Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner. The Christmas shopping season seems to start earlier every year. The traditional kick-off of the season is the day after Thanksgiving, or Black Friday. The term originated in Philadelphia and was used to describe the heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic in center city, as stores were mobbed on the busy shopping day. Another story, created later by retailers, was that it is the day of the year that merchants go from operating at a loss (being “in the red”) to making a profit (“in the black”).

Whatever the origin, it is certainly the most-hyped shopping day of the year. If you plan to venture out seeking great deals, you’ll want to read this guide on how to get the best Black Friday deals. Many stores open their doors in the very early morning (5 AM or earlier) and stay open late, some staying open until midnight the next day. Black Friday Ads are highly sought after items in the weeks and even months before, as people want to know what the great deals of the day are. Retailers want to keep these top secret for competitive reasons, although some leak early.

Stores often offer “doorbuster” deals and loss leaders that have limited availability, leading mobs of shoppers to rush into stores. This has led to increased Black Friday violence, even deaths. Many stores have added more security officers and other precaution to deal with the problem. Personally, I avoid shopping on Black Friday at all costs and look for Black Friday deals online or wait for Cyber Monday. What are your plans for Black Friday?