Black Friday Shopping Survival Guide
Are you game for waking up at 4am to crowd yourself into a big box store just to max out your credit card while saving $10 on a blu-ray player?
After family arguments and trying to determine what to do with all of that leftover turkey, the annual Black Friday sales are just about as big a Thanksgiving tradition as we have in America.
So if you are into finding the best deals on Friday, here’s some resources for you so you don’t have track down every single Black Friday deal on your own.
Black Friday 2011 Deals
- The Frugal Find: Black Friday Deals for digital cameras, TVs, Laptops, Blu-ray…
- Frugal Day: Black Friday deals at Toys r Us, Gap, Walgreens, Rite Aid…
- Gap: Some items 60% off before noon
- 7×7: Listing of 39 different black friday sales at boutiques and stores in San Francisco
- $8 Giants Tickets: Yes, the 2012 baseball season is on sale beginning 10am on Friday.
- Union Square: Listing of over 30 black friday events & sales in Union Square
- A Full Cup: Huge resource of user submitted black friday deals
- eBay Mobile Cupcakes & WiFi: Enjoy holiday-themed Kara’s Cupcakes while browsing eBay Mobile with free WiFi.
Black Friday Shopping Tips & Resources
- Consumer Reports: Why Black Friday isn’t the best day for deals
- CBS: Bargain hunters shouldn’t shop on Black Friday
- ABC: Best deals for early risers who do their homework
- CNN: Secrets of Extreme Black Friday shoppers
- What Time Does Each Store Open?: List of biggest retailers and what time their Black Friday deals begin
- Black Friday Sales Online Right Now: Get a head start at Walmart, Staples, Target and Best Buy
Anti-Black Friday
- Buy Nothing Day: Occupy Xmas with Adbusters at this yet-to-be-organized anti-shopping annual “event”
Funcheap Events for Friday, November 25, 2011
San Francisco Bay Area
Pink Friday Free Manicures & Massages | Westfield Center
Friday, November 25 – 9:00 am | Cost: FREE* | Westfield San Francisco Centre, Level 3The infamous shopping holiday Black Friday will be transformed into “Pink Friday” November 25th from 9am – 7pm.
Moms and daughters will be treated to free massages and manicures with nail polish colors inspired by FOX’s new series I Hate My Teenage Daughter. Free shopping totes …San Francisco Guided Walking Tour Weekend | 34 Free ToursFriday, November 25 – All Day | Cost: FREESan Francisco City Guides offer free guided walking tours of many different neighborhoods in the city and will be offering a full slate of free tours on Thanksgiving weekend Friday through Sunday
Tour starting times range from 9:30a to 2p and there are 34 different tours …$8 Giants Tickets for 2012 | (Orange &) Black Friday SaleFriday, November 25 – 10:00 am | Cost: $8* | Giants Dugout StoresFor the first time ever, super cheap Giants tickets are going on sale super early – on Black Friday to be exact (well, since it’s the Giants it’s “Orange & Black Friday”). Beginning at 10am on November 25th you can purchase tickets online or in person at …
South of Market Architecture Stroll | SoMaFriday, November 25 – 10:00 am | Cost: FREE | Yerba Buena LaneCompare Classical Revival, modern, postmodern and green trends in this free San Francisco City Guides guided walking tour. Architecture includes building facades, public places, and public art. Zigzag and saunter along main streets and back alleys toward the emerging Transbay Terminal complex.
Alfred Hitchcock’s San Francisco | A Walking TourFriday, November 25 – 10:00 am | Cost: FREE | Huntington Park
The Master of Suspense loved San Francisco and used its beauty, elegance and mystery to great effect in several films. From Nob Hill to Union Square, you’ll see some of the hotels, clubs, retail stores and other locations featured in Vertigo and other Hitchcock classics.
During …Nutcracker Preview and Tree Lighting | AlamedaFriday, November 25 – 11:30 am | Cost: FREE | Alameda South Shore CenterWelcome Santa’s arrival and kick off the biggest shopping day of the year at Alameda’s South Shore Center.
Catch a preview of the Alameda Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker at 12:30 p.m. and stay for the countdown to the Annual Tree Lighting at 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy fun and …Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights | San RafaelFriday, November 25 – 12:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Fourth Street – between A Street and Lootens PlaceDowntown San Rafael kicks off the holiday season with the 32nd Annual Holiday Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland celebration.
Festivities will feature a Holiday Marketplace with unique arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, free snow sledding, a Tree Lighting Celebration, and the Parade of …“Plaid Friday” Indie Holiday Shopping | OaklandFriday, November 25 – All Day | Cost: FREEPlaid Friday is the fun and enjoyable indie alternative to the big box store “Black Friday“, and is designed to promote both local and independently owned businesses during the holidays.
Look for the special plaid placards at your local shops throughout Oakland to enjoy free beer/wine …$1 Beer Facebook Deal | Shanghai Kelly’sFriday, November 25 – All Day | Cost: $1* | Shanghai Kelly’sLike Shanghai Kelly’s and/or Northstar Cafe’s Facebook pages (they’re just now entering the 21st century) and get a $1 Lagunitas pint with your first check-in and both bars.
