Find Black Friday Deals, Gift Ideas, and Holiday Shopping Locations in and around Springfield, IL

If you love the fray, seize the chance to shine on Black Friday! It’s the biggest, busiest shopping event of the year, and training for success starts here!

Shops and stores around the country will be cutting deals on Friday, November 26 and on Cyber Monday, discounts will barrage the web. Know the shopping circuit in and around Springfield and find out where to go and what’s hot to buy in 2010.  

Strategy is key, so start by setting some gift giving goals. Take a tour of this year’s popular items for men, women and children and find retailers near you in Illinois

The Kids

Technology

Looking for something smart and modern? Check out the Fisher-Price iXL 6-in-1 Learning System. This digital booklet gives toddlers a head start on the tech scene while introducing crucial reading, numbers, phonics and spelling skills.

For the older set, try video games and game consoles. The XBox 360 Kinect, PlayStation Move, and the portable Nintendo DSi XL are big 2010 hits. Purchase them at local electronics stores around Springfield.

Education

Prefer to keep things old-fashioned? There are tons of puzzles, models, and curiosities available at the Discovery Store. Like, how cool would it be to build this 3-foot Ultimate T-Rex Skeleton Model?

Or books! Simple paper and ink can sweep young minds away and educate them before they ever know what hit ‘em! Find classics like The Giving Tree, Little Women, and The Polar Express at Amazon.com, plus contemporary reads like Harry Potter, now available in box set. Or get interpersonal! Take your patronage to a bookstore to browse literature for children and young adults.

Having the right tools can make all the difference at school, so pick up some fun supplies at a stationary store. The smaller items make terrific stocking stuffers. You can also grab arts & crafts equipment to get the creativity flowing.

Toys

Kites and yo-yo’s are here to stay, but lots of kids have them already. Why not try something unusual—like the new Matchbox Stinky The Garbage Truck . This versatile sanitation vehicle can sing, joke and eat trash. It’s a new twist on an old theme that just might make even the messiest kids want to clean up. Find Stinky at Amazon.com, along with lots of other great gifts.

Here’s something else: A Year ‘Round Sled. Every year, millions of kids are forced to stop sliding the slopes at the end of the snow season. In some towns, no snow falls at all. But thanks to this innovative toy, weather is no longer an obstacle. The Year ‘Round Sled comes with two removable, plastic ice molds that can be filled with water, frozen and reattached to the sled’s bottom, for frictionless sledding on any terrain.

Explore all sorts of cool toys at local Illinois toyshops.

Men and Women

Of course, the perfect gift depends on the individual you’re buying for. For a little help coming up with ideas, browse our list of popular gifts for men and women by category of interest.

Men

Technology

Exciting things are happening in the technology scene and Apple has been a major player once again, cranking out coveted devices this year like the iPod Touch and the iPad . If they don’t have it yet, chances are they want it. Buy them online at Amazon.com.

TV & Movies

For the media-minded, consider a DVD set of a hit television series, like Glee, Lost, The Wire, or Mad Men. Also now available on DVD are 2010 film hits Inception, Toy Story 3, and The Twilight Saga .  

Tools

Give 9 gifts in 1 with the Swiss Tech MPCSSS-EX Micro Plus EX 9-in-1 Key Ring Tool Kit. The compact, stainless steel gadget is equipped with 4 screwdrivers (Phillips head and flat), pliers, wire cutters, wire stripper, wire crimper, and a bottle opener. Attach it to his key chain and he’ll pretty much be covered.

The Emergency Fire Starter is another great gift, especially for the outdoorsman. Its sleek sheets of magnesium spark when shaved by a metal striker, making it simple to start up a campfire with a bit of dry grass or leaves. 

Accessories

Chuck the worn leather and try out a cool bright Jimi Wallet. It slides open smoothly, cuts down on bulk, and its bold plastic shell is water-resistant. 

Sports

There’s no end to gift options in the sporting goods field. For the guy who’s into golf, check out the ProActive Sports Trunk It Golf Gear Organizer, a durable nylon bag with customizable storage space and special mesh panels to ventilate golf shoes.

Women

Relaxation

Since everyone gets a little tense at times, you can hardly go wrong with a pass to relax at a local spa or massage parlor. Get her an appointment near Springfield.

If a woman on your list likes to get pampered, why not book her an afternoon for a beauty day? Contact a local salon to set up a facial, haircut, or manicure and pedicure.

Jewelry

A carefully chosen piece of jewelry can pack a lot of meaning. Find shimmering earrings, bracelets and rings at Zales or at a local jeweler’s.

Antique shops and second-hand stores often carry unique pieces that just can’t be found at a mall. Head to a shop near Springfield to see if you can’t uncover a gem: 

Apparel

A gorgeous scarf or winter sweater is not likely to fail, especially when chosen with care. Consider her tastes and find something she’ll love to keep her warm. Head to a local clothing boutique and explore the racks, or steal a glimpse at her boot sole and find great footwear to fit her at a local shoe store. 

Technology

Amazon’s Kindle is a great buy for a woman who travels often or commutes. The wireless digital reader can download books in just 60 seconds and holds a library of up to 3,500 titles. It’s also lightweight, with a specially-designed screen that’s kind to the eyes. Get it at Amazon.com.