Black Friday beckons

In true week-of-Thanksgiving form, retailers are flooding my inbox with love letters pledging super sales, percent offs and not-to-be-missed-markdowns. Some even offer Black Friday survival advice – promoting everything from fashionable sneakers to scented oils that promise to revive even the most severe case of sticker shock.

And now, with a little more than 24 hours until turkey, it’s time to talk Black Friday strategy. Sure, your focus may be on getting Grandma’s sweet potatoes just right, but while you mash, consider your shopping options:

For the brave, there’s Rockin’ Shoppin’ Eve that begins outside at 8 p.m. with bands, temporary tattoos and Santa and heads indoors at 1 a.m. when the Mall itself opens for shopping. While the weather might be a bit on the frightful side, the promise of deeply discounted merch is more than enough to pull an all-nighter or set the alarm extra early.

If you value sleep – or Thanksgiving night martinis – the Old Port shopping keeps its normal hours and opens at 10 a.m. Shop downtown, but pace yourself so you can last at least until 5:30 when the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Monument Square kicks off with live music and dance.

Whatever your plan, document it for us and submit your photos to Holiday Madness – you could win Rock Band, the highly coveted (and super fun) video game that gives Guitar Hero a serious run for its money.

See you post-sale on Friday. Happy eating! And shopping!