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Show winter section D How to enjoy the biggest shopping day of the year BRITNEE NGUYEN Staff writer Have you ever wondered why places such as Target, ShopKo and Wal-Mart have immensely huge parking lots that are never completely filled? Or why there are so many cashier lanes that go unused? Well, there is one time in the year where every single one of those parking spots are filled and every cashier lane is open: the day after Thanksgiving. On this day, numerous eager shoppers hit the stores early in the morning for the day-after-Thanksgiving sales. This event is also known as "Black Friday." If you are considering joining this eager group of shoppers this year, there are four things to take into consideration before deciding to venture out on Black Friday. Do your research Photo courtesy of Jason Pyles A menagerie of gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for person Gift ideas for the hard-to-buy-for Since it's the thought that counts/ think of something memorable JASON PYLES Life Writer Some people suck when it comes to buying gifts for them. There are those who have everything and those who don't want anything. Sure, gift cards and cash work, but such lazy, easyway-out options are for those who are devoid of creativity and aren't worried about exhibiting the null set in the thoughtful ness department. Take the higher road: the following suggestions are guaranteed to work for these types of toughies, but also for any "white elephant," "Yankee swap" or "nasty Christmas" gift exchange. If. genuine satisfaction isn't a factor, a photograph of one's self cannot be trumped: what are they going to say? They don't like it? Self-portraits are easily mass-produced and can be distributed liberally. (Pole-vaulting poles Any shoppers guide to holiday gift giving LINSSAY JOHNSON Life writer and jousting lances are novel, but these are most conveniently stored by those who live in trailers. Pets are often discouraged as gifts, but that's because people usually give dumb animals, like dogs or rabbits: But if one wishes to be revered through New Year's, one might give a "sugar glider," perhaps the strangest creature on Earth. And if a nocturnal, flying-squirrel-like beastie isn't the right fit, win big points with a low-maintenance, pet walking stick. Nobody really knows where Sri Lanka is, so give the world by giving a globe. There's nothing cooler than a scorpion entombed as a paperweight, except for a baby great white shark sealed in a jar of formaldehyde. Strangely colored ceramic livestock seems to be making a comeback ... finally. Such pieces are especially conducive to naming: The bull in the Just as advertisers study habits and promote products according to what their consumers will relate to, businesses cater to diverse shoppers, most of which will fall somewhere within the following categories. "The Earlybird" This shopper is the cause for the "Creeping ChristThe tradition, of gift giv-? mas" phenomenon. Christing around the ^holiday sea-V mas seems to come sooner son is usually .associated .;. every year, but this shopper with a jolly, geperous figloves every minute of it. ure historically -^celebrated The Earlybird begins across the world jor delivering gifts to poor children. '. planning for the next holiIn ' a consumerist soci- day season the day afety like ours, any excuse ter Christmas and sings is a valid cause to delve "Joy to the World" in July. If Earlybird shoppers into debt and shower notdon't already have their so-poor children with . purchases finalized, they less-than-essential items. should check out Wal-Mart During this season of on Friday, Nov. 2, when the giving, retailers are only store is holding a sort of too happy to provide anypre-Black Friday, with sething one's heart could cret bargains and free gifts. desire. They take special The day after Thankseffort in calculating and predicting each shopper's giving (when the Christevery move and purchase. mas season kicks off for Each consumer is strate- the majority of shoppers) is gically categorized and tar- always an obvious chance geted by advertisers accord- to find bargains, especially ing to past behavioral trends. if shopping for electronics. Retailers CompUSA photo is "Fu Man Chu." And a new BB gun with a bag of plastic Army figures (which is not a political statement) yields hours of entertainment outdoors. Slingshots are fun, too, but accuracy and ammunition can be problematic. Foucault pendulums are fancy but are rather high maintenance; and high ceilings are prerequisite. Speaking of ceilings, find a taxidermist and hire him or her to stuff a cat and request that it is straightlegged. Mount the stuffed cat upside-down on that hard-to-buy-for person's ceiling. (This works especially well in vehicles.) Ah, Aerobie, perhaps the best thing ever invented ... it flies 100 miles farther than any Frisbee, but is, admittedly, a better summertime gift. Why do we always forget about Lite Brite, Fun Dip, Big League Chew and kaleidoscopes? Fire extinguishers are and Gap are even opening their doors at midnight on Thanksgiving to get a head start on the competition. "The Proaastinator" smart, but a weird wig is much more stimulating. Begin a relentless tradition: Each year, without mercy, buy him or her a nutcracker. Look on eBay for Loopin' Louie, which is without question, the greatest "board game" ever made. A drink mixer (aka "milkshake maker") never fails, particularly as a wedding present Two life-changing children's books that are absolute musts: The Phantom Tollbooth (1961) by Norton Juster and That Dog! (1983) by Nanette Newman. (If a kid doesn't have these literary necessities, the