Does anyone really want to get up at 3 a.m. anymore to go sit outside a major retailer for hours in the cold, hoping to score a great deal on some electronics? Lately it seems that a lot of us may prefer to enjoy the Black Friday experience a bit differently – perhaps comfortably wrapped in our pajamas and robes, planning our shopping route for small business saturday.

If waking up before the sun, long lines, and massive crowds aren’t exactly your idea of fun, traditional Black Friday shopping may not be for you. Instead, find a much more comfortable and convenient Christmas shopping experience with our Black Friday shopping alternatives.

Shopping throughout the Season

Some people swear they will be done with their Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving. This may be a daydream, or for some, true reality. It takes discipline and organization to actually accomplish this goal, but even if you only get a portion of your shopping done beforehand, you can still save yourself some time and frustration. Shopping after Black Friday can lead you to some special deals, too. Each different store has its own sales and marketing strategy, so be prepared for all kinds of offers and deals to appear as an effort to entice shoppers just like you into the store. Even last-minute shopping has its merits!

You can still save yourself some time and frustration.

Shopping Clearance Sales

If you visit the local outlets or check some of your other favorite stores, you may find items on clearance as the retailers make room for new stock. Shopping clearance can save money and lead you to exciting deals, but a lot of times the items are off-season or for very specific tastes. Still, clearance shopping can be a great adventure, leaving you with a satisfying feeling of accomplishment when you’re all done.

Supporting Small Businesses

The wonderful array of boutiques and family-owned stores in the Lehigh Valley makes it easy to fall in love with wares as well as the intimate shopping experience. Shopping at the Valley’s small businesses opens a whole new world of gifting options, from custom items to exquisite jewelry and even those perfect presents for impossible-to-shop-for loved ones. Don’t miss Small Business Saturday on November 28!

Shopping Online

There’s just something to be said for shopping without even leaving your home. Online stores and boutiques make holiday shopping manageable for even the busiest and laziest of folks. Even if you absolutely hate shopping, you can find just the right present in a matter of moments with a few taps on your smartphone. Beyond all that, the online shopping experience also offers the benefit of a plethora of online coupon codes, allowing you to score free shipping, discounted merchandise, and other goodies. Don’t overlook this modern shopping phenomenon.

Avoiding the Crazy Crush

If Black Friday is known for anything, it’s crowds of unruly shoppers that no amount of coffee can prepare you for. For some, the thrill of the great bargains and deals offered may make the experience more bearable, even tolerable. For others, crowds of that caliber just don’t cut it for any reason. If you prefer to avoid the craziness of Black Friday, but don’t want to totally miss out on the fun, you can simply change your shopping route to avoid some of the higher traffic stores and shopping areas, choosing smaller shops and boutiques instead.

You’ll still be able to find great gift items at enticing prices, but without the hassle of a maddening shopping experience. Keep these local stores and shopping destinations on your list for Black Friday and seasonal shopping this year:

• Ju-Ju Monkey – 4755 W Tilghman St. Allentown – ju-jumonkey.com
• Sweet Pea Children’s Shop – 3301 Bath Pike Bethlehem – sweetpeachildren.com
• Something Different Boutique – 351 Town Center Blvd. Easton – 610.515.8006
• Loose Threads – 436 Northampton St. Easton – loosethreadsboutique.com
• Dan’s Camera City – 1439 W Fairmont St. Allentown – 3812 Easton Nazareth Hwy. Easton – danscamera.com
• GailGray Home Furnishings & Design – 2845 Center Valley Pkwy. Center Valley – gailgrayhome.com
• Foster Jewelers – 1859 Main St. Northampton – fosterjeweler.com
• Jems Fashion Jewelry & Accessories and Phoebe Floral & Home Decor – 2102 W Hamilton St. Allentown – phoebefloral.com
• Susan Bella Jewelry – 1746 W Allen St. Allentown – susanbellajewelry.com
• Northampton Jewelry – 1918 Center St. Northampton – northamptonjewelry.com
• Cleo’s Silversmith Studio and Gallery – 21 E 3rd St. Bethlehem – cleosgallery.com
• Step in 4 Mor – 1823 W Allen St. Allentown – stepin4mor.com
• Blink Optical Boutique – 524 N 19th St. Allentown – blinkon19th.com
• Zionsville Antique Mall – 7567 Chestnut St # 1 Zionsville – zionsvilleantiques.com
• Dunkelberger’s – 585 Main St. Stroudsburg – 1471 Rte 209 Brodheadsville – dunkelbergers.com
• Neighbors Home and Garden – 38 Main St. Hellertown – neighborsgarden.com
• Ross Plants and Flowers – 2704 PA-309 Orefield – rossplantsandflowers.com
• Edible Arrangements – 34 W Broad St. Bethlehem – 155 Northampton St. Easton – 6379 Hamilton Blvd Suite E Allentown – ediblearrangements.com
• Lehigh Valley Wine Trail – lehighvalleywinetrail.com – Featuring nine family-owned vineyards and wineries in the Lehigh Valley area…
  • Amoré
  • Big Creek
  • Blue Mountain
  • Clover Hill
  • Franklin Hill
  • Galen Glen
  • Pinnacle Ridge
  • Tolino
  • Vynecrest