Black Friday Shopping Tips at Walmart + Giveaway

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Today is Thanksgiving, which means that tomorrow is Black Friday!  That’s right, one of the biggest shopping days of the year!  This holiday season, Walmart released its Black Friday savings earlier than ever before to help moms (and dads) like me and you plan our holiday shopping in advance so we can enjoy our time with friends and family.

I remember when I was a little girl, looking through the Black Friday ads the day before and planning our shopping trip for the next morning.  We’d wake up around 3:00 and head out by 4:00 to arrive in time for the stores opening up at 5:00 a.m. – yawn!  I learned quickly that planning out the items you wanted and the order in which stores were visited was of great importance for a successful Black Friday shopping trip.  I also learned that shopping in pairs or groups was great because you could spread out around the store at the same time, purchasing all the items on your list at once.  Black Friday was not something you just went into blindly – it took planning!

This year, when every penny counts, Walmart will be kicking off its in-store specials even earlier at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  Everything on your list will be available at great prices during three special Black Friday shopping events:

– 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (November 24) – Top Toys, Home and Apparel
– Midnight on Black Friday (November 25th) – Electronics!  Electronics!  Electronics!
– 8 a.m. November 25th through the weekend – Gifts for the entire family; electronics and more

WALMART’S BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING TIPS

– Don’t Forget Your Map!  Walmart is also helping shoppers plan their Black Friday in-store shopping strategy by making available store-specific maps on Facebook.  To access the map, shoppers simply need to find their favorite store by clicking on the “My Local Walmart” application on Walmart’s Facebook page.

– Match Any Competitors Ad:  Along with its full plate of Thanksgiving weekend specials Walmart promises to match the price of any local competitor’s printed ad for an identical product, including matching competitor’s deals for the day after Thanksgiving.

Walmart is inviting you to share your best Black Friday shopping tips in exchange for a chance to win a $25 Walmart gift card!!!

GIVEAWAY

1 LUCKY READER ON THE MOMMY-FILES WILL WIN A $25 WALMART GIFT CARD!!!

WIN IT!!! (MANDATORY ENTRY)

– Tell me in a comment one of your favorite Black Friday Shopping Tips!!!

EXTRA ENTRIES

– Follow The Mommy-Files on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
– Tweet about the giveaway – 1 ENTRY DAILY
– Become a Fan of The Mommy-Files on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
– Become a Fan of Walmart on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
– Follow me through Google Connect (new on the right side of the blog) – 1 ENTRY
– Subscribe to my blog – 1 ENTRY
– Add my Mommy-Files button to your blog and include the URL – 1 ENTRY
– Comment on any Non-Giveaway post on The Mommy-Files – 1 ENTRY per post comment (no limit)
– Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 ENTRIES

RULES

– Contest will close at 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, December 11th, 2011! Any entries after this time will be deleted!
– Contest open to U.S. residents only.

No compensation was received for this post.  The giveaway was sponsored by Walmart. All opinions expressed on this post are 100% mine.

896 thoughts on “Black Friday Shopping Tips at Walmart + Giveaway”

  1. Kristy H

    Bring a notebook with, big or small, with everything you want listed by store. I put times the stores are having their sales, and then organize by times and what items are most wanted. One year, I had ALOT of time on my hands, and actually clipped the pics out of the ads so I’d know EXACTLY what item was on sale! Too many times I’ve picked the wrong doll, game, etc, and it really stinks having to go back to get the correct item and wait in line all over again!

    Reply
  15. Margaret Smith

    My best tip is to be prepared and have a list and sales flyer. Also, check to see if the items you want is available online for the same sale price. Better to do shopping online than going into crowded stores.
    Thanks
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  57. Mary Beth Elderton

    I like to look online first–some of the same, or similar deals may be available without the expense and stress of a shopping trip.

    Reply
  144. Linda Kish

    I chose to stay home and sleep. But, if you must shop, go through the ads first and find the best values.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  150. Amber

    My favorite black Friday tip is to scope out which store you really want to hit up and make sure you’re there in line early!

    Reply
  151. Jennifer T.

