The countdown to Thanksgiving begins and you know that means... another day closer to Black Friday shopping. Whether you are the type to camp outside of Walmart or hide away in your cozy bed, we all have been tempted to experience Black Friday one way or another. I decided to come up with a list of Do's and Don'ts I will be following this shopping season to make my night/day a little bit easier..

DO: Wear comfortable shoes- What is worse than pushing through crowds and running through your local mall just to get that ONE purse? I'll tell you what is worse... Pushing through crowds and running through the mall with shoes giving you giant blisters. It would be wise to wear your most comfortable gear for the shopping holiday to make your night go just a tad smoother.

DON'T: Be rude / stress out- Black Friday shopping is just about the most stressful day of the year (except if you are watching the 2016 Presidential election). So being rude to others or stressing out is not going to make shopping with your loved ones enjoyable. So smile, be kind, let the person who has one item go in front of you if you have a whole shopping cart full, and take a DEEP breath.

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DO: Clean out your purse- Carrying around ten shopping bags plus your big heavy purse at four o'clock in the morning will only cause you to be more stressed and cranky. All you need are the essentials- keys, cash, credit card, cell phone and drivers license. Clean out the spare change at the bottom of your purse, so you have more energy to carry those shopping bags!!

DON'T: Max out your card- It is known that there are some pretty killer deals on Black Friday, but that does not mean you should max out your credit card. Make sure to leave some room for the rest of the month. Nothing is worse than an empty fridge for a full week.

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DO: TAKE A BREAK- Taking a break is very very important when it comes to shopping, especially on a stressful night like this. Don't forget to refuel your energy with a healthy meal.. or a peppermint mocha frappuccino from Starbucks, whatever floats your boat.

DON'T: Impulse shop- Make sure everything your buying is 100% necessary. The little knick-knacks they have by the register are purposely put there, so you buy them impulsively. Make sure the items you purchase are useful, and you need them.

DO: Go to your favorite stores first- The deals that stores give on Black Friday are always great so make sure you take advantage of them. It would wise to visit your favorite store and get everything you want first before you are left to pick from the scraps of what is left.

DON'T: Camp out- Camping outside of Target or J.C Penny might sound like a good idea.. but it probably isn't the smartest idea. Remember your health comes first, and nothing good comes out of sleeping in 32-degree weather

DO: Have a game plan- Having a list of the items you are going to purchase will make your day go smoother and quicker. Plus if you know what you are looking for odds are you can get in and get out much faster.

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DON'T: Black Friday shop- When it comes down to it Black Friday shopping is more stress and less fun. So what is better than Black Friday shopping? Laying in bed on Cyber Monday morning, with your p.js on, in your cozy bed with a fresh cup of coffee.

Happy Shopping!

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XO!

Bailey Pontikos