While we’re old pros at Black Friday Survival, we decided to get some outside input from the hands-down pros of deal finding… moms! We asked 21 bloggers’ readers for survival tips and got, no kidding, THOUSANDS of tips. Here are our favorite 63 tips from our favorite 21 mommy blogs

Enjoy. Be safe. Pack light. GET DEALS!

Without further ado, please enjoy our 63 Black Friday Survival tips!

 

3 Tips From: http://keenlykristin.com
1) Name: Lauren R
Tip: My favorite black Friday was back when they had true steals & deals. As I remember we went to 6 different stores before NOON and I had all my Christmas done under $200. That was a glorious day. People at the stores were pretty awesome too, a lot of helping each other out. I went with my best friend but working as a team with other shoppers made the day so much more fun.

2) Name: Natasha H
Tip: My most memorable was working it….I learned one thing….people are nuts! When you go out this year keep in mind all the poor retail workers that would rather be home with their families enjoying the weekend, instead of working….and if it wasn’t for them being at work you would have no where to shop!

3) Name: Anita P Stoudmire
Tip: I ABSOLUTELY love Black Friday! It is a tradition in my family to get ALL of your Christmas shopping done on this day! We have an army of folks with us and we use our battle plan like we are trying to win a war! We always get good deals on this day but a couple of years ago I actually won a $500 gift card that they were giving away at the mall! That was DEFINITELY my best Black Friday!

3 Tips From: http://www.tetheredmommy.com
4) Name: Kelley C
Tip: my favorite tip is to be friendly and smile, somebody is carrying an extra of what you want in their cart and they’re going to hand it over to the nicest person they see.

5) Name: Margaret Smith
Tip: My tip is to search all the flyers for each store and also online for the best deal. The one item that you need/want the most is the first one to try to get.

6) Name: Amber
Tip: my best black friday tip is to not forget the drugstores, like CVS and Walgreens. I avoid the crazy department stores, but get great freebies from these stores w/o the big crowds. And last year you could get the CVS deals starting Thanksgiving morning.

3 Tips From: http://www.dealseekingmommas.com
7) Name: Mami2jcn
Tip: My tip would be to browse the store prior to Black Friday and even ask for a store map so you know where items on your list are located aisle by aisle. That way on Black Friday you know exactly where to go.

8) Name: Bridget M. Nelson
Tip: Get a team of people to go w/ you, have your shopping lists ahead of time, then have people divided up to go to wait in line at different stores – that way you have a better chance of getting everything before everything is gone lol

9) Name: Debbie Hopkins Chase
Tip: My Black Friday tip is to take a large beverage with you so that you don’t dehydrate.

3 Tips From: http://freesamplefreak.com
10) Name: Tina
Tip: Definitely stay calm if you venture out on Fridays and I only bring the credit cards that I will use with as little in my purse as possible. I don’t want to carry the extra load and I don’t want a pick pocketer to have any opportunity

11) Name: Tamara B.
Tip: My best Black Friday tip is to enlist friends, get together one afternoon go over each other’s list, map out your plans and give each friend a list. We all pick up gifts on our route on the lists, meet up afterwards for lunch and pay each other for what they picked up for us. It cuts down on time, and we always get everything on the lists too.

12) Name: Brandi
Tip: avoid aisles with people standing around talking. If you can’t do that, try to remember your manners as you maneuver through and/or around them. Getting mixed up in the social aspect of Black Friday is a bad idea. Yes, you see everyone you know at Walmart or Target, but call them when you get home after you’ve finished your turkey sandwich.

3 Tips From: http://www.thelifeofrylie.com
13) Name: OneRabbit
Tip: I like to go to the store a day or two in advance to try on clothes and check to see where everything is. It cuts down time later on Black Friday!

14) Name: SnowflakeDay (Audra)
Tip: My tip is to wear comfortable shoes! The last time I shopped all day my feet were killing me.

15) Name: April
Tip: Shop at places like Walmart, Target or Aafes that price match and do all your shopping one place

3 Tips From: http://www.mommylivingthelifeofriley.com
16) Name: Heather C
Tip: I think the best tip, seeing how people act on Black Friday, is to leave the young and elderly at home. People are crazy nuts on Black Friday, and if someone small or slow is in their way, they don’t care! I’ve seen it!

17) Name: Eileen
Tip: Take fully charged cell phones, watch ads to see what stores open when and plan accordingly, have 1 person at home to make calls to stores from a “base” or see online if there are others items at better deals. Make sure you eat and hydrate. Set a time to end and stick to it. It’s not worth it if you end up sick over it!

