Christmas season seems to start earlier and earlier every year, at least according to store displays – need some holly with your Halloween pumpkin? Still, lots of folks don’t get into the spirit until after Thanksgiving.

Once the pumpkin pie is eaten, though – watch out. It’s time to go shopping.

While some retailers open late in the day, others hold off until the wee hours of Black Friday.

Here are a few things to remember if you plan to be part of the buying brigade:

• Assess your finances and stick to a budget. It’s easy to get carried away when everything is set up to look like a bargain. Some experts suggest leaving credit cards at home and carrying only the cash you can afford to spend. That guards against unnecessary impulse purchases.

• Do your research. Check opening times for the stores you plan to hit. Comparison shop in advance via store websites or flyers. If you’re looking for a particular doorbuster item, see how many will actually be available.

• Plan your route. Save time by mapping out the most logical itinerary from store to store.

• Enlist some help. Organize family members and friends, and divvy up the shopping tasks. You can shop certain stores for certain gifts, while other team members check off items on their lists. Double the fun by making or buying your own Black Friday T-shirts, or having everyone wear antlers (or whatever).

• Don’t forget small, local shops. They’ll have the one-of-a-kind gifts that big box stores lack, and they probably are running sales too. Your purchases also help the local economy.

Here’s a list of Thanksgiving and Black Friday store hours for some major retailers. Good luck, and stay safe out there!

• Barnes & NobleThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Bath & Body WorksThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Bed Bath & BeyondThanksgiving: 5 p.m.-midnightBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Best BuyThanksgiving: 5 p.m.- 1 a.m.Black Friday: 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

• Big LotsThanksgiving: 7 a.m.-midnightBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Burlington Coat FactoryThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 7 a.m.

• CostcoThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

• CVSThanksgiving: 24-hour locations open, others varyBlack Friday: Hours vary by location

• DICK’s Sporting GoodsThanksgiving: 6 p.m.-2 a.m.Black Friday: 5 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Dollar GeneralThanksgiving: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.Black Friday: Check local store

• Dunham’s SportsThanksgiving: 3 p.m.-1 a.m.Black Friday: 5 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Five BelowThanksgiving: 6 p.m.-1 a.m.Black Friday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Galleria of Mt. LebanonThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Home DepotThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• IKEAThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

• JCPenneyThanksgiving: 2 p.m. through Friday closingBlack Friday: Through 10 p.m.

• Jo-AnnThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Kohl’sThanksgiving: 5 p.m. through Friday closingBlack Friday: Through midnight

• Lowe’sThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Macy’sThanksgiving: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.Black Friday: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

• The Mall at RobinsonThanksgiving: 6 p.m.-2 a.m.Black Friday: 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

• MarshallsThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 7 a.m., closing varies by location

• MichaelsThanksgiving: 6 p.m.-midnightBlack Friday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Monroeville MallThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Office Depot and OfficeMaxThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 8 a.m.

• Old NavyThanksgiving: Varies by store; Miracle Mile store, opens 3 p.m. Thanksgiving, closes 10 p.m. Black Friday; Tanger Outlets store opens 6 p.m. Thanksgiving, closes 10 p.m.Black Friday; Westmoreland Mall store, closed on Thanksgiving, opening 6 a.m. Black Friday

• REIThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Closed

• Rite AidThanksgiving: Most stores open 7 a.m.Black Friday: Opens 7 a.m.

• Ross Park MallThanksgiving: 5-11:59 p.m.Black Friday: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

• South Hills VillageThanksgiving: Open 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. FridayBlack Friday: Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Stage, including Peebles storesThanksgiving: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. FridayBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• Stein MartThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: Opens 7 a.m.

• Tanger OutletsThanksgiving: Opens 6 p.m.Black Friday: Open through 10 p.m.

• TargetThanksgiving: 5 p.m to 1 a.m. FridayBlack Friday: Opens 7 a.m.

• UltaThanksgiving: 6 p.m. to midnightBlack Friday: Opens 6 a.m.

• WalmartThanksgiving: Opens 6 p.m.Black Friday: Open 24 hours or through local close

• Westmoreland MallThanksgiving: ClosedBlack Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Shirley McMarlin and Mary Pickels are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shirley_trib. You can contact Mary at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaryPickels.

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