Thank you to all who entered Best Buy's Black Friday VIP contest! Check out the winning entries below. We look forward to sharing your holiday traditions with you on Black Friday and throughout the entire holiday season!

 

Andrew in Atlanta, GA

The dawn has not yet broken, and I am awakened by the tiny sound of the alarm from my cell phone. My wife groans and rolls over, she will be the beneficiary of my early morning excursion, but will not be an active participant, ensuring her surprise and joy on Christmas morning. It is not easy to rise so early, stumbling through the dark, glancing at the detritus of the thanksgiving feast scattered about the house, but it is completely worth it. This is the only real chance for the holiday to be all it should be. Waiting for the regular shopping hours would prove too costly and vastly reduce the largess of holiday spirit. I think of myself at this time as being one of Santa's elves, rising early to my appointed tasks, but filled with a certain joy. The season is here, and I will be amongst friends, those I have gotten to know in years past, standing in line, cold but elated, ready for the rush. Some are here for themselves, having waited for so long for something that was beyond their reach, and soon it will be theirs. Others are like me, here in service of something greater, excited by the opportunity to bring joy to friends or family. We are all here together, looking across the half full parking lot, enjoying the camaraderie of the frugal, ready and waiting for Christmas to begin. Merry Christmas, and God bless us everyone.

Kim in Baltimore, MD

My sister and I are best friends. We use to work together and now that she has started a family, we have drifted apart. She lives further away and I am starting a family of my own as well, and, again, moving further away. Holidays are a huge thing for our family and the day after thanksgiving is one of the days just my sister and I get to share! Last year was the most fun. I know it may sound like an illness but we love waiting in line, in the freezing cold, at 1 o'clock in the morning with no sleep, just to talk to each other and be with one another. Then once the doors open we are a team. We go to each end of the store and luckily our cell phones will work in case we see something the other may like or need. Once we hit the major stores we want, we then go out to eat. After we are done eating, we think about what stores we can go back to or hit next. By 3 o'clock we are so tired but still enthusiast that we got things are other family members would love! Only my sister would stand out in the cold for hours on end with me just to share in the togetherness!

Eric in Boston, MA

Dark, raw, open air. I stand, blurry-eyed, trying vainly to focus on anything but the steam rising from the coffee mug inches under my nose. I breathe deeply, inhaling the bitter, robust coffee scent, and feel my body awakening. How did I get here? And where exactly is here?... To my left is my girlfriend, buried under layers of winter-wear. Looking vaguely as lost as I, she smiles and asks, What time is it? I look at my watch, illuminated softly in the darkness, 3:30. Could that possibly be a.m.? I am suddenly aware of the people surrounding us, in front and behind; a line. And a long line, at that. It all comes rushing back: our tradition. Black Friday. Rummaging advertisements, planning gifts, making strategies: We've been preparing for weeks. Now, still fat on turkey and stuffing from the day before, we stand with complete strangers, yet all feel a unique bond we are The Few. This isn't a day of shopping; its an expedition. A personal challenge, combined with an ambitious plan of attack. This is a source of stories for the holidays and a time-valued strategy to achieve holiday glory on a budget. There's also a competitive nature involved, of course. The legal jargon, Supplies limited, first-come first-serve, stashed in all our minds. To the distant east, rays of light break the darkness. In front, a man in a blue and yellow polo-shirt unlocks a door. Best Buy is open for business: Game On.

Amanda in Chicago, IL

Black Friday is not only an anticipated tradition for my family, but it is also a desired yearly event that brings our family and friends closer together. In 1996, my dad, my brother Eric, and I started the tradition and now we have over thirteen family members occupying tents, trying to keep warm, while waiting in line together. We begin preparing for Black Friday in October by cleaning out my dads van and loading up our Black Friday necessities. The green machine is parked everyday of the year except for Black Friday. Every year we go to the Best Buy storefront on Thanksgiving at 3pm, but don't worry, we bring our Thanksgiving traditions with us. We eat our turkey diner and watch Thanksgiving football while waiting in line. From coolers to tents, we have it all. A simple checklist that we use consists of heaters, blankets, cards, televisions, tents, chairs, food, and the Best Buy ad! I know that this year will be extremely hard on my family because Eric died in April. Black Friday is so important to me because some of the best memories I have of Eric are at Best Buy on Black Friday. Not only is Best Buy's Black Friday event a family tradition, it is also extremely meaningful for me because I met my husband three years ago while waiting in line. Black Friday at Best Buy started as a way to catch the best deals, but is now a treasured family tradition!

