When most people think of November, one thing that comes to mind is Thanksgiving. Though it may be a highlight to the month, what I look forward to every year is Black Friday. I know what you’re thinking: Why would anyone in their right mind stay out all night just to shop with a bunch of angry moms trying to be Santa? Trust me; it’s a lot more fun than it looks. If you don’t already know, Black Friday occurs on the day after Thanksgiving. As of 2005, it has been the busiest shopping day of the year. Stores open as early as 4 a.m. on Friday, with some opening at midnight on Thanksgiving, and lines wrap around the stores hours before. For me, it’s been a tradition that my best friend, my sister and I go out together. Right after Thanksgiving dinner, my sister and I start looking through store ads to see what deals they’re having and make a game plan for our journey. It’s best to prepare beforehand so you’re ready for the night ahead. Some things you’ll definitely need are a lot of warm clothes, including hats and gloves, and anything to make you comfortable. Blankets and chairs are seen everywhere in the outside lines, and sometimes you can even find a tent. The most important supply, though, is a mass quantity of coffee. The three of us go and stand outside stores as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving and usually don’t stop until Friday afternoon. Typically, you won’t be looking for anything in particular, but you’re guaranteed to find something you like somewhere. The nice thing about Black Friday is that since everything is on sale, it’s easy to get your Christmas shopping done at reasonable prices. If you want to go all out this year for your friends and family, go Black Friday shopping. It’s essential to keep track of how much money you have left. I always have that problem, and it is not a good feeling. After all of your shopping is over, the best thing to do is eat and find somewhere to sleep for a few hours – it’ll be much needed. We always crash in my aunt’s basement; it’s dark, warm, and has perfect couches for sleeping. When it comes down to it, there are a lot of alternative routes you could take to find deals. For example, some online sites like Amazon offer the same markdowns as stores do, called Cyber Monday, and there’s no waiting in lines. Another option is waiting until after Christmas where you can find some of those products you’re looking for at the same sale price, without the mobs. If you’re looking for a dull way to do your shopping, without making any memories besides hitting “add to cart,” this is the choice for you. But really, where’s the fun in that?