"I’ve been up since 3:30," I heard one couple say as I was eating lunch with my mom and her friend. Why? Why would anyone willingly wake up at 3:30 in the morning? It’s "Black Friday", the day of the famous day after Thanksgiving sales! It’s in my opinion, the craziest day of the whole year. It’s the day of waking up at three in the morning, grabbing something quick to eat, and waiting outside a store when the employees are still at home sleeping. That’s just the beginning. Once the store finally opens, and after many grueling hours of shopping, most of the sales are over, and you can finally take a break, rest you feet, and fulfill those hunger pangs that have been haunting you for hours.

It can be tiring—fighting, not only to get into the store, but also to get the last of some electronic gadget, pushing shopping carts piled high of stuff bought for no other reason than the fact that they’re cheap, and hauling enormous bags throughout the mall despite the pain of them cutting off your circulation—it can be very tiring. Although, after lunch, most of the sales are over, there are still many more. So, after lunch, it’s back to shopping. ‘Tis the season. ‘Tis the season of love, giving, and receiving, though, not of impatience, pushing, and taking. "A lady was about ready to take my head off because someone cut in front of me in line," a friend of mine said.

The day after Thanksgiving sales always seem to be popular. But, it’s not the sales that make the news. The drama is what makes the news, all the drama that "Black Friday" creates. What makes the news is people waiting outside a store hours before it opens, being trampled at the front door, and fighting over the last Tickle-Me-Elmo. These are the things that make the news. Before I’d ever been shopping on "Black Friday," I knew all about it. I can’t think of a year when "Black Friday" wasn’t all over the news.

So, how can you survive "Black Friday"? First of all, don’t wake up outrageously early. Wake up early enough so you can make it to a few stores before the big sales ended. If you show up too early, the stores will be much more hectic. Make a list of places to go and things to get. Make sure you know when the sales end at each store. Also, know it’ll be very unlikely that you will come back with everything you planned on getting. Remember that many things may be sold out, but also know that other stores will carry them. Keep in mind, if you don’t get everything on your list, it’s not the end of the world. To speed things up, know what you want and don’t be afraid to ask. Also, be sure to have the ad on hand. It makes it easier for the employees to help if they know what you’re talking about. Last, but certainly not least, go with someone. It can take less time if you split up. If you stick together, it can at least seem to take less time. Time flies when you’re having fun. Make it a fun time. That’s how I survived the famous, or rather infamous, day after Thanksgiving sales.