforms into a winter oasis. On December 3rd they host their annual Grand Meander Festival. Shoppers are greeted by carolers on the street as they go from shop to shop. Kids can meet Santa and take a classic trolley car ride. The street is filled with holiday lights. It’s a great time to get out.I challenge you all to stay away from the Black Friday Madness and stick with Small Business Saturday. Even though it may not be a Saturday, shop locally. Not only is it good for Minnesota, but it’s good for the families and the communities. Another great bonus is that you’ll have something unique! This Friday, I’m going to be sleeping in. I’m going to get up and grab a cup of coffee and cuddle with my children on the couch. What will you be doing?
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Jennifer A Singer
Minnesota native and Midwest travel expert Jennifer provides insider tips and budget-friendly trip ideas for families looking to explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Through her travel blog DayTripper28, she draws on first-hand experience to recommend the best hidden gems, outdoor adventures, road trips, and weekend getaways around Minnesota and the Midwest. With her passion for uncovering local flavors and culture along the backroads, Jennifer shares affordable itineraries for creating memorable experiences across the region.