Sometimes I work the day after Thanksgiving. Twice I've headed to the mall after work and it was practically desserted. I'm not interested in the standing-in-line, break-the-door-down deals at midnight or 4 a.m. or whatever. But many of the all day sale items were available in the evening and it was easy! Other years I've shopped online that day and have saved some money on specific gifts I needed to find. I make the kids give me their Christmas list before Thanksgiving for just that reason.