Black Friday Shopping Guide: Part I, Big Box Stores

Get some rest, because after a day of feasting, you'll want to set your alarm for the early bird doorbuster deals and steals at 10 of the area's top retailers.

For many of us, the beloved day after Thanksgiving makes us giddy with anticipation. The joy of hitting the ground before the sun comes up, standing in long lines to get the best deals and steals on everything from clothing to the latest electronic gadget is usually the first part of our holiday tradition.

This year, however, the Black Friday news is coming out a little early. So tighten those laces, grab your helmet - it's time to get ready for the face-off by creating your game plan now!

Here are opening hours, doorbuster ticket information, prices, stocking stuffer ideas, website links (so you can see the full ad when it hits) and a handy chart so you can make your game plan right now.

Please Note:  All links to ads are "live links" - when each store loads their Black Friday ad it will then go "live".

Best Buy  8449 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, 703-748-9814
Black Friday Opening Time: 5 a.m.
Special notes: Tickets for doorbuster deals will be available starting at 3 a.m. Quantities for all items are limited.

Highlights:

• Sony 15 1/2" laptop with 320 GB hard drive for $399.99
• Nook Wi-Fi eReader by Barnes and Noble for downloadable books: $99.99
• Halo Reach or NHL Slapshot: 39.99
• Wii Console Bundle: $169.99

Stocking stuffers: My Sister's Keeper or Lord of the Rings movies are $3.99 each.

JCPenney  11801 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, 703-385-1500
Black Friday opening: 4 a.m.
Doorbuster Deals: 4 a.m to 1 p.m.

Special notes: More than 300 doorbuster deals on just about every type of item in the store.  Quantities are limited.

Highlights:

• Cooks Flip Waffler for $9.88
• More than 150 styles of boots for women at $29.99  
• Adonna Sleepwear Separates for women at $8.99
• St. John's Bay mens leather jackets at $69.88

Stocking stuffer idea: Cooks hot/cold double wall beverage cup at $4.88.

Kohl's   12551 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax, 703-802-8063

Black Friday opening: 3 a.m.
Eary Bird Specials run from 3 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Store hours: 3 a.m. to midnight.

Special notes: For every $50 you spend from November 24 to November 28th you receive $10 off in Kohl's cash.

• 1/8 ct T.W. Diamond Solitaire Earrings set in 14k Gold for  $29.99.
• Shift 3 Charging Station (charges up to 4 electronic devices all in one spot) at $17.99
• Urban Pipeline long sleeve raglan or solid thermal tops for young men at $9.99
• Save 40-50% on Vera Wang for Misses during their early bird special hours of 3 a.m.  -1 p.m.

Stocking stuffer idea: Sonoma 2/pack slipper socks for her (early bird special) 

Lowe's 13856 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly (703) 376-6300

Black Friday opening: 6 a.m.
Special notes: All sales are for while supplies last. Limited quantities available.

• DeWalt 18 volt Compact NiCD Cordless Drill for $99
• Shop-Vac 14 gallon Wet/Dry Vac for $29
• 10" 13 AMp Table Saw for $59
• Skill 10" Compound Miter Saw for$59

Stocking stuffer idea: Scoop up on their Task Force 50 piece screwdriver set for  $4.98

Macy's 1651 International Dr ., McLean, 703-556-0000

Black Friday opening: 4 a.m.
Morning Specials run from 4 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday/8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday

Special notes:  Macy's is offering a special extra 20% off of coats for misses, petites and women as well as for knit tops for misses and men's leather outerwear. Don't forget to clip their upcoming Black Friday coupon for $10 off a purchase of $25 or more.  Quantities are limited and restrictions apply to door buster deals.

• Sunbeam 4 quart standing mixer for just $59.99 (after $10 rebate, just $49.99)
• Classic Men's Tommy Hilfiger Leather jacket for $99.99
• Cultured freshwater pearl and diamond earrings and pendant set in sterling silver $99
• Reversible doggie bed on sale for $17.99

Stocking stuffer idea: Godiva chocolate...$2.36

Radio Shack 322 Maple Ave W, Vienna, (703) 281-1510

Black Friday opening: 5 a.m.
Special notes:  Quantities are limited. No rain checks. Secret hint: You can get Shack Friday prices starting on Thanksgiving day at their website...