Shanghai Kelly’s: facebook.com/ShanghaiKellys
Northstar Cafe: facebook.com/NorthstarCafeSFWin Tix: Win a Sofa | $199Friday, November 25 – All Day | Cost: WIN*Get a head-start on Black Friday if you’re looking for a furniture deal. Deal Décor, an SF-based internet start-up puts a new spin on group-buying by connecting savvy shoppers with factory-direct deals. This week, it’s a loveseat – perfect for San Francisco-sized apartments.
This small sofa …Black Friday Deals & Events in Union Square | SFFriday, November 25 – All Day | Cost: FREEIn Union Square, take advantage of the high-end version of Black Friday, where over 30 downtown stores provide nibbles and holiday drinks, extend their hours and offer deep discounts.
At the center of it all is the Macy’s Great Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm, which takes …Magical Holiday Windows | Shreve & Co.Friday, November 25 – 1:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Shreve & Co.Shreve & Co. will be unveiling their magical holiday windows on November 25th at 1pm. The display is called “Once Upon A Time” and is a re-imagined version of several beloved fairy tales told through Kat Soto’s art dolls and illustrations by Bruce Henderson in …
Plaid Friday Party and Bazaar | OaklandFriday, November 25 – 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Actual CafeGet into the spirit of the shopping season on “Plaid Friday” at the Actual Cafe for affordable food, crafts by dorklandia and Allonewood, and beer/wine/coffee tastings with Linden St. Brewery, Periscope Cellars, Inna Jam and McLaughlin Coffee. DJs Papajoshua and Lifeone will be spinning till …
Holiday 3D Light Show | Westfield SFFriday, November 25 – 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Westfield Center SFStarting Nov. 25, Westfield’s iconic dome will come to life each night with this one-of-a-kind animated 3D light spectacular.
Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will unveil the show during a special celebration and toy drive that is open to the public on Friday, November …Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony | 2011Friday, November 25 – 5:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Ghirardelli Square
Enjoy free, live entertainment for the entire family throughout the day culminating with the lighting of the Ghirardelli Square tree at 5:30pm. Lola Toy Stop will be offering a small gift for each child visiting the toy shop during The 47th Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting …Christmas in the Park 2011: Opening Night | San JoseFriday, November 25 – 5:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Plaza De Cesar ChavezAfter a day of feasting with family and friends, come to Downtown San Jose to enjoy the opening of Christmas in the Park 2011. For over 30 years, the two-acre Plaza De Cesar Chavez is annually transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 60 musical …
Macy’s Great Tree Lighting 2011 | Union SquareFriday, November 25 – 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union SquareMacy’s Great Tree in Union Square, San Franicso’s most recognized Christmas tree will be officially lit in Union Square on November 25, 2011.
This year the tree lighting celebration will include special guest three-time US champion, two-time Olympian and world medalist figure skater Johnny Weir, …Friday Nights at the de Young | GG ParkFriday, November 25 – 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE* | De Young MuseumFriday Nights at the de Young offers a variety of interdisciplinary arts programs, including live music, poetry, films, dance, tours, talks and more.
About Friday Nights at the De Young. Friday Nights at the de Young offers a variety of free interdisciplinary arts programs, including …Yoshi’s Free Jazz Night: The Ways and Means Committee | SFFriday, November 25 – 6:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Yoshi’s Jazz Club SFYoshi’s Jazz Club SF celebrates Bay Area talent with a series of free concerts in their lounge. From straight jazz to multimedia sampling, and from Bossa Nova to African jazz, this series highlights the breadth and diversity of local musicians.
Nov. 25, 2011: The Ways and Means …Red Hots Burlesque Show | Mission Dist.Friday, November 25 – 7:30 pm | Cost: $5* | El RioIt’s saucy dancing with a sense of humor at the Red Hots Burlesque show this Friday, where you can see some of the bawdiest burlesque babes in the Bay, including the debut performances of Clavicle Cupcake and Maraschino Poppins, for a sliding scale price.
El Rio (3158 Mission St., SF) | …Comedy Showcase & Free Dance Party | SFFriday, November 25 – 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Impala LoungeEvery 4th Saturday, head to Impala Lounge for their free Off Color Comedy Showcase featuring comedians from across The Bay. Stick around afterwards as Impala Lounge turns into a night club and the dance party kicks off.
Host: Hector Rodriguez
Host and producer of the Off Color …Win Tix: Turkey Trot 2011: An Americana Music FeastFriday, November 25 – 8:00 pm | Cost: WIN* | Cafe Du NordThe 9th annual Turkey Trot features Grandma’s homemade recipes; Southern-fried honky-tonk, creamy country swing, sweet old-time bluegrass, and extra spicy hillbilly-grass. So plan on stumbling home with a ringing in your ear, achy feet, but feeling awfully good.
Live Music from: The Whisky Richards, Windy Hill, …
Tags: Deals & Discounts
