Happy Black Friday, friends! The Chicks thought we’d share what our dream Black Friday buys would be. Read on to see what might motivate us to brave those crazy crowds.
Leslie Karst
In elementary school, I would have immediately said, “A horse! A real live horse of my very own!” But by junior high, this would have been replaced with: “The chance to buy a ticket to meet—or, better yet, marry—Paul McCartney!” And in high school, I would likely have been willing to camp out overnight in a parking lot simply for the fun and adventure of doing so, irrespective of the great deals being offered the following day. Now that I’m a grown-up, however, it would take something truly important—say, world peace, or an invitation to a dinner party hosted by Julia Child—to get me to brave the crowds and craziness of a Black Friday sale. I’d much rather just pay the extra money and order whatever it is online.
Ellen Byron
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The only thing that would inspire me to camp out overnight on Black Friday is a ridiculously low sale price on a package trip to Bronte Country. It’s #1 on my bucket list, my dream trip, my white whale – meaning the trip always seems out of reach for me. You have no idea how obsessed I am with this dream. I’m actually encouraging my child to spend a future semester abroad in England so I can visit her there, and by visit her there, I mean go to Bronte Country. As to more practical Black Friday dreams, I hear an air fryer is very useful. Would I camp out for one? No. But if you hear of one being sold for five or ten bucks, let me know.
Vickie Fee
Today, I will be at home, shopping in my pajamas, trolling cyber bargains. There are three “deals” that could entice me to leave the house and brave the crowds and parking lot mayhem (assuming I could get them dirt cheap): First, the services of a professional shopper who would find, buy and beautifully wrap the perfect gift, at a ridiculously low price, of course, for each of the people on my list (including my mom). Second, two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the world with no black-out dates for $50. And third, and most desired, a gift certificate for a completely written custom synopsis for my WIP, which would expound in dazzling detail all the brilliant plot points, some of which are still a bit muddy, along with the perfect ending. (I prefer to write the novel myself, but would gladly forgo the thrill of writing the synopsis if that were possible.) Ellen, the air fryer sounds handy. I’ve been hearing about crock pots that actually brown the meat. I might check for one of those online.
Marla Cooper
Here’s what I wish I could buy on Black Friday: a house! I’ve been house hunting, and it’s crazy making. In this market, you have to be committed enough to make a major purchase that will affect the rest of your life (gulp), but not be devastated if you don’t get it. I want to be able to go to the house store and browse through a selection of reasonably priced homes until I find one I like. Then, I want to walk up to the cashier and say, “I’d like this one please” and not have to guess how much I’d have to pay for her to say yes. Maybe I could even get it at 50% off because it’s a “door buster.” I mean, sure I’d have to wait in line, but if it didn’t work out I could just bring it back to the store within 30 days for a full refund. All right, I’m off to the house store; wish me luck!
Lisa Q. Mathews
I’m one of those people who’s still shopping on Dec. 24th. I’ll even find an excuse to go (What? We’re out of tape again?). The prices are low, the stores are deserted so I can concentrate, and people are always so friendly. This year my daughter and I will head out to random stores on Black Friday just for kicks. I don’t have anything in mind to buy. (Except maybe a Roomba, so I will never have to vac ever again.) But I’m actually okay with crowds. I miss them here in NH sometimes, so I’ll head to NYC to see the lit tree at Rock Center soon (but not the lighting itself–that was a bit much, even for me). I can tell you one thing I’d never camp out for: that new Facebook Portal thing that follows you around your house so that whoever you’re talking to gets to see your messy house (Roomba, Santa Baby!) and whatever unflattering yoga pants you’re wearing because you’re planning to write all day ho ho ho.
Cynthia Kuhn
Happy shopping to all who brave the crowds. I will not be heading out this year. Last time practically did me in, what with the starting on Thursday night (please, can’t we sleep first?) and the discounts that go something like “Receive a $15 gift card for your next purchase after your purchase of $75 or more!” Seriously retailers, isn’t it enough that I’m spending my money in your store right now? Also, can’t you just take a percentage right off the top immediately, like in the days of yore (when percentages were taken off for whole days or even weeks at a time)? I resent the ticking clock of say, 30% off the entire purchase that, for no apparent reason, ends at 11. It’s like 10:59? Discount. One Minute Later? No Discount! Sheesh. (Special note to the Lady Who Stood Behind Me For An Hour And A Half During Black Friday Last Time: You do not have to breathe down the neck of the person in front of you in order to keep your place in line. And shuffling forward two steps for every one step I took will not make the line move faster. I really enjoyed your neverending soliloquoy about the great deal on Mimi’s new boots, and the incessant poking of said boot box into my back, too. Thanks for that.) Anyway, have a great Friday, all—whatever you’re doing today!
