It’s that time of year Angelenos! The colder weather has come in and Thanksgiving dinner is being planned to a T. There’s lots to think about, but don’t let your mind stop at Thanksgiving. Almost immediately afterwords is Christmas, and what better day to get the best deals on your holiday shopping than on Black Friday!

Black Friday is the best time to get the latest gadgets and gifts for your family and friends. I’m one of those people who wakes up extra early to get in line for the best prices on what are usually expensive items. TV’s, tablets, laptops, home appliances, and clothing are the cheapest they’ll be all holiday season, and if you have a few expensive items to buy this is definitely the day to do it.

I always start by making my list a few days before Thanksgiving. By then, I’ve received all sorts of e-mails regarding great deals from my favorite places and I can put them into a cohesive list of “favorites” in my e-mail. I’ll wake up super early, wear some chic yet comfortable clothes, get some good use out of my credit cards, and be back home by noon.

If you want to skip the crowds and the lines, shopping online is another great option. Use the e-mails you’ve “favorited” to click around and get the best deals. Although you’ll still have to wake up early (some might have to wake up on East Coast time before certain items sell out), you’ll be able to shop in the comfort of your own home with a cup of coffee or tea in your most comfortable PJ’s. The biggest day for online shopping is called “Cyber Monday”, the Monday after Thanksgiving. If you REALLY want to be productive, you’ll get all of your Christmas shopping done on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and have the rest of the Holiday season to relax.

For physical retail stores, I’ll definitely be shopping around Santa Monica Place and the Thirds Street Promenade. For my online purchases, I’ll be spending lots of time on Gilt Groupe, one of my favorite websites for daily deals and massive discounts on designer everything. They’ve got great selections daily in womenswear and menswear, as well as great prices on kids things, home furnishings, and travel packages. Everything is designer and in season, but at wonderfully discounted prices.

So next week, wake up early, make sure your coffee’s brewed, and shop till you drop at home or in the stores. Where else should I be looking to save on Black Friday? Let me know where you’re planning on shopping in a comment below!

Photo courtesy of Chucknado’s Flickr