by Laura RupertPrepare yourself. As soon as the turkey has been eaten and the dishes cleaned some Long Islanders will start making their Christmas lists so they can start shopping on Black Friday. Black Friday has notoriously been one of the holiday season's busiest shopping days and with plenty of discounts and extended hours by retailers Black Friday on Long Island this year will be nothing but a success.
There are some things you should plan on, however, before getting out and about this Black Friday. First of all, make a list. Know what you need to buy and where you need to buy it from. The last thing you want to do is wind up in a store just shopping around. The stores are crowded and there are too many people looking for specific items to really enjoy the shopping experience. Instead, look through the newspaper for ads of the different items that will be on sale. Make a list of what you need to buy, how many, and where. Then, you can set out shopping. That way when you arrive you can just pick up what is on your list and keep moving to the next store. Otherwise, you might go over your budget or not find what you are looking for.
Next, find out when the stores open. Some stores on Long Island will be opening at midnight while other stores will open really early in the morning around 5 am. If you know what time the stores open and when the special discounts are offered then you will be more likely to buy the gifts you want while they are still in stock not to mention save more money by taking advantage of the many discounts and sales.
Finally, when you head out on Black Friday make sure you take your patience with you. There will be lots of people shopping, traffic will be crazy, and finding a parking space will seem nearly impossible. But, if you plan ahead and are prepared then you can really take advantage of Black Friday on Long Island, buy lots of early Christmas gifts, and save a lot of money, too!