• Flip Video UltraHD 720p Camcorder for $129.99
• Garmin 4.3" GPS with acoRoute for just $99.99.
• 15.6 Notebook with AMD Athlon II Dual Core Processor 3GB Memory, 320 GB Hard Drive just $349.99
• 8GB iPod Touch (minimum 2 per store) $229.99

Stocking stuffer idea: Need a cell phone but don't really need the massive minute/usage plan? Grab their AT&T GoPhone Samsung a107 for $9.99. Minutes are extra.

Sears  12000 Fair Oaks Mall  Fairfax, 703-385-2299

Black Friday opening: 4 a.m.
Doorbuster Deals: 4 a.m. - Noon

Special notes: More than 599 Doorbusters. Grab their coupon for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more of apparel, intimate apparel or accessories, valid 4 a.m. to noon.

• 48" Air-Powered Hockey Table just $39.99
• Panasonic 37" Class 1080p LCD HDTV only $469.99 
• Vivitar 2x Digital Zoom Camcorder for (dare I say it?) $19.99
• Dresses for infants, toddlers and girls are 60% off during doorbuster hours.

Stocking stuffer idea: Covington and Joe Boxer women's gloves $2.99

Target 12197 Sunset Hills Rd.,  Reston, 703-478-0770

Black Friday opening: 4 a.m.
Doorbuster Deals 4a.m. to 10 a.m.

Special notes: The store is having a special "Pre-Black Friday" sale from Nov. 21 to Nov. 24. The store will close at 11 p.m. on Black Friday. Remember, items will go fast - quantities are limited. Receive a free $10 Target gift card when you spend $100 or more in the store (this is limited to one per guest between the hours of 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Black Friday - restrictions apply).

• Westinghouse 40"  60Hz 1080p LCD HDTV for just $298.
• Phillips Dual-Screen Portable DVD Player with two headset $85. 
• 8GB iPod Nano - just $145
• Toy Story 3 DVD $13 

Stocking stuffer idea:  Marley and Me DVD for just $3.99 

Toys R Us  2001 International Dr., McLean, 703-288-3591

Black Friday opening: Black Friday sales begin Thursday night at 10 p.m.

Special notes:  Free FAO Schwarz Express Classic Wind-Up Tin Train with any FAO purchase totaling $35 or greater. Quantities on all items are limited, no rain checks. Doorbuster sales start at 10PM Thanksgiving night - Friday 10 p.m. There also appears to be a coupon for a Free $10 Toys R Us gift card when you have a qualifying purchase of $75 or more.

• GeoTrax Christmas in Toytown $99.99.
• Leapfrog ClickStart My First Computer $19.99
• Free Talking Fairytale Adventure Dora with any Dora the Explorer purchase valued at $75 or more.   
• Riptunes 2 GB MP3 player  $15.99.

 Stocking stuffer idea:  Imaginext Toy Story 3 Vehicles for $14.99     

WalMart   13059 Fair Lakes Parkway Fairfax, 703-631-9450

Black Friday opening: (please note that many WalMarts operate 24/7)

Doorbuster Deals: 5 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Special notes: Electronics/doorbuster deals start at 5 a.m. and run till 11 a.m. Friday only. Supplies are limited, so shop early. No rain checks.

• Xbox 360 4GB Video Game System with Bonus (Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2 and Mass Effect 2) $199
• LG Blue-ray Disc Player for $94. (Bonus: buy this Blu-ray and receive $10 in free movie credits)
• Samsung Dual View PL100 Digital Camera $99
• Toy Story , three 12" Karate Action Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody or Jessie figure (non-talking version) $ 12 each

Stocking stuffer ideas:  Barbie Totally Hair or Mermaid Tail Doll, a 10 pack of Hot Wheels, or grab the "The Blind Side" DVD  for $5.00 each.

Have a happy and easy shopping experience!

Store

Doorbuster Tickets/Sales

Black Friday Opening Hours

Best Buy

3 a.m.

5 a.m.

JC Penney

N/A

4 a.m.

Kohl's

N/A

3 a.m.

Lowe's

N/A

6 a.m.

Macy's

N/A

4 a.m.

Radio Shack

N/A

5:30 a.m.

Sears

N/A

4 a.m.

Target

N/A

4a.m.

Toys R Us

N/A

10 p.m. Thanksgiving night - 10 p.m. Black Friday

WalMart

5 a.m.

Some stores are always 24/7