After we’d totally gorged ourselves on our deep-fried turkey, we sat around in a tryptophan-induced coma for a while, played some games, and let the kids watch a movie in Grandpa Gary’s office. As the evening went along, the kids grew restless and so to give Manina and her dad some time to chit-chat, I took the oldest three kids out shopping the early Black Friday deals.
Now, I don’t like shopping all that much. I view it as a necessary evil. I don’t like spending money in the first place, and I quickly tire of the looking around, walking, trying-on, waiting in line, and dealing with cashiers. Shopping the early Black Friday deals is another level of hell altogether. I’d much rather be home munching on leftover turkey and pie. But that’s just me.
Jake, Megan, and Katelyn must have heard stories of epic deals because they were very excited as we left Gary and Kathy’s house at around 8pm. When we arrived at the Bloomington Walmart, the kids were flabbergasted at the number of cars in the parking lot. We made the trek into the store, where I pointed out the end of the checkout line (which started at the door, wrapped all the way around to the back of the store before heading up to the cash registers).
Nevertheless we walked around and checked out all the deals. Nothing was very exciting since all the real madness had probably been at 6pm when the store opened. Megan wanted to look at clothes, but was crestfallen to find out that not everything was on sale. I explained that there were only a handful of items that were worth buying. So, after perusing for a half hour, we hid a couple items (which we came back and purchased the next evening when there wasn’t a line), and moved onto the next store.
Target was much the same experience as Walmart, and I could feel the kids’ enthusiasm waning. Which was good, because I was already thinking how nice it would feel to be snuggled up in bed. We left without purchasing anything.
The Gap, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Old Navy were our last stops. Each one got progressively faster as the kids figured out this early Black Friday shopping thing wasn’t all that fun. In Old Navy, Katelyn found a gumball machine full of bouncy balls and spent two quarters for two bouncy balls. Finally, we had purchased something — we didn’t get a huge discount, but at least we didn’t have to stand in line!
On the way home I stopped and bought them each a hot chocolate from McDonalds. We were home by 10pm. Mission accomplished.
Early Black Friday Shopping Haul:
- McDonalds: $6.40
- Old Navy: $0.50
- Total: $6.90
- Discount: $0.00 (0%)
Now, that’s my kind of shopping trip.
MightyJohnsons 