Thanksgiving & Black Friday Sales: Bargains For Both In-Store & Online Shoppers

Two years ago, my sister and I attempted our first Black Friday Sales.

We loaded ourselves with coffee and staked out our favorite stores. We found crowds, shelves emptied, hot dry air piped through the stores, and checkout lines that wrapped the entirety. We went home with one purchase; a sewing machine that I have yet to attempt but swear I will someday. For now, it sits in my closet. It became our one and only Black Friday “shopping spree.” A bit disappointing since we view ourselves as savvy bargain hunters!

The success of Black Friday is measured in terms of whether the retailers will end the year “in the black” or “in the red.” Black=profit, red=loss. Not only has Black Friday hit the internet, but it may even offer more for the avid bargain hunter. The day after Thanksgiving, and as my mother will announce every year like clockwork, “Thanksgiving is early this year” or “Thanksgiving is late this year,” Black Friday is the official kick-off to the shopping season.

What was once only a day, is now a season. Some stores offer Black Friday sales the weekend prior Thanksgiving and others are offering Black Friday prices as early as 1am on Thanksgiving Day. With Black Friday and Black Friday weekend sales, this has made way for Cyber Monday where there are sales that may not be as doorbusting as Black Friday, but certainly deserve a peek. “Doorbusters” or “earlybird” means these items may be worth the trip to the store before you’ve fully digested your turkey dinner.

Your first and possibly your only stop in the road to sale discovery is http://www.black-friday.net/. It lists numerous stores and their specific items on sale but also offers a notification system that will send you their sale ads via email as soon as they are available. Make sure you sign up! These sales are either strictly online, strictly in-store, or offered in both. There’s even a category list so you can compare prices. Walmart is offering Blackberrys with a $100.00 gift card only before Thanksgiving. MacMall is offering 12 whole weeks of Black Friday sales! Best Buy, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Lowes, Michaels, JoAnn Fabric, AJ Wright, Old Navy, Target, Kmart, Kohl’s, Macys, Tommy Hilfiger, Staples, Sears, Pep Boys, Modells, even Rite Aid. Many more, so go check it out!

Also remember to check out the Deal of the Day on specific sites. Deals before Thanksgiving are great, but remember, there are other companies who haven’t released their Black Friday ads yet so get on the mailing list. Companies like Bath & Body Works, Barnes and Noble, BJ’s, Ikea, Linens & Things, Office Max, and Zales ads will be available to you via email notification.

If you know your generous-sized mother-in-law needs a robe, go ahead and sign up for mailings from Woman Within, or if crazy Uncle Larry collects nostalgic 50’s reproduction collectibles, sign up for Betty‘s Attic. Many of the offers online are simply an email away! Also, when ordering multiple items from the same store, consider your coupon offers. I have used the same coupon code 3 times in the same day when ordering clothing by phone. Place your first item order with the coupon code, then call back and when they ask if you’d like to add to your prior order, say “No, this is a separate order” then use the same code you used earlier. It works, and I’ve saved hundreds. Try it with other stores and see if it works.

The sales are out there. Do you believe you will be the one in three to win the doorbuster race at Sears early Friday morning after practically devouring your Aunt Mable’s Table the night before? If you love the thrill of the hunt, go ahead! If you want more certainty in the comfort of home while eating leftover pumpkin pie in your jammies then by all means, get comfortable with credit card in hand. I vote for jammies! And don’t forget Ebay.

A special thanks to my friend Andy who informed me of online Black Friday sales.

Home Is Where The Pines Are

Home is where I grew up, where I learned lessons, made memories, and where the pines grow.

The Pinelands of New Jersey, better known to the locals as The Pine Barrens is where I began. At age 42, I find I am living in my mother’s old house, the house we fondly call, “The Little House in The Big Woods” named after the popular Little House on the Prairie series of the 1970’s. And yes, I had a colonial dress with matching bonnet as every girl did in the mid 70’s resembling Holly Hobbie and her best friend Heather. Or at least I hoped.

What brought me home? That’s a good question. It’s a rather long and tiresome tale. I’ll try not to bore you with the details. Let’s just say, I am in transition right now and it was most convenient to come home. Mom isn’t here anymore. Don’t despair-She lives in a lovely one-story ranch in a town that has sidewalks, neatly paved roads, asphalt driveways and a house with a garage. Isn’t that standard living? It’s not when you come from the Pine Barrens.