Cassandra in Cleveland, OH

My brother, Cory, and I started Black Friday shopping when I was 19 and he was 12. I came home from college and he was desperate to get a Game Boy. Money was tight and mom said if we could get it at the low Black Friday price then he could have that as his one and only Christmas gift. We struck out that day, but a new tradition and relationship formed in the early morning hours in the bitter Cleveland cold.

Every year since, my brother and I have battled the elements and crazy shoppers to try to find the 'elusive' Black Friday deal. Some years we hit the jackpot and other years we strike out. Whatever the outcome, I know I am always the winner.

I am 29 now and married. We even have incorporated my husband into our Black Friday adventure. It is fun to see my husband scheming and forming a game plan with my brother. The early morning hours fly quickly and we always end the day with breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

Exhausted, we reminisce about our great finds of the day and of years past. I don't know if he realizes how much the time we spend together means to me but I will treasure it forever. This is a tradition that has survived 10 years and great geographic distance. No matter where we are in life we meet for Black Friday.

Liz in Dallas, TX

Two Thanksgivings ago, I had just been diagnosed with a disease. As the holiday approached, my disease was put aside for some much needed relaxation with my family. We were enjoying dessert when the subject of Black Friday came to play. 'This is right up my alley I exclaimed!' My children needed a new computer and Best Buy had a great deal for Black Friday.

Scared, and unsure of my future, I decided that if that is what they wanted, by gosh we were going to do it! We bundled up and camped out for 8 hours. It ended up being one of the best times of my life! We had so much fun singing songs with others, playing games and just laughing. This time that I spent with my children meant more to me than anything in the world! They too had been so preoccupied with my diagnosis, and this was just what the Dr ordered. Everyone in line was just enjoying the party with us!

We didn't get the computer, but we really weren't upset, we gained something much more precious, a wonderful holiday memory of a time that could have been so filled with fright, but ended up becoming something magical that none of us will ever forget.

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and I can't wait for another Black Friday!

Sarah in Denver, CO

To some Valentines Day is the holiday for love- but for me and my husband Black Friday is what brings out the sweethearts in us! Our first date was spent waiting in line outside Best Buy during Black Friday 2003. Six years later we're still acting like the love-struck college students by making Black Friday at Best Buy an annual tradition and date.

We wake up extremely early every Black Friday energized with thoughts of half-off sugar plums dancing in our heads. To make the day special we start off with my homemade pumpkin waffles and hot cocoa, the breakfast of deal-chasing champions. We revisit that first Black Friday date by wearing the same winter coats and matching scarves we did six years ago, now faded with time, but still protecting us from the cold. Cuddled together, we patiently wait outside in the blistering cold for stores to open. We always ask another Black Friday fan to capture the moment with our camera adding to the yearly pictures we have collected from Black Friday that decorated our mantel throughout the year.

While some women may prefer their husbands in tight tank tops running on a beach, nothing says "hubba hubba" like my husband in his clunky snow boots weaving his way through a crowd, trying to reach for that must-have gadget of the season. Black Friday is the day we celebrate our tradition, our love, and hopefully finally grabbing the last Nintendo Wii off the shelf!

Michael in Detroit, MI

Tent... check; Sleeping Bags... check; Snacks... check; Hot Coffee.... I think we're ready.

Thanksgiving 2008 will be the 5th annual 'Overnight-Camping & Deal Chasing Extravaganza' I've had the fortune to share with my 13 year-old twins. Each year, we have to get to the store a little earlier, but it never dampens their enthusiasm. As part of an annual all-night ritual, they play Football in the parking lot, drink hot chocolate and make new friends. One of my favorite memories was when they learned to play Texas Hold-Ôem, using Ritz Crackers as poker chips.

As a child, my Thanksgiving memories involve going to a relative's house to eat, play games and watch football. These are fond memories, indeed. In the case of my boys, however, I can guarantee one thing. 30-years from now... as they reminisce about their childhood Thanksgiving..... Black Friday at Best Buy will center among unforgettable images of a special time with their Dad.