Readers: Do you have any Black Friday dream buys – or did you go to an actual sale?
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Chicks on the Case 
Enjoyed this morning laughs. Good luck in your shopping. Love you gals!
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Love you too, Mary Lou!
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Love backatcha, Mary Lou!!
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Never in a million year..standing out in minus 0 wind chill for hours with strangers doesn’t do it for me. There is nothing I need that badly except sleep.
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LOL, agreed! I had a nice, cozy, sleep-in this morning. Which for me, means getting up at 8:15, not 6:15. Of course, any shopping fantasies I had were shut down by an emergency purchase of a new computer for our daughter after the one she had crashed last week – in New Orleans!
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Oh, the insanity called Black Friday!
I understand the Julia Child dream, Leslie. Mine was to dance with Gene Kelly! The man would have me swooning!
Ellen, I asked my girls to go to England for college and they actually laughed! So now I must try and convince my grandkids! One must not give up!
Vicki, I am not certain, but I think you could get that $50 ticket if you went in with the baggage. It is quite roomy on overseas flights and you could probably stack things to make it very comfy! Just saying!
Good luck with the house, Marla! I do feel for you. It is the most frustrating thing to find a house these days. Prices are ridiculous, even for renting an apartment!
Shopping December 24th, Lisa? I have learned the only thing to do on that day is drink egg nog and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas! I tried wrapping presents once after midnight mass. What a disaster! I ended up cutting my good dress up, not realizing that a part of it was under the wrapping paper! Not a good memory, that one!
Cynthia, I agree with you on the whole discount business! Why can we not have discounts during the year? Why only that day? It is ridiculous! You are a better person than I. That shoe box poking me would have only lasted so long! I can be very polite, but I do have my breaking point!
I no longer do Black Friday in person. I might order a few things online. The crowds just do me in and the shops are so overheated!
If any of you do get brave enough to go out, I do hope you find what you were looking for and make it home in one piece!
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OMG, I’ve been obsessed with Gene Kelly since I was a kid!! What a GREAT Black Friday dream that would be. Bravo!
And work on those grandkids. Someone has GOT to go to England for you, Deb. Go for it!
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Gene Kelly–yes! And it would be even better if you could dance down by the Seine, like in American in Paris!
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Brilliant Deb! I think the baggage area is probably more comfortable than coach — at least no elbow wrestling over the armrest! And you don’t have to wait until Christmas Eve to hit the eggnog. 🙂
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Vickie, I would gladly camp out with you if we could get someone to write our synopses!
Happy shopping to all who venture forth, whether in real life or online. (And, Lisa, good reminder about the tape. I’ve been known to wrap with Band-Aids!)
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Band-aids? I’ll have to remember that. But there will be few presents under our tree this year. #collegetuition – and previous comment about emergency purchase of new computer for kid.
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The Band-Aids add a little…something.
Sending good vibes for finding a new computer!
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I do love shopping on Black Friday, even if I don’t buy anything. I’m one of those strange people who likes being in super charged crowds. I draw energy from that. But I much prefer the day after Christmas, to buy things on super, super sale for next year. I’m having foot problems this year, so I’ll be home with the rest of the Chicks.
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Kaye, can I just say that you’re the first person I’ve ever heard of who actually ENJOYS Black Friday crowds? But I get it about the energy.
So sorry about your foot problems. Feel better! xoxo
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Oh, Kaye! I hope you’re on the mend and that your foot issues will be resolved in time for you to do some kick-butt shopping the day after Christmas!
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Thanks, Vickie. I do, too! (Although my boot could probably do well at kicking butt.)
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I’ve never gone shopping on Black Friday in stores. I do take advantage of deals for the mud runs I plan to run in June that are usually offered this weekend. However, I actually signed up for both of them back in June, so no plans at all this year.
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Mark, every time I see you write the words, “mud run,” I’m intrigued and tempted. And then… I get lazy. Someday… someday!
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Stop at tempted. I can hook you up any time you want to join me.
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Vickie, that synopsis Black Friday deal would be brilliant! In fact, my other Black Friday wish would be a sale on an entire outline for my sixth Cajun Country Mystery! I start plotting on Monday and am TERRIFIED.
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Maybe you should set your next book in a Black Friday line, Ellen. Someone could get trampled to death, and then the police discover the person had actually been stabbed with an oyster knife.
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I have a plot!!
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Like Leslie, my childhood dream was owning my very own horse. To that end, I saved up $200, which took me into junior high school where I decided that every other girl looked way cooler than I did and promptly spend the entire sum on new clothes. Now I’m with Ellen, and if she finds that travel deal to Bronte country, I’m ready to go along!
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A $200 shopping spree in junior high — that must’ve been a blast, Connie!
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