parents have failed.) Oh, and a couple of bottles of all-purpose Hershey's Syrup are invariably useful. And if one tends to be a prankster (or simply isn't fond of this hard-to-buy-for person), one could build a small, wooden Trojan horse and fill it with termites. most malls, free gift wrapping), Bames and Noble (books are inexpensive and personal) and Hickory Farms (specialty food baskets) all offer great last-minute gifts. Most retailers count on this shopper to be desperate and late, so they adjust closing times to accommodate the Procrastinator. Opposite of the Earlybird, this shopper is either not particularly fond of frivolity or Christmas, slightly irresponsible, or just indecisive and busy (we'll give the Procrastina'The Tightwad" tor the benefit of the doubt). Most people know these Rather than count kinds of shoppers. Tightdown the days until Christ- wads love their friends and mas, the holiday seems ^'family; but when it comes to to sneak up on this shop- >:- Christmas, they seem to have per. Many of the members a problem translating that in this category seem to love into a gift exceeding be stereotypically male. ^the value of a Hallmark card. They can be found Tightwads knit sweatravaging through depart- ers and recycle gifts from ment stores on Dec. 24, their office's "Secret Sanfrantically searching for ta" from the previous year. something ... anything! Some Tightwads are fruThese shoppers' best bet gal based on circumstance, is sticking to classic items not choice. In this case, that will always be easy to most people understand. find and always pleasing to Other than shopping their recipients: chocolate, months in advance to catch flowers, perfume or cologne, bargains, Tightwads can jewelry. Such items may take advantage of a few not create the "wow" fac- ideas that will disguise tor, but this shopper doesn't their tightwad identity from really have that luxury. even the closest of friends. See's Candy (found in Buying gifts in bulk from Black Friday is not a day for idle shoppers; it is a day for serious shoppers. Going shopping on this day without checking in advance what specific items are on sale is pointless and will waste your time. Be sure to research through all the ads to know exactly what you want to buy. Items sell out quickly, so knowing specifically what you're looking for can help you get to the item before everyone else. Prioritize what you want It is nearly impossible to go to different stores and be able to get popular items at both places before they sell out, so prioritize what items you want and go to that one store that benefits you the most. Another option is to have a friend or family member wait in line at one store while you wait at another. That way you can shop for each other and take advantage of the different sales. Prepare for a long, cold wait outside Dress warmly for your long wait outside the doors of your chosen store. Getting in line early is a smart move. Being one of the first ones to enter when the doors open gives you a better chance of getting an item before it sells out. Being early also means a longer wait, so bring some games and snacks that can keep you busy. Some stores, such as Target, are generous enough to give doughnuts or other snacks to people waiting in line. Also, be prepared for a long wait in the cashier's line when you're checking out. Remember your manners while shopping Be courteous as you shop. Don't ruin the holiday mood by fighting with fellow shoppers and employees. Not everyone will be high-spirited that day, but keep in mind that the other shoppers are just as sleep-deprived as you are and that employees do their best to accommodate the large amount of customers that day. Keep these tips in mind in order to have a pleasant day-after-Thanksgiving shopping experience. stores like Costco or Sam's Club (just make sure your recipients don't know one another), making homemade gift baskets (movie night basket, spa basket), or framed pictures (resized and printed in black and white) are all inexpensive and thoughtful gift ideas. "TheTrendoid" Not only do these shoppers know all the latest gadgets and hottest items every year, they own them before the rest of the world. Money is no object. They live life in the moment, even if in the moment Paris Hilton is telling them to wear purple Uggs and accessorize with a Chihuahua. The following are gifts you'll be receiving if you are lucky enough to be associated with a Trendoid: the Apple iPhone (Revolutionary phone, iPod, and camera, $399), Playstation 3 (High-definition game, movie, and CD player, $499)1: HP PhotoSmart R967 (Digital Camera with a "slim-V ming" feature, $349.99), T.M.X. Elmo ("Tickled Extreme", $39.99):;; "The Traveler* Around 64 million people traveled during the Christmas season last year, so this category of shopper includes a vast population. Travelers are faced with a unique dilemma: They need gifts small enough to take with them, yet these gifts should still be meaningful and personal. Online shopping and gift cards are the traveler's best friends. Almost every major retailer offers online shopping and many have an extended variety of products through their Web sites. Many retailers also offer free shipping and guaranteed delivery by Christmas, so you can order your gifts and have them delivered directly to your holiday destination. Gift cards may seem impersonal, but when paired with a handwritten card or specified to a friend's personal interest, the gift is more meaningful. It is always a good idea to invest in a gift card that will bring experiences, not things. For example, buy two concert vouchers or pedicure gift cards and share the experience with your recipient. |