Let the shopping madness begin

It is possibly the busiest early morning of the year.

Millions of people wake up early and stand outside of doors, anxiously waiting to be welcomed inside.

Yes, it is almost Black Friday.

The unofficial start of the Christmas season kicks off at approximately 5 a.m., the morning after Thanksgiving.

Stores offer incredible savings for a short amount of time. Typically the best deals end by 9 a.m., at which time the most sought-after gifts leave nothing but dust on the shelves of department stores.

I have been one of the "loons" waiting to snatch up those all important gifts for a few years now and, honestly, it is a rush.

I do take an approach unlike most shoppers.

Rather than go after the newly opened boxes and stands on the ground level, I use my height advantage to get items on shelves out of reach for many others, and it usually works.

I'll reach over people to grab electronics and other unique items for my "unique" friends and family.

After I get what I need from the "out of reach" areas, I then try to squeeze my way into cluttered areas to get other items on my list.

As the years pass by, it has become more difficult to find gifts, mainly because the people I am shopping for already have what I can think to get them.

Since I moved here a little more than two years ago, I have utilized the fairs and festivals in the area to get some of my shopping out of the way early.

Now, when Black Friday comes, I am down to getting gifts from oddball stores that won't have the lines and I can get in and out rather quickly.

Even so, it can be a risky time.

If you do go out early and face the crowds, use patience. Everyone will be rushing around, acting and driving irrationally and disregarding everything that doesn't go along with their plans.

Have a happy and hearty Thanksgiving and a safe and wonderful holiday season.