Black Friday vets have the shopping down to a science
Margaret Grondahl of Staples and her daughter Beth Warner of Moorhead took a break from early morning shopping that is part of their tradition for the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday.
They arrived in Brainerd about 6:30 a.m. and reported finding good deals.
With a blended family of seven children, Grondahl said planning ahead and setting a budget is a necessity.
"It's fun," she said. "We pretty much have it down to a science."
One year Grondahl said they bought all their presents at Menards.
Family members Jacy Rice (left), Trisha Reed, Margaret Grondahl and Beth Warner continued a tradition by shopping on Black Friday. Stops included the Westgate Mall. Grondahl, a Staples resident, said she gets nearly all of her shopping done by Friday and that with a blended family with seven children following a plan and a budget is part of the process.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
Beyond the shopping, Grondahl could conduct a workshop on the wrapping and planning. The presents go under the tree without tags. Presents are color coded by ribbon shades and a legend is kept to match the gift to the intended person. It's a way to keep family members from shaking and guessing before the big day although Warner wasn't sure that was a good plan.
Grondahl said they did two-thirds of their shopping online Wednesday and completed the rest Friday so after the presents are wrapped the rest of time is spend enjoying the holiday season.
Grondahl's stepdaughters, Trisha Reed and Jacy Rice, said they were able to get items they wanted at Kohl's and Herberger's. But both said they were tempered this year by the state of the economy.
"I think we're more careful and more choosy," Reed said.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.