Chicago Black Friday Guide 2011

Photo: Via Handle With Care, Haberdash, M2 Boutique, Sarca, The Edit, C.O. Bigelow

Ready or not, the holidays are about to get real. After Thanksgiving dinner has turned into really righteous leftovers, it's time to gear up for shopping's most notorious 24-hours: Black Friday. Even with all the warnings, hype, hysteria, and early wake-up times, Black Friday really is the best day of the year to save cash while shopping. This season, we're not afraid of the madness— in fact, we're diving in, credit-card first. We're confident that a little pre-trip planning and some zen-like focus can result in a successful day of scores, knocking out every gift on your list. So, if you don't want to spend December stressing, read on for our guide to saving the most cash on the coolest stuff come November 25. Grab your coffee, comfy shoes, a wing-woman, and, of course, a print out of this newsletter.

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M2 Boutique: Take 25% off of your M2 accessories purchases, and get free gift wrapping while you're at it. Guys, this one's for you.
3527 North Southport Avenue (between Cornelia Avenue & Eddy Street); 773-248-9866.

Sarca: Save 20% on full-priced merchandise on Black Friday and whatever the Saturday after Black Friday is called.
710 North Wabash Avenue (at Huron Street); 312-255-0900.

Handle with Care: Score 10% off full-priced merch, and 60% off already-marked-down sale stuff. Better yet, spend $150 (easy) and get a $25 gift card! Please say you're planning to use it on yourself...
1706 North Wells Street; 312-751-2929.

The Edit: Black Friday comes with a 25% discount on all full-priced goodies at this brand-new Bucktown boutique.
1917 North Damen Avenue (at Cortland Street); 773-252-3350 .

Haberdash: Get here early and grab any full-priced item you like. Haberdash will let you take 30% off one item from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.!
1350 North Wells Street; 312-440-1300.

Le Dress: Drag your overstuffed self out of bed early–it's worth it. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., you'll save 40% off of everything at Le Dress. The discounts decrease as the day drags on, so don't slack!
1741 West Division Avenue (between Hermitage Avenue & Wood Street); 773- 697-9899.

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Topshop: Attack this one first, friends. The first 100 people in line will get a free gift (we presume just for being dedicated), and if you spend $100, you'll get a free wool bow headband (while supplies last).
830 North Michigan Avenue; 312-280-6834.

Robin Richman: Take 40% off merch at this Bucktown boutique from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Perfect for anyone who likes to sleep through the madness.
2108 North Damen Avenue (between Charleston Street & Dickens Avenue); 773-278-6150.

Threadless: From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., all Threadless T-shirts are just $10! Save this one for your impossible-to-shop-for-boys.
3011 North Broadway Street (between Wellington Avenue and Barry Avenue); 773-525-8640.

C.O. Bigelow: From 4 a.m. (we know) to 10 p. m., shoppers will score a free tote (worth $130) with fun-filled goodies including moisturizing Lemon Body Cream and Elixir Gold Body Spray with the purchase of $75 or more. Worth the wake-up time? You tell us! 5 Woodfield Mall; 847-517-7167.