Guest Author - Cate Brizzell

After-Thanksgiving sales are almost always worth the hassle, if you're prepared!

Part One in our series "Are After-Thanksgiving Sales Really Worth The Hassle?" listed various ways you can prepare for holiday shopping in-store or online - or both.

Click here to read "Part One: Getting Ready To Shop".

Once you've made your lists and checked them twice, you're ready to get up early on Black Friday and join the masses as the official holiday shopping season begins.

Follow the tips below to make the most of the day, and the sales. You may find you save enough cash to enjoy a special night out with the family, or buy another extra-special gift for someone you love!

Have an itinerary. Based on the list you prepared Thanksgiving night, and the research you gleaned from the sales flyers, have a step-by-step itinerary for each store you'll visit.

Visit stores with best sales or hottest items first. Even if you have to zigzag across town a bit, you'll be disappointed to find you missed out on a big bargain because the store was somewhere in the middle of your Black Friday schedule. Put the stores with the best sales and most popular items first on your list. You may also want to put stores featuring your "high-priority" gifts high on your itinerary list as well.

Pack snacks and bottled water. Don't let hunger slow you down when it comes to snapping up bargains. Slip some energy snacks and bottled water in a tote bag, ready for munching. Some good ideas: peanuts, dried fruit, wheat or bran cereal, apples or bananas. The snacks will hold you over until you can put your feet up and enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner.

Pack light. While you're at it, don't forget to pack light! Bring a simple tote bag that will hold your wallet, lists, snacks and drinks, cell phone, and any other items you may need for a full day of shopping. Make sure the bag fits comfortably over your shoulder. Better yet, use a bag you can sling over your shoulder to keep your hands free.

Borrow a stroller (without the baby) if you don't already have one. Bet you're scratching your head at this one! Here's why. If you're shopping at a mall, chances are you'll be visiting more than one store. Pretty soon all those packages will get heavy and slow you down. You won't want to make continued trips to your car to stow gifts in the trunk or backseat. Use a stroller to hold your packages instead. Most strollers nowadays are light, easy to push and designed to work well in stores, even those with narrow aisles. Alternatively, you can check with your mall's customer service center to see whether they have shopping carts available.

Shop when it's dark out. If you're going out on Black Friday, earlier is better. Period. Get up before dawn and be there when the store or mall doors open. Not only will you get the best deals and selection, you'll get a great parking spot, and most likely finish your shopping just when the massive crowds are arriving. You'll be amazed to find how few folks actually get out early on Black Friday.

Stick to your list during Black Friday shopping. Follow your itinerary and move as quickly as you can. Most of the best sales have time limits, which you've hopefully taken into account while planning your schedule. If a store has run out of an item you're looking for, move to the next store on your list. Don't be distracted by special offers or the hype that goes along with the busiest shopping day of the year. Get your sale items and get on with it!

Share the savings. Use a shopping buddy to double your efforts. Compare itineraries first thing Black Friday morning, and if you find you're both planning on visiting the same store, pick up your friend's items as well as your own. Split up and be in two stores at the same time. Choose a place and time to meet up and settle your accounts. With cell phones, it's easy to stay in touch.

Don't forget to make memories! There's something special about shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. The holidays spirit is in the air. Stores are filled with festive decorations and Christmas carols. Bring a digital camera and snap photos as you go along. Then create a scrapbook page or fun photo album documenting each year's Black Friday excursions.

Schedule relaxation. Reward yourself for the planning, early rising, jostling and package hauling. Book a lunch at your favorite cafe or dinner at your favorite restaurant. Schedule a spa appointment. Better yet, once you're home and your gifts are hidden away, curl up on the couch with some hot cocoa and your very favorite holiday movie! Congratulate yourself on a job well done.

After-Thanksgiving sales can be a great way to get the biggest bang out of your holiday buck. Follow the above tips to make your in-store trips as smooth as Grandma's homemade eggnog.

If you prefer to shop in your pajamas, or you like to visit stores both real and virtual, watch for next week's article, Part Three in our series: "Online Shopping For The Holidays".