18) Name: Melissa K
Tip: I suggest wearing a bright shirt, so you can be better spotted when separated from your shopping companions in the crowd.

3 Tips From: http://familyfocusblog.com
19) Name: Geoff K
Tip: My tips would be to scope out stores beforehand, preferably a couple days before, to get up to speed on the layout and location of items; to delegate to other family members to hit as many departments (or other stores) as possible; and to park in the far end of the lot to make getting out of the parking lot easier.

20) Name: Carla
Tip: Go early and don’t drink anything if you’re going to have to wait in line.

21) Name: Nik
Tip: Carpool! Get together with others to visit outlets and malls…saves gas, time, money, reduces pollution and is so much more fun!

3 Tips From: http://realmomsrealviews.com
22) Name: Jessie C
Tip: Shop online to avoid crowds, use coupon code and go through cash back sites to maximize savings.

23) Name: Heather H
Tip: My tip now is since all these stores are opening up the night before go and shop until the morning around 5am-you’ll still miss most of the crowds

24) Name: Heidi Gloudemans
Tip: Plan it out, go in and get only what you “need” and get out quickly so you can move on to your next plan of attack. Fortunately, stores are opening at various times so it is feasible to be at the beginning of the line for two stores. Dress warm and comfortable. It gets cold outside at 4am.

3 Tips From: http://www.darcyandbrian.com
25) Name: PatrickJ
Tip: Remember the workers had to be there even earlier than you, be kind and many will go out of their way to help you!

26) Name: Sarah
Tip: Clean out your car or trunk beforehand so you have room for all your purchases

27) Name: Elizabeth Owens
Tip: Wear more at least two pairs of socks, because your feet will freeze while you are waiting in line!

3 Tips From: http://www.shibleysmiles.com
28) Name: Tracy Gnann
Tip: Bring COFFEE!!!

29) Name: Cathy
Tip: My best tip is to shop early in the day, and avoid the stores where people camp out – early at departments stores is a great time to find cheap clothes, and there’s hardly anyone there!

30) Name: Kim
Tip: Relax & have fun with it – – you know what you are getting yourself into & at least you are not at work!

3 Tips From: http://www.momstateofmind.com
31) Name: Anonymous
Tip: i am going to wait until late then go

32) Name: Anonymous
Tip: to go with my mother in law and split up the line waiting!

33) Name: Ashley
Tip: Make sure I am willing and prepared to shop for whatever it is I want! If i’m unprepared, it’s pointless for me to even make the trip out!

 

3 Tips From: http://www.simplybudgeted.com
34) Name: Jennifer Rote
Tip: My favorite tip is to do a walk through the day before and see where your planned purchases will be located.

35) Name: Connie Gruning
Tip: Wear layers!! Early mornings are so cold, but as the day goes on it heats up!!

36) Name: Ashley H.
Tip: My tip is to go with friends and each head in separate directions to get the shopping done quickly.

3 Tips From: http://thecaffeinecoquette.com
37) Name: Yvette
Tip: The key is to be simply be efficient. Have a list (items you want to buy, things you need to take with you to the store) , spot the bargains , keep an eye on the clock (there are many sales that are limited to a time frame ) and wear comfy shoes!

38) Name: Geoff K.
Tip: My best Black Friday tip would be to stake out your potential stores to get a feel for the layout and location of different items, and to scour the net for any clues or hints about where certain high-ticket items are likely to be. I also like to get to the first store early and then park at the end of the lot to make it easier to escape and get to the next destination on my list!

39) Name: Telperien
Tip: The trick is hitting the right stores at the right times. I’ve found that toy stores and kid-related stores tend to be busier first thing in the morning, while women’s clothing, cosmetics, and other adult-type stores are busier in the afternoon. That could just be my area, but it seems to work better for me if I do my grown-up shopping early on then do my kid shopping later in the day.

3 Tips From: http://www.motherhoodsupport.com
40) Name: sleesmith
Tip: Black Friday, Plan, plan, plan; shop with a buddy, divide & conquer, keep your list & ads w/you. I always have mine in an all together in an organizer w/my lists by store that I can refer back to quickly in case there’s an alternate item offered or there is a question at the checkout line. Handy for price matching as well.

41) Name: Jenny
Tip: My black Friday shopping tip: if you head out early to get the good sales, make a priority list of what you really want at that price & second, & so on. Then we you get in the store, go directly to that section & then the next, etc. Don’t start at one end & just shop until you’ve gotten or tried to get your must haves!! If you shop with teenagers, have them go in onesies tip  one store] for you while you hit the other!!!