Jonathan in Houston, TX

Every year for the last 5 years, my best friends and I have brought our Tent, our Xbox, Big Screen TV, and all the Thanksgiving Food we can pack, and spend the 36 to 48 hours before the doors open, at the front doors of our local Best Buy Store.

At first, we did it to get the amazing deals, but now, we have regular friends we will see each year, and it's more about getting in the mood for the Holidays than the actual doorbusters. Our wives (We are all about 25 years old) always come by late the night before to bring Hot Chocolate and Cinnamon Rolls and to meet any of our new friends that we might have met, and to cheer us on. We always bring party games and the people in line always come to our tent because we do Guitar Hero/Rock Band and Halo Competitions.

We have been on the local news a few times now, and people always ask us why we do it. The answer is simply because it's so fun and so worth it! When else do you get a chance to camp outside of a store in a tent, with your closest friends, for the best deals, and to get the season started off right? This year, just like every other, I will be at Best Buy and I hope to be the VIP.

James in Los Angeles, CA

Thanksgiving morning, no time for turkey or stuffing

Wake up early run to the line huffing and puffing

Me and my brothers, we've been doing it for years

Laughing so hard we're almost in tears

Door busters and sales it's not really what matters

We're all so busy, we've got a lot on our platters

Hours spent reminiscing about Christmas' gone by

Gaudy sweaters, bikes, and Styrofoam planes that fly

Remembering our family whose time has passed

Talking about friends over the years that we've amassed

The moment is near all of us can hardly wait

The cards are brought out; a game of Gin Rummy is our fate

Hours will be spent matching diamonds and clubs

Making new friends for which our elbows rub

The line has grown nearly triple in size

Everyone hoping they get the truly ÒBest BuysÓ

The hour is 4 the buzz starts to build

In a short time our carts will be filled

A TV, a laptop, maybe some video games

Our lists are different our agendas the same

Gifts for loved ones are what we are after

A Christmas morning filled with electronics and laughter

It's Black Friday again, the best time of the year

Time with my brothers; the day is almost here!

Jonathan in Miami, FL

The day after Thanksgiving is a holiday known to my friends as ÒStachegivingÓ. So every year most of my friends gather in lines on black Friday at best buy all of us sporting fantastic mustaches of all shapes and forms. Black Friday and Stachegiving go hand in hand. What other day can I be surrounded by competitively priced electronics and a plethora of mustaches. Like Stachegiving best buy's black Friday is a yearly ritual. Sure we have to wake up real early and it is chaotic, but in the end its always ultimately worth it, as long as I have a mustache!

Tina in Minneapolis, MN

The dictionary describes a tradition as ÒA practice, custom, or story that is memorized and passed down from generations to generations.Ó For the last five years, my significant other and I have decided that our own holiday traditions needed to be started for us and our future family. From cutting down the tree each year, to visiting unique tourist destinations to show on our holiday card that we send to all of our friends and family, and to, yes, sleeping outside our favorite Best Buy store in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota right after we get done eating our Thanksgiving meal. This is a day that we have looked forward to each and every year. Getting to snuggle next to your loved one and meeting your neighbors that are there to start their holiday traditions along with you. When the stores open up at 5am, which starts out the special day and season to mark the start of the holidays and the many memories that are to be made by the gifts we are about to purchase. And just when we leave the Best Buy parking lot, when we have so many boxes that the truck is overloaded and we have to figure out how to put all the passengers in the cab as well, we go home to unload and hit the road to continue shopping the entire day and sometimes weekend long. Our holidays always start with Best Buy which has been our tradition for going on six years now.

Denise in New York, NY

Black Friday is a tradition for my mom and I for as long as I can remember. After the guests leave on Thanksgiving night my mom and I sit down and come up with 'The Plan'. The plan is usually she'll make the coffee and turkey sandwiches, I make the list of the 'must have' items, then I do price comparisons and Google review the items. At about 11pm we head out into the cold darkness and spend the rest of the night reminiscing and laughing about Black Fridays of year's past. We take turns at getting warm in the car and having snacks... then once the door opens we don't see each other for about 45 minutes, because we each run to our designated must haves. After we purchase our deals of the year we head back home and sleep a little before having a left over dinner together. Sometimes when I think about it, I don't know if I love Black Friday for the deals, or for the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary with my mom - my best friend. Everyone else in our family calls us crazy, but we just give each other a little glance, and laugh them off - we know that you are either a die hard Black Friday shopper or you just don't understand.

