7 Tips On Surviving Black Friday In The Netherlands

Samudraki's Saturdays

Black Friday is originally the day when the American Christmas Shopping season starts dating back to 1952, right after Thanksgiving (Thursday). However, for millennials Black Friday is THE day of retail blitz! Not just the Friday, but the whole weekend is a whirlwind of highly promoted sales that makes it impossible for anyone to avoid. This American shopping craze has now infatuated Dutch shoppers a whole ocean away! How did this happen you ask? To be very honest, I don't know. However in the few years that I have lived in Groningen,  I have observed that getting great deals resonates very well with students and families here. The Dutch shopping culture was never like this before, in fact the Dutch are known to be thrifty and are definitely not over-spenders. 

As students, we are financially dependant on our parents so luxuries like unlimited shopping are only done on special occasions like birthdays and trips back home. However, there are some determined students who also do part-time jobs for extra cash to save money. However, in my case I saved that money for Black Friday shopping instead. You see, I am a shopaholic and I might have spent over 200 EUR earlier while "window shopping". We all know how that goes because when you put a girl and discounts together, its a recipe for disaster which burns holes in the pocket. So in this blogpost, I am going to share 7 tips that I have learned the hard way to survive Black Friday here in Netherlands. 

Tip #1 Check the available deals online 

On Thursday night, the online stores already start their Black Friday discounts and a week before their promotions are plastered all over the city and even on all social media platforms. This leaves no room to escape the deals. So take the hint and check out the deals at your favourite stores the night before. This will also give you a good idea as to what to expect in the stores. Websites like blackfridaynederland.com summarises all the stores participating in this commercial holiday of sorts with their deals and offers. 

Tip #2 Make a rough shopping list

To avoid ruining your shopping day by thinking "do I really need this?" or "can I do without that?", plan ahead and make a shopping list of the things your really want to buy from the deals you checked out the night before. I know you can't predict what you're going to get at the stores, but a small list will help you from distracting yourself and making unnecessary purchases. 

Tip #3 Draw Yourself a Map / Shopping Route

In Groningen, you honestly don't need a map because all the shops are conviently located one after the other on Herestraat. However, there are other areas that can be checked out during Black Friday deals like Westerhaven, Vismarkt and even Helpman! Shuttle between these places in a way that doesn't exhaust you by mapping out your biking/walking route to get the best of Groningen. Or just use Google Maps like how all international students do here anyways, hehe. 

Tip#4 Set a Limit on Your Bank Card

Shopaholic or not, setting a limit on your bank card is still a very good idea. So go ahead and make a rough budget per store that you expect to spend. If you also cannot self-discipline like me, just set a limit for the day at the comfort of your home by logging into your bank's website. It's as simple as a few clicks which will save you alot of bucks!

Now that all the prepping is done, get your gear on because it's time to go shopping!!! I HIGHLY suggest that you pack a bag of bags because, girl, you're going to need it. Also, if you know you're going to loot the stores just take your bike with you. It's very handy to dump all the goodies in the side bags and make your hands free to carry new ones, hehe.

Tip #5 Start Early 

It's easier said than done, trust me I know. I mean, who's going to wake up on a Friday morning just to go shopping to the city center. I think here, most of us have either Friday's off or only one lecture tops, so I get it. Remember that there are not just students here, but alot of families. These families rush after work hours to the city center to make the most of Black Friday and you do not want to be a part of that crazy crowd. It's not as aggressive as seen in the American movies, but there are lines to the cashier so long that the queue is almost at the exit - on the other end of the store!!! Besides, if you start early, you can take more breaks and give your feet some rest too.

Tip #6 Pause and Look Around

Shopping all day long is not everyone's cup of tea, so chill out and relax with a cup of tea and a stroopwaffel at the several cafes and stalls along your route. While you're at it, take a moment to pause and see all the commotion between fellow shoppers, the changing colors of the sky over time, the rush of bikers at around 4 PM, and much more. It'll give you a very memorable and different (in a good way) shopping experience.

Tip #7 Don't Forget To Hydrate and Eat

'Shopping is My Cardio' is a very common phrase, but it comes from somewhere right? So while you tread along the cobbled streets of Groningen, make sure you're hydrated and well fed. It'll only give you more energy to fight for that fuzzy Christmas sweater! Another bonus, you'll spend less money on eating out too and won't feel guilty for overspending. Been there, done that hehe. 

Lastly, I hope you guys liked this blog. Don't feel like you're missing out if you stop or if you ran out of time, because this is not just Black Friday- it lasts the whole weekend!!! You will get ample amount of time to shop to your hearts content (more like as much as you can fit on your bike, right?). 

Leave a comment in the box below and let's have a chat! Tell me about your Black Friday shopping stories (or disasters!) and your tips on surviving this unofficial day of shopping. 

XO, Samudraki