For some, Thanksgiving may just be fuel for the real work that comes on Black Friday. One of the biggest shopping days of the year, there are deals to be had on a slew of items if you’re willing to brave the mass crowds to find them. You’re in luck, because we’ve mapped out your Black Friday strategy for you. Read on to learn what the best deals are—and where to find them.
Local Fare
Old Town Boutique District
Black Friday a little too hectic for you? Enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere with the first-ever Plaid Friday from OTBD. Start the morning off with a free donut giveaway from Sugar Shack Donuts for anyone who purchases a seasonal holiday drink starting at 6 a.m. More than 50 of Alexandria’s boutique shops will have special deals, while Alexandria Restaurant Partners will offer 10 percent off with a receipt from a local small business. Cap the day off with the City of Alexandria’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Dulles Town Center
Make it an early Thanksgiving dinner so you can get to the Black Friday shopping on Thursday, as Dulles Town Center stores will be open from 6 p.m.-midnight; they will open again at 8 a.m. on Friday.
Reston Town Center
Reston Town Center kicks off the holidays with its annual parade on Friday, but before that get some shopping done at Scout & Molly’s Early Riser Blow-out event, available only to those who shop between 5 and 8 a.m. (traditional Black Friday deals available the rest of the day). Athleta, Lululemon and Bluemercury are among some of the other shops offering Black Friday deals.
National Chains
Nordstrom
Things get started a little early at Nordstrom, which will begin its sales event, “The Score,” on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 1 a.m. EST. Customers can get 60 percent off on select sale items through Monday, Nov. 26. Nordstrom Rack, meanwhile, will offer 30 percent off select clearance items, as well as 25 percent off on UGG Koolabura Boots, from midnight on Nov. 21 through Nov. 26.
Macy’s
Starting early evening on Thanksgiving and going through Friday afternoon, Macy’s shoppers have 40 pages of coupons to take advantage of on everything from cooking supplies to the latest kids toys. Some taste of the deals includes $10 off purchases of $25 or more and $20 off purchases of $50 or more.
Best Buy
The latest electronics get a price slash at Best Buy for Black Friday. Time to upgrade with hundred dollar savings, or more, on the latest iPhone, a massive hi-def TV, a new laptop, an Amazon Echo device or even some home and kitchen appliances.
Amazon
If crowds aren’t your thing, Amazon lets you do some Black Friday, or the increasingly popular Cyber Monday, shopping in your pajamas. The online retail chain has just about everything anyway and will be offering daily deals from now through Cyber Monday.
Barnes & Noble
Looking for a good book to read by the fire this winter? Barnes & Noble’s Black Friday deals, which run from Nov. 22-25 online and Nov. 23-25 in-store, include hundreds of signed editions from popular authors, 50 percent off teen/YA bestsellers and $70 off a Samsung Galaxy Tab E Nook.
#OptOutside
If you’re a fan of outdoor activities and were hoping to snag a deal on hiking or camping gear, best to look some place other than REI. The national chain is continuing its tradition of being closed on Black Friday, allowing its 12,000 employees to have the day off and brands as #OptOutside, promoting people to take advantage of the outdoors rather than shop.