Brooke in Orlando, FL

Once there was a family of four

Never was there a family who liked bargains more

Four years ago my story begins

Right after yummy thanksgiving din dins

Two looked through a best buy black Friday ad

And began to write down their list on a pad

Their eyes were growing wide with excitement

So they decided we'd all sleep outside the store in a tent

The dishes were left for the morning to come

Because everyone knows getting there past seven is dumb

Throughout the night line jumpers were confronted

For there were great best buy deals to be hunted

As we studied and scanned the ad for more deals

Our tired minds stayed active with slow turning wheels

We knew that ad backward and forward not just the gist

Which is how we added twenty more items to the list

The employees and security were helpful and kind

If I snuck in early do you think they would mind

Ha Ha Ha just kidding I know that angry mob

It's just that waiting all night had me dreaming of the door knob

The doors opened at five thirty one

We got all we went for, it was good family fun

Charles in Philadelphia, PA

Black Friday. Floating on a turkey-induced euphoria from the feast the night before, my father and I awaken to the too-loud holiday music blaring from our alarm clocks. We rush about the house in giddy anticipation, showering and dressing. I'd pull the doorbuster and coupon clippings off the 'fridge and set them on the kitchen table. Over my father's special pumpkin-spiced eggnog (MMM!), we sort through the clippings, deciding on which store to hit first; our mission. Our own private battle plan. THIS year, my father and I would be the ones with the best strategy, striking the perfect balance of time and location.

Our list set, we drive into the early morning darkness, eggnog warming our bellies. The headlights catch morning frost. A hint of winter. The few cars we pass, I wonder, where are these early-morning shoppers headed? Surely their plans weren't as effective as ours... surely.

We arrive at our first store of the morning. The shoppers in line by the big glass doors, their hot breath fogs the crisp air, their eyes locked on the big glass doors in anticipation. We take our place in line. Everyone watches the clock. The countdown to the holiday season. Hours, minutes... seconds away. The snick of a lock. We hold our breath as those big glass doors to Best Buy slide open, warm air and cheerful employees greeting our beaming faces.

Michael in Phoenix, AZ

I was 13 the first time I shopped on Black Friday. At 3:45, mom woke me, nudging my shoulder, asking if I still wanted to come. By 4:30, I stood with my parents waiting for the store to open. We drank hot chocolate, and mom told stories of past Christmases: Baking with grandma; presents given and received; and friends I know only through the pictures her words painted. Dad had stories, too, and jokes which he whispered in my ear.

When the doors opened, mom acted as general, sending us off to hunt for dishes, cameras and radios. Keeping pace with mom was difficult, and when we returned home I was exhausted. Still, we had bags of gifts, and we saved lots of money.

That morning was the first time I understood what really went into making a holiday. Until then, holidays simply happened. On Christmas, there were presents. At Thanksgiving, there was food. At Halloween, neighbors waited by their doors to give me candy. But that day, I helped. I shopped with my parents. We picked out gifts, debated which chocolates to get, which cards, and for whom. We wrapped presents, told stories and smiled uncontrollably.

For the first time, I participated in the building of my family's Christmas. And that's a better gift than Ill ever find under the tree. That's why I'm up early each Black Friday, pouring hot chocolate for my own children and waiting for the doors to open so a season can begin.

Robert in Pittsburgh, PA

Hot chocolate.

Sleeping bags.

Hope.

Year after year, in stores from Dayton, Ohio; Lexington, Kentucky; Greensburg and Cranberry, Pennsylvania; the locations have changed for me, but the story is always the same. The traditional morning after Thanksgiving adventure to Best Buy.

It all begins Thanksgiving Day with great food followed by pouring over the store ad with football playing in the background.

The following morning we try to coax ourselves to get up earlier year after year with the promise of late morning pancakes and coffees with friends to accompany our early morning prizes.