So what is to love about the Pine Barrens? I found it surprising when chatting it up online for the first time that people from other states had never heard the term “Pine Barrens.”

Doesn’t everyone know about the Pine Barrens of New Jersey? Apparently not. I assumed the Pine Barrens were as popular as the Ozarks, the Appalachians, hey, maybe even the Amish. “Pineys” are an unknown people to the rest of the USA. I know, shocking, isn’t it?

So, having no children to share my knowledge with (another boring and tiresome tale) I will share it with anyone who happens to stumble upon my humble little blog. I will research the history of the Pine Barrens of Burlington County and surrounding areas of Burlington County. I will share my favorite places and my favorite things about Burlington County, and perhaps even encourage the reader to visit or even nestle into the beautiful Pine Barrens or as I call it, “home.”

All photos of our Little House in the Big Woods were taken in the 1960's. Our house was one of three houses on our dirt street and had been built by a Philadelphia policeman in the early 1950's. Our home like many in Browns Mills was used as a summer retreat and served as a half-way point to the Jersey Shore. When not "down the shore" the residents enjoyed the local lakes.

October Happenings in Burlington County, NJ: Festivals, Craft Shows, & More!

It never fails. There will come a crisp evening every September when someone in my family will walk through the front door and say,

"It smells like Halloween." No explanation is necessary. We just say, "Awww, it does?"

Translation: It smells just like it did when were trick-or-treating 35 years ago with the smell of fireplaces and leaves.

There is something special about the Fall. It is a time to celebrate the year's harvest and prepare for the cold winter ahead. It's also a reminder of the upcoming holiday season.

Burlington County offers a variety of Fall Festivals, Craft shows, and Halloween activities for the whole family:

One year my sister and I stumbled upon the Cranberry Festival on Farnsworth Avenue in historic Bordentown City. I found a footstool made of an old Pepsi crate and always keep it in front of my favorite rocker. This year's festival is on October 3 and 4. They offer hundreds of crafters, food vendors, a classic car show and children's events.

October 10, visit the historic Kirby's Mill in Medford for the Apple Festival and try some home-churned apple ice cream, apple cider donuts, apple cobbler and more! Over 100 artists and crafters will have display booths with one-of-a-kind items for your early holiday shopping. Musicians will serenade you while you enjoy this fabulous annual event!

October 10 is also the Fall Home Brew Contest in Mt. Holly at the High Street Grill for tasting and judging the People's Choice, see who the professionals pick, beer tickets and a fall inspired buffet.

The Witches and Wizards Costume Ball is for adults who want to get into the Halloween spirit with fire dancers, palm and tarot readings, ghost stories, and a costume contest. Held at Mill Race Village in Mt. Holly on October 15.

The Mt. Holly Historic Prison offers Haunted Tours on weekends from October 9 to the 31st beginning at dusk.

Enjoy live music at the Celtic Café Concert on Union Street at the Friend's Meeting Hall on October 16 in Medford.
Octoberfest is to be held in neighboring Haddonfield on October 17 with over 100 crafters, vendors and skateboard demonstrations. Stop by the Haddonfield Farmer's Market for some fresh produce before you head home.

In neighboring Chatsworth, the Annual Cranberry Festival is October 17 and 18th with crafters, vendors and antiques.

My cousin informed us of a wondeful mission project. The International Gift Sale held on October 18 and sponsored by Faith Presbyterian Church in Medford, helps sell handcrafted items to support the international economy for struggling countries. It's the perfect place to find unique Christmas presents and holiday décor and it's for an excellent cause!

October 18 at 9am is the Fall Foliage Family Float Festival! (Say it 3 times real fast) Smithville is offering free canoes and kayaks for all of the family to enjoy the foliage views from the Rancocas Creek. Don't forget to check out the re-enactments and Star cyclists.

October 25 in Bordentown: Check out the Halloween Parade, a Ghost Walk, and Bordentown's House Decorating Contest.

No matter how you spend your free time this Harvest season, be sure to walk outside on a crisp autumn night and take in the fall air and know that it smells like Halloween.