The countdown to Christmas
By the time you read this, Black Friday will be in full swing. The hard-core Black Friday shoppers will have had set their alarm clocks to get up before the break of dawn, or maybe they stayed up all night to get to the stores in the wee morning hours.
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All to get amazing deals for Christmas presents - or for the pure fun of the shopping experience.
But whether you're a Black Friday shopper or not, one thing is inevitable - Christmas Day is less than a month away.
On Wednesday, residents who were either shopping or scoping out the items they thought would be steals on Friday at Kohl's in Baxter took a few moments to discuss their Christmas shopping habits.
Dawn DeVries-Flinck
Crosslake
How much will you spend on Christmas shopping? $1,000-$1,200.
How does that compare to previous years? About the same.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? Yes, I'm going shopping Friday. I want to go to Best Buy to buy my son a mini laptop (computer.) People think we're crazy shopping that early, but it's fun.
Who is the most difficult person for you to buy for? My dad is the hardest person to buy for. He sees something he wants and goes and buys it and doesn't tell us. We've taken many things back.
Lynda Hummel
Brainerd
How much will you spend on Christmas shopping? About $400.
How does that compare to previous years? The same.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? I want a waffle iron. I was checking one out here (Kohl's), but I couldn't get it today (Wednesday) on sale. I have to work on Black Friday, but I'm going to try to come back to get one before I go to work.
Who is the most difficult person for you to buy for? My husband because everything to him is a car thing and I have no idea what he has and what he needs.
Marian Kapusta
Brainerd, Lower South Long Lake
How much will you spend on Christmas shopping? $300-$400.
How does that compare to previous years? About the same.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? I sometimes go. It (the item) has to be really worth it for me to get up that early.
Who is the most difficult person for you to buy for? My nephew. He never makes out a list and when he finally does it's too late, I bought his gift already.
Jordan Mullins
Fort Riley, Kan.
How much will you spend on Christmas shopping? $1,000.
How does that compare to previous years? We spent less last year because I was in Iraq.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? Yeah, we're going to Walmart Friday for the electronics.
Who is the most difficult person for you to buy for? Her (he points to fiancee Amber Steinke). She helps me pick out all the gifts I need for everyone and so I can't have her help me pick out her own gift.
Shawn Thayer
Baxter
How much will you spend on Christmas shopping? $800.
How does that compare to previous years? About the same.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? No ... (he gets a 'Yes-you-are' nod from his wife, Cindy.) Yes, I'm going to Gander Mountain because she says so and she's the boss.
Who is the most difficult person for you to buy for? Everybody. Kids are easy, but the young adults are hard.
Matthew Walsh
East Gull Lake
How much will you spend on Christmas shopping? $500-$1,000.
How does that compare to previous years? A little less this year.
Are you a Black Friday shopper? No. I'm a last-minute Christmas shopper.
Who is the most difficult person for you to buy for? My fiancee. You always want it to be special so I put more pressure on myself to get her the perfect gift.