Shoppers making list, checking it twice

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Stores opened extra early for Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. But later into the day, shoppers were still going strong, trying to cross off as much as they could off their lists.
To get all the good deals, shoppers like Debbie Herring had to make a game plan on what stores to hit at what time.

"We mapped out our plans on where to go, what to do, where to go first. We did not go to sleep," Herring explained.

Black Friday is a tradition for some shoppers. For the past five years, Herring has hit the stores early the day after Thanksgiving with her two sisters.

"The money you save," Herring said. "And it's just a little bit of time we get to spend together."

Others see it as a way to burns some calories from their Thanksgivng feast.

"We get to exercise and burn off turkey instead of sleeping in all day," Cortney Ming said.

Michael Rush and his son Cole try to avoid the long lines by sitting outside the stores.

"I gave her my card and told her to go get what she wanted for Christmas. We are just sitting out here taking a break," Rush said.

And most shoppers fighting Black Friday crowds are trying to get those special gifts for the special people on their lists.

"Christmas shopping and getting stuff for my dad and getting lots of shoes," Abby Ryan said.

If some holiday shoppers didn't know what to get children for Christmas, all they had to do is ask the guy in the big red suit.

"The boys are asking for DS and the girls are asking for ZuZu Pets," explained Santa Clause. "A lot of the children are asking for a Wii if they don't have them. If they have them, they want an upgrade. Get sports packages. "

With everyone wanting to get the good deals, shopping can become a little dangerous.

"I was in line at Walmart for a 32 inch and it was getting kind of scary," Herring said. "After I got the TV, it was so crowded with people. I mean completely swarming."

Experienced Black Friday shoppers have advice on how to deal with the mobs of holiday shoppers.

"If you are polite than everyone else is polite too," Cheryl Smith said.

"You can't really get upset. You just have to be patient with everybody and be gracious," Ming said.

Some shoppers just can't get enough.

"We'll be back. Yes, probably tomorrow," laughed Joni Flynn.

The Tippecanoe Mall will re-open Saturday at 8 a.m.