Commentary by Joe Drozda and Bob Bley
Since 1932, Thanksgiving weekend has been regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the U.S. This is the best time to think of tailgating equipment and gear, because tailgate stuff is a group of items greatly reduced in price to clear store shelves of goods not needed until next spring’s camping season. Usually, football fans miss Black Friday events due to scheduling of games important to them. That’s OK, however, because there’s more to tailgate bargains than just on one day. They last at least a whole week. “Forbes Entrepreneurs” reported in 2013 that Cyber Monday, the online counterpart to Black Friday, has been gaining unprecedented popularity — to the point where cyber sales are continuing throughout the week, earning the name Cyber Week. Here is our short guide for shopping for the tailgater:
- Make a list of things you have found that you need.
- Exclude cutesy things like: spatulas with school logos; odd shaped tables; games you don’t need; grills with built-in coolers; things the wind will blow away.
- Find the items you want online.
- Check the availability of your items with local stores with online shopping.
- Compare the online prices with those at your local stores.
- Always ask for a price match if the local price is higher.
- Don’t pay shipping unless there is no other option.
Christmas shopping season can be an ordeal, so to make sure you have energy to stay out and make one more stop, try these Chex bars. Make a good supply to carry on your trip.
Holiday shopping snacks: Chex bars
Ingredients:
5 3/4 cups Chocolate Chex™ cereal
3/4 cup salted peanuts
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup M&M’s chocolate candies and/or Reece’s Pieces™
Directions:
Spray the bottom and sides of 9-by-13 baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix cereal and peanuts. In a saucepan, heat corn syrup and sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it first boils. Remove from heat; add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture in bowl, stirring until evenly coated. Stir in candies and press firmly in pan; then allow one hour to cool. Cut into rows of your desired size and store loosely in covered container.
