Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
File this under bad parents -- a woman in Virginia Beach, Virginia has been jailed for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, thanks to a rather tasteless video she posted on MySpace.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 17)
marilyn bailey said 1:19AM on 12-20-2007
As for comments about reporting abusive or neglectful behavior found on My-Space (some saying invasion of privacy) If some-one is this big of an "idiot", than she obviously needs intervention in parenting! Lucky for that child, that she has such a disfunctual mother, now the child might have a chance for a better future!
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Jamie said 10:18PM on 12-19-2007
to Dan: You're an idiot. No one takes responsibility anymore. We all know her character. Go back to your meth lab.
Another reason not to smoke. Only WEAK people do it. Most can't stop even if they wanted to. It's a disgusting habit. Chewing or dipping are not much better. Simply put, it's a legal drug!
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CLEVE said 3:20PM on 12-20-2007
what a great example of how screwed up the internet can be! NO i am not speakiing of Sandra Venery, i am talking about the idiot author of this blog - and all of you who responded to this inaccurate "news" report.
facts are: the child NEVER smoked. the cigarette was not lit. the only profanity on the video was part of a re-creation of the Will Ferrel "pay the rent, b****" video, which i personally thought was hilarious. Sandra Venery posted the video on her MySpace,and of course now wishes she hadn't. but before all you high and mighty perfect individuals who have never done anythng dumb on your computer or otherwise (you know, that picture of your kid holding an open beer bottle.... that's ILLEGAL you know) make any other comments... how would you like to go to jail for your own son or daughter holding an unlit ciggarette in their mouth??? appropriate?
the judge who bonded her out on her signature alone didn't think so... but of course all you guys know better. next time maybe you guys should find out if what was written was true... cause the REAL asshole here is the author, mr. tim stevens. get it right, tim, or stfu.
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thinksdanisdumb said 2:22PM on 12-20-2007
to dan: it says "encourages her two-year-old daughter to smoke a cigarette". encouraging a child to smoke is a sign of a mentally ill person who doesn't know right or wrong and should not be trusted with kids. the way you are sticking up for this person only says maybe you shouldn't be around kids either.
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thinksdanisdumb said 2:39PM on 12-20-2007
to dan: it says "encourages her two-year-old daughter to smoke a
cigarette". encouraging a child to smoke is a sign of a mentally ill
person who doesn't know right or wrong and should not be trusted with
kids. the way you are sticking up for this person only says maybe you
shouldn't be around kids either.
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Carol said 2:52PM on 12-20-2007
Sometimes, you just have to wonder how someone could be SO stupid.....................
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Thomasina Daniele said 10:24PM on 12-20-2007
I wonder why anyone would find the vision of a two year old child with a deadly cigg, (lit or not) , in her mouthh any form of entertainment. The world seems to be much more leaneynt with things in this category, and as anyone can see, the world doesn't seem to be doing so well. Between the violence in schools, malls, and just about everywhere you look, it's a shame parents aren't sheltering their children from all things harmful and negative rather then encouraging or insuating such habits for there twisted sense of humor.
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lorilynn said 5:20PM on 12-20-2007
Dan-You are as stupid as your "friend". Any person who has a toddler trying to smoke and then has enough time on her hands to put it on Youtube, has way too much time on her hands, when in fact she should be taking care of her child! Does she smoke herself? Yes, I am sure of it. Does she smoke around her child? I would stake my life on it. It's illegal in some states to smoke in the car with a child. Do you know why? Because it is extremely harmful! Believe me, I am not some person who doesn't know what she is talking about. I smoked for more than 25 years, and I am only 37. But I quit cold turkey 18 months ago. Know why? Because I have a child that I would like to be here for rather than have him watch me die the way I did my dad from lung cancer. You can say what you want about it being blown out of porportion, but the fact remains, she did it, she is a moron, and you can say what you want about her being a wonderful mother, and you may be right according to the mothers you may have grown up with or around, but trust me Dan, she is by no means a good mother, and from the looks of her mug shot, she looks like she dabbles in a couple of other things too.
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Isabella said 5:33PM on 12-21-2007
Unfortunately that little girl cant help the fact that she has a major idiot for a mother
I think it would be a good idea if the courts took the child away from her. It certainly would be HEALTHIER for the little girl !!
