Andrew in Atlanta, GA
The dawn has not yet broken, and I am awakened by the tiny sound of the alarm from my cell phone. My wife groans and rolls over, she will be the beneficiary of my early morning excursion, but will not be an active participant, ensuring her surprise and joy on Christmas morning. It is not easy to rise so early, stumbling through the dark, glancing at the detritus of the thanksgiving feast scattered about the house, but it is completely worth it. This is the only real chance for the holiday to be all it should be.

Kim in Baltimore, MD
My sister and I are best friends. We use to work together and now that she has started a family, we have drifted apart. She lives further away and I am starting a family of my own as well, and, again, moving further away. Holidays are a huge thing for our family and the day after thanksgiving is one of the days just my sister and I get to share! Last year was the most fun. I know it may sound like an illness but we love waiting in line, in the freezing cold, at 1 o'clock in the morning with no sleep, just to talk to each other and be with one another.

Eric in Boston, MA
Dark, raw, open air. I stand, blurry-eyed, trying vainly to focus on anything but the steam rising from the coffee mug inches under my nose. I breathe deeply, inhaling the bitter, robust coffee scent, and feel my body awakening. How did I get here? And where exactly is here?... To my left is my girlfriend, buried under layers of winter-wear. Looking vaguely as lost as I, she smiles and asks, What time is it?

Amanda in Chicago, IL
Black Friday is not only an anticipated tradition for my family, but it is also a desired yearly event that brings our family and friends closer together. In 1996, my dad, my brother Eric, and I started the tradition and now we have over thirteen family members occupying tents, trying to keep warm, while waiting in line together. We begin preparing for Black Friday in October by cleaning out my dads van and loading up our Black Friday necessities.