42) Name: Linda
Tip: Check out all ad’s while cooking dinner, then plan to start out really early. Make sure that you have a big cup of coffee to go and take your time. Enjoy the day.

3 Tips From: http://momsonlinegaragesale.com
43) Name: Amber
Tip: My Black Friday tip is to prioritize where you want to go and make sure you are realistic about the lines and wait times. Also, go with friends you haven’t seen in a while so you’ll have lots to catch up on while waiting in line!

44) Name: jessica corr
Tip: My blackfriday tips are to:
1- Bring small snacks and drinks with you, it could be pricey and time wasting to stop and purchase unhealthy snacks and drinks.
2- Bring a small coupon organizer or envelope to store your receipts.
3- Sit down for lunch. You will need this time to charge your brain.
4- Save your (not that great of a deal ) items for another day. Just focus on the great deals on your list!

45) Name:Amanda Kinder
Tip: Make a list ahead of time with alternatives just in case something goes out of stock quickly.

3 Tips From: http://www.thefashionablegal.com
46) Name: Cori Westphal
Tip: Don’t go it alone! I usually get together with a group of friends, decide what we want from each store, then split up. That way we can be in 3 or 4 places at once!

47) Name: Yvette
Tip: Carry a digital watch at all times ! One needs to keep an eye on those sales that end early!

48) Name: Linda Kish
Tip: Figure out one or two things you really want and go for them first…I usually go for electronics to start. Those go quickest. If that’s what you want a deal on, line up really early

3 Tips From: http://www.southernbellaswaystosave.com
49)Name: Rebecca Shockley
Tip: Know exactly where in the store your item or items is located, this will save you time

50) Name: Heidi Tarling
Tip: Comfortable shoes, a good list, lots of caffeine, snacks & layers of clothes!

51) Name: angie
Tip: Unless you are looking for something in the door busters portion of black friday, go later in the day. I went one year around 4pm and got all I wanted from the ads and the shops were DEAD!!!

3 Tips From: http://www.myokcmommy.com
52) Name: rauzi87
Tip: My tip is keep track of what time stores open, what store has the best deal and BRING YOUR COUPONS!!!

53) Name: latanya
Tip: Make a list of everything you want and have a back up plan if something is not available at the store when you get there.

54) Name: heartnsoulcooking
Tip: My Black Friday shopping tips are PLAN, REST the day before, take water and snacks plus NO KIDS!!!

3 Tips From: http://theorganicblonde.com
55) Name: Breanna
Tip: I loved the BlackFriday Preparedness guide! This year, I am making a spreadsheet of all of the things that I want or need. I figure if I plan out exactly what I am getting down to the color, I can get in and out faster and have a better chance of getting what I want. Another thing that will help me get in and out is a map of where hot items are.Walmart will be doing this again this year. Happy Shopping!

56) Name: Heidi McMahon
Tip: My tip is to have Hot Handz – those disposable hand warmers. It get’s super cold here while waiting in line. They also make boot warmers that are also great to have. Fun giveaway – thank you for the chance to win!

57) Name: laurie damrose
Tip: Since I always have my beloved smartphone handy ,while I’m running the stores power shopping I check out the other stores bargains and purchase from my phone to save some time.

3 Tips From: http://lookwhatigotforfree.blogspot.com
58) Name: Tiffany Drew
Tip: My best tip is to do as much research as possible and write down what you want at each store. Then categorize your lists based on where the items are in the store. This will save you time if you just run through each isle knowing what you want instead of having to double back repeatedly!

59) Name: shel
Tip: I keep a large envelope to hold all my receipts while I’m shopping. This way I don’t run the risk of losing a receipt and I can keep tally of how much I spent (and saved) and the end of the day.

60) Name: paige wernoch
Tip: The most important thing to remember is to have fun! If you don’t get the exact gift you wanted its not the end of the world. My daughter & I go every year and we always have fun, we shop then stop someplace for breakfast or lunch and just have a blast together!

3 Tips From: http://www.thanksmailcarrier.com
61) Name: guette178
Tip: My best Black Friday tip would be to try to delegate different items, departments, or stores to other family members so you can score your wanted items simultaneously – or if you’re going to different stores alone, park in the end of the lot near the exit so you have a better shot of a clean getaway to get to your next destination!

62) Name: Jessica W
Tip: My best tip is to hit up the drugstores! they always have tons of freebies after rewards and aren’t nearly as crowded. You can make up great spa gift baskets to giveaway for pennies!

63) Name: brianpiero
Tip: Thanks for the giveaway…our Black Friday shopping tip is to gas up the car the day before…research the sales thoroughly beforehand…make your shopping list…then stick to it when you shop !!!