Upon arrival the lines are wrapped around the store with cheery faces all looking to make the great purchase that will kick off the perfect holiday season. People re-unite with mere acquaintances with hope that they may improve their line position. There are always smiling employees distributing hot drinks and updates from the store with a fervor that belies the hour.

There is always that first person that emerges from the store with the look that shows some distain for those shoppers (who chose not to arrive at the store right after grandma put away the pumpkin pie), but also tinged with empathy for these poor unfortunates that have yet to enter the threshold of the store into the brilliance of the Best Buy lights and sales.

Just for once! I want to be that person!

But, until then, I have my treasures.

And, pancakes. Mmmm, pancakes.

Nick in Portland, OR

Rain poured. God himself was weeding out the weak, testing devotion. Darkness engulfed everything, fighting the streetlights, the will of the determined. 3am and only the ads were keeping the hearts of the few from despair. Hours ago you could count the people in line on your hands, now the line was longer. Disappointment fell on the hearts of those just arriving, jealousy, possibly a little animosity towards us. You see, my cousin, brother, and I were only behind 2 other people! They were, at this point in time, gods. As far as we knew they had always been there, waiting, fighting the cold, making a stand against sleep and against darkness. We faced the fact that we weren't first, but we were part of the elite. This was an honor because what they wouldn't have guessed, is this was our first time, our first Black Friday. I was 18, just graduated high school and starting a new life. College required laptops and I was broke. Best Buy was, in this case, my savior. This experience would start an annual tradition that would supercede need. Do we NEED to fight the Oregon weather every year? Do we NEED arrested development season 2? Well, maybe. If nothing else, we NEED the memories, dare I say, the Legends. I graduated again this year and am starting another new life. It requires more than laptops! So 7 years later, MBA in hand, the pouring rain and darkness will find us yet again.

Tamla in Sacramento, CA

Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire, jack frost nipping at your nose is more like it. For the last six years my family (Dad, Mom, five sisters, three brothers and my husband) has made BF an adventure. As soon as BF ads are available we all meet over dinner and strategize. On Thanksgiving Day we have a few bites of turkey, stuffing and Mom's famous peach cobbler then off to the lines we go. Anxiously awaiting the best shopping day of the year, we camp out. Equipped with tents, hot soup and cider we brave the freezing temperatures hoping to get that too good to miss sale item. Dressed in warm winter parkas, comfortable running shoes and Bluetooths blazing our best runners anticipate the start of the big show. Out of breath and out of cash we meet back at Mom and Dad's to celebrate another victorious black Friday. By 8 a.m., the deed is done and we all chuckle at the late comers. Amateurs, we mutter as we cheerfully leave; door-busters in hand. Inevitably, someone asks, why, why do you do it? I look them in the eyes and say, Seeing the look on my babies' faces on Christmas morning I know it was worth the two broken nails, the tank full of gas and the icy-hot rub down I need when it's all said and done. All in all, nothing and I mean nothing beats Black Friday!

Marcos in San Diego, CA

Turkey day has come and gone.

Filled with goodies, I begin to yawn.

We head out to our local Best Buy,

Blankets and sweaters, my brother and I.

We head out with arm chairs in tow,

Lured to the parking lot by the bright yellow glow.