    My best tip is to have a good breakfast and bring a buddy, You will likely get stuck in a line somewhere.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  187. Amanda

    A week ahead, create a shopping list and how much you want to spend on that item. You won’t be able to overspend.
    magickalblessings26{at}yahoo.com

    Reply
  189. Patrice Pruitte

    My tip is to check out the ads before and after Black Friday and go shopping on other days. You can get excellent bargains without all the crowds and hassle if you shop at other times.

    Reply
  222. Stephanie hodges

    My tip is to wait til the after holiday sales where the store is trying to get rid of that holiday’s items to make room for the upcoming holidays. I do alot of my Christmas Decorations and Halloween items after the holiday to stock for next year. This also includes on sale seasonal items like swimming pool items etc. Much safer than possible pepper spray or ran over in lines.

    clc_little_britches@yahoo dot com

    Reply
  226. Vicky H.

    My tip: There is no need to rush out and wait in line for everything. My sister and I went out at 4am until noon, and we managed to find a lot of good deals despite that many stores were open since midnight. If you miss out on an item you wanted, it’s not the end of the world – move on.

    Reply
  228. Kristi C

    My best tip is to check the stores online on Thursday. Many times the sales go live on Thursday and you don’t have to fight the crowds.

    Reply
  234. Lim

    Shop online and stick to a list. It isn’t a good deal if it is a piece of junk (online you can see reviews and the prices are often comparable) or if it won’t be appreciated.

    Reply
  260. Deborah Stinson

    I hate to say it, but my tip is to stay home on Black Friday. Things get too crazy and I prefer to shop in a calmer environment! I say shop online and have it delivered!

    Reply
  332. Natalie U

    my tip is dont do it, sometimes you will get better deals after black friday and in between Christmas
    pedidentalasst at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  338. Heather S

    check to make sure you may be able to get the same deal online and avoid the crowds. If not, then make a list of where you need to be and for what so you are organized

    Reply
  344. NAN

    if you can’t make it to a store that has a great deal see if someone else is going and have them pick it up for you
    nannypanpan at gmail.com

    Reply
  348. Trisha Burgess

    This year I changed it up a bit and went at 2 instead of midnight. I still got all the deals I wanted without the chaos!! I obviously want going after any of the big ticket items but it was nice to not fight the crowd!

    Reply
  379. Rosanne

    We got back from vacation a few hours before Black Friday started. I looked at ads on the plane so I was rested and ready to go. My best Black Friday ever.

    Reply
  434. *LyndiLou*

    My Black Friday survival tip is to stay home and shop online! 😉 Ha ha ha! If you ARE going to go out and brave the cold and the crowds, be sure to dress warm in layers… then you won’t freeze, but as you warm up, you can shed some of the bulk! 🙂

    Reply
  456. patricia

    My tip is to keep your slippers in the car to rest your feet while driving from the mall to home or store to store.

    Reply
  479. CherylS22

    My tip – stay at home & shop online. Same prices, free shipping (usually), no crowds, no rude shoppers, no unhelpful store employees & no lines.

    Reply
  483. Geoff K

    Having learned my lesson this year, my best tip for Black Friday would be to delegate to other family members rather than trying to get all the items from your list yourself! And if that’s not possible, be organized and prioritize the items you want to get first.

    Reply
  504. Michelle Fosnaugh

    My tip….take friends and family with you to help complete your list. Split up and have everyone with a different list!

    Reply
  515. Christina

    Arrive EARLY (most important), don’t get upset by the crowds or by pushing or crowding, and know what you want to buy the most and go there FIRST!

    Reply
  523. voucher codas

    The shopping season is definitely picking up. Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over but people are still rushing everwhere to buy gifts and get voucher codes for the holidays.

    Reply
  539. Eileen

    My tip is to have someone at “home base” to have others report to and find out what items are out, what lines are too long to handle, and do comparison online while others are out. We do this with my girls and hubby and sisters.

    thanks!

    Reply
  568. Erica C.

    My only tip is to prepare before you go to the store. Make a list of what you want to buy, and know exactly where in the store those items are…and bring a friend!

    Reply
  591. Patricia Edwards

    I like to shop late at night or early in the morning to avoid the crowds. I also buy only the the things I need and only buy my “wants” if I can afford them.