As we await on this annual pilgrimage,

We laugh as we think how the store will be pillaged

As the night goes on, we wait on the floor

We begin to clamor to get closer to the door

A group of two turns into more

As families arrive to await the galore

The line turns into a festive atmosphere

As the morning dawn draws ever near

We gather our things to take to the car

We await the final minutes, as it is not that far

The doors swing open and we begin our quest

Grabbing door busters and deals, nothing but the best

In and out, done by 15 after,

Purchases made, we gloat in our laughter

We have to wait to leave the parking lot

Parking spaces are truly hard fought

We have been interviewed on TV for being so quick

This year I do not know that we will have the same schtick

Loot and gifts, brother and all

Best Buy and Black Friday to avoid the mall

That's the reason that I am writing this poem,

So that I can do my shopping early and return to my home

Roy in San Francisco, CA

My absolute favorite time of the year is the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Black Friday is like a Christmas Season Kick-Off Party with no limits. I think my favorite part of the Holiday (if you can call it that) is my Grandmother. Nana has always been a bargain hunter, but toward recent years she doesn't have the energy or health to shop the way she used to. Black Friday, however, doesn't count. This woman could be on her death bed and yet has no problems scrapping with even the burliest of men to get the deals she's looking for. Only on Black Friday will you see this woman go from rolling in a wheelchair to pushing a shopping cart, from oxygen tank to fisticuffs and from sweet and innocent to downright mean and dirty. It is every year on this day that I realize that Nana isn't in poor health year round, she is simply resting for 364 days (365 on a leap year) so she can come out in full force on one day a year. So this year, when I see her get slightly peppy on Thanksgiving and filling up on turkey, I will know this is really just her pre game meal. So let this serve as your warning. Shoppers Beware: Feisty Nana on the Loose, Shop at Your Own Risk.

Kate in Seattle, WA

Every Black Friday for the last seven years, I have gone out shopping with my son. A few nights before, we usually sign up for some automated wake up call service online to get us up on time (although we are usually up and excited before we ever get this call). The night before, my son always creates an Excel spreadsheet with the stores, products, prices, and hours; in the order of 'need.' Since Brady (my son) isn't interested much in the clothing and such, we usually go to all of the stores he enjoys (the electronics ones). I usually get one or two things for him that I try to hide, but know I can't... but as long as he acts surprised on Christmas it's all fine. Then after all is said and done, we retire back across the bridge to a nice cup of hot apple cider and a coooookie. Of course, after this long day of shop shop shopping, we are exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep.

Jason in St. Louis, MO

Knock on our door past 2pm on Thanksgiving and you'll be greeted with an eerie silence. No children are picking over pumpkin pie. No snoring will be heard from overstuffed family members crashed on the sofa. Wait, before you make a run for the nearest police station or call the papers to report alien abductions, do me a favor and swing by the nearest Best Buy retail store. Standing in line, with what will become good friends before the night is over, you will find our family fighting the unavoidable cold with blankets, jackets, and hot cocoa. We represent one of many in search of that one deal that will make us the envy of the entire neighborhood. We have been called crazy, weird, die hard and other choice words. It doesn't matter. To us the Black Friday sale at Best Buy has become a family ritual like none other. We no longer savor our Thanksgiving meal. We have traded in the traditional feast for a quick inhalation of turkey and stuffing followed by cocoa and coffee from the gas station nearby our Best Buy. This is where we make our final stand waiting in anticipation for the opening of the doors as the blue shirts come meandering among us bringing the cherished slips of paper that will guarantee us this year's best buys. If you need us, we will be there, just waiting for the doors to open at our coveted Best Buy. See you there!

Christina in Tampa, FL

Our family gathers around the table for a hot meal. I pass the mashed potatoes to my sister as my brother devours his food. Chills run down my spine as a cold breeze sweeps by me. Those surrounding us watch as we warm our body and soul through a loving family's Thanksgiving dinner. Like a child waiting to open presents on Christmas morning, we anticipate the opening doors of our Black Friday destination.

To pass the time, we play Texas Hold'Em, using potato chips instead of poker chips. My brother tends to lose first because he is unable to resist the crispy chips in front of him. We sing random songs and people around us join in. One year, my birthday landed on Black Friday. We celebrated it by blowing candles off Pizza Hut pizzas, and my wish came true when I was able to get the Kodak digital camera at Best Buy.

The end of the year brings my family closer together because of the back-to-back holidays. But unlike the other holidays, Black Friday allows our family to bond together in a different way since we are confined in one area. Spending time together is difficult for our family because we all have our own schedules. So this time is special to us, allowing us to do things that we would never do together. We set aside our differences to have the same state-of-mind, the goal to purchase the items we've been longing for all year.

David in Washington, DC

Why do I like this special day:

B - Bring warm clothes, a friend, coffee, patience, and your best holiday attitude.

E - Everyone will be trying to get the same things you want, but that is part of the excitement.

S - Sales people will cheerfully welcome you at 5am and help you find your goodies.

T - Try not to be disappointed if you don't get a laptop - you'll find something else just as good!

B - Bring your gifts home and stash them where no one will find them (don't forget where!).

U - Use your best poker face when you tell your family that all you got was 'just printer paper and blank CDs'.

Y - You can't wait to do it all again next year!