    Reply
  600. Jill Myrick

    My husband and I always take a nap before heading out for black Friday shopping. It makes us both less cranky and more alert.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply
  612. Debbie C

    Seriously, my tip is to skip Black Friday and shop on Cyber Monday. If you are a member of an online points type shipping website you can even rack up extra points for yourself and get a restaurant or other gift card to spend on yourself.

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  616. ferriz

    split up! bring friends, and a shopping list. go to different stores, or scatter in the store to get your things before they sell out.

    Reply
  622. tamatha hunter

    it was great that walmart specials started thanksgiving evening so we just stayed up late instead of waking up early

    Reply
  634. VickieB

    My tip would be to shop online for those that honor Black Friday ads online. Unless the savings is significant, don’t even bother with the crowds. If the savings are awesome, you’d better show up damn early. Personally, I have yet to be one of those who will stand out in the cold for hours for something, not worth it to me.

    Reply
  649. kathy pease

    i am not a black friday person..I hate crowds..did you see that crazy lady who pepper sprayed people on bf at i think it was a walmart..GEEEEZ my advice would be to shop online you can find great deals there also

    Reply
  660. Ann Marie Walker

    Make a list the night before and know exactly what you are shopping for when you go on Black Friday. SweepsGirl(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  668. PamelaJD

    My favorite Black Friday Shopping Tip is to shop online! So many retailers have great deals + free shipping that I was able to do 80% of my shopping in under 1 hour.

    Reply
  688. Carolyn Daley

    My tip is to avoid leaving the house on Black Friday and wait for Cyber Monday. Is saving a few extra bucks worth the hassle of waiting hours in line, dealing with crowds, wasting gas driving around for a parking spot, and not being able to find a cart to put your stuff in worth the hassle?

    Reply
  694. corrie

    i always search the internet for the best deals. and do my shopping online. my safety isnt worth saving a little bit of money. but i do love the deals

    kadia3 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  700. Jammie

    Stay home in bed! I have learned to wait to go, and if the item I wanted was still there, it was meant for me to purchase it. sweepmorey at gmail dot com

    Reply
  718. Kathleen S.

    My tip is to do most of your Black Friday shopping online. Most of the same deals, lots of free shipping, and no crowds to deal with. Thanks!

    Reply
  726. Brandy B

    My favorite tip is to go with a friend or 2 and have a game plan. Makes getting all the items each if you wants so much easier.

    Reply
  746. Anna

    To be honest, I’ve never been Black Friday shopping, so I don’t really have any tips, but I would love to still be entered if I can. Thanks.

    Reply
  748. Valerie Taylor Mabrey

    Take a list and remember to relax it will take a while and there will be lines you knew that going into this.
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    Reply
  762. April V.

    Stay home. Lol! I refuse to fight people for deals. I’d much rather just keep my eyes open all year long and get them when they are on sale then.

    Reply
  766. Kat Emerick

    Make a list of what you are looking for. Since everyone goes to Walmarts, Kmart, Target, go someplace where there are very little traffic. I did and saved $400.00. And found everything on my list.
    kat_emerick @yahoo.com

    Reply
  797. Becky S.

    I stay home on Black Friday! (I shop online or start my shopping in the summer to avoid the craziness!)
    beckytag618 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  839. Michelle Hagewood

    My best tip is to limit Christmas gift shopping on Black Friday to only a select amount of people. If you’re trying to clear everyone on your list then you will most likely be disappointed. Do a few to ensure you get everything you want on your list.

    boylaneely at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  851. Barbara Long

    One of my favorite Black Friday shopping tips is to dress in layers so you stay warm if you have stand outside in line but can remove items if the store is warm. Nothing worse than being too hot or cold.

    longbarb1@aol.com

    Reply
  870. Charlene Kuser

    To save the most, combine the primary ways to save: buy items at a good sale price, use percent-off/dollars-off coupons offered by some stores to lower that price even more, and look for items that also have a cash back rebate.

    Reply
  881. Michelle H.

    Besides shopping the sales, I advise people to keep all the receipts because sometimes I have gotten money back when the items I purchased were reduced in price during the month I bought them (if the store has that policy).

    Reply
  884. Marcy Strahan

    My Best tip is to Not fight the crowds. Shop Online & google for Bonus Off Coupons & free shipping!
    Register for emails to any company & often they will email you discount codes!

    Reply

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