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Cheryl said 6:21AM on 12-21-2007
Why would a mom do this? Did you think it was 'cute', or 'funny'? Whats in the next episode.. showing her how to make her own mixed drink? Or maybe how to roll a joint? Or better yet, how to prepare your own needle? Not cute.. not funny. SICK!!!
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MaOde3 said 6:21AM on 12-21-2007
I laugh when I read all of the self righteous comments on here. "Her kids should be permanently taken from her".....You sorry bunch of self righteous hypocritical idiots. I bet it makes you lonely retards feel real powerful to get on here and pound away at a woman who made a stupid descision. Get lives......better yet..get hearts.
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Dayna said 6:24AM on 12-21-2007
She's so pretty...
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tongala2 said 6:32AM on 12-21-2007
I personally think that to give a child a cigarette long enough to tape and put it in on my space says a 'lot' about the mother. I have a 4-year-old and would never even think to do such a thing and I smoke. What in the world could justify a parent (mother at that) doing that to a child. To me the child has probably been abused as well or maybe drinking. I do not think it is fair to subject a child to this. After all the child did not ask to come here and the fact that someone actually agreed really should let us know what this world has come to. There is not respect or care, even for the small child anymore. How sad.
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tongala said 6:32AM on 12-21-2007
It is sad.
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stacy said 6:33AM on 12-21-2007
HEY DAN WHY DONT YOU AND THAT SKANKY FILTHY HO BAG LOCK YOURSELVES IN YOUR TRAILOR AND OVERDOSE ON WHATEVER THE DRUG OF THE DAY IS. MERRY CHRISTMAS
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Gabby said 6:55AM on 12-21-2007
Wow, this is just a bad parent. But I'm not sure if all videos can be evidence. Many are edited, but may look real. So, I guess people should be more careful with what they put up.
Terrible story. =[
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tongala2 said 6:40AM on 12-21-2007
To Cleve:
Although the child did not smoke the cigarette does that mean it was appropriate for her to have it and better yet be taped and put on Myspace. Get real. Let's think about this for a minute. If the toddler was 'just holding a gun and bullets' but did not actually smoke, would you be making the same comments.
And, yes, I can think of things that 'I' have done that I would rather regret. But never have I done anything to my children. I mean c'mon how can you justify giving a toddler a cigareet AND A LIGHTER. That is even worse. No matter what the mother was trying to covey, it appeared to be more important than her daughter and for that she should be in trouble.
Even if the judge that just signed for her to get out of child, it hopefully taught her a lesson that she obviously needs -- THINK FIRST, ACT LATER. Maybe this will prevent her for doing anything else so silly.
How can one be mad at the comments someone post on this blog is beyond me. After all, we did not give our child a cigarette and lighter, or make her smoke--Sandy did. You are point your fingers and anger at the wrong people. We all konw the media can distort things. And, we also know that it had to be something there for the authorities to arrest her--and personally, I think they did the right thing in the best interest of the child. Forget Sandy. Obviously, she only thought about her self or getting hilarious laughs as you alluded to in your response.
She should have been concerned about her child and just left her out of it. How can u not see that is beyond thought. Maybe you both need help.
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tongala2 said 6:42AM on 12-21-2007
To Cleve:
Although the child did not smoke the cigarette does that mean it was appropriate for her to have it and better yet be taped and put on Myspace. Get real. Let's think about this for a minute. If the toddler was 'just holding a gun and bullets' but did not actually 'shoot it, would you be making the same comments.
And, yes, I can think of things that 'I' have done that I would rather regret. But never have I done anything to my children. I mean c'mon how can you justify giving a toddler a cigareet AND A LIGHTER. That is even worse. No matter what the mother was trying to covey, it appeared to be more important than her daughter and for that she should be in trouble.
Even if the judge that just signed for her to get out of child, it hopefully taught her a lesson that she obviously needs -- THINK FIRST, ACT LATER. Maybe this will prevent her for doing anything else so silly.
How can one be mad at the comments someone post on this blog is beyond me. After all, we did not give our child a cigarette and lighter, or make her smoke--Sandy did. You are point your fingers and anger at the wrong people. We all konw the media can distort things. And, we also know that it had to be something there for the authorities to arrest her--and personally, I think they did the right thing in the best interest of the child. Forget Sandy. Obviously, she only thought about her self or getting hilarious laughs as you alluded to in your response.
She should have been concerned about her child and just left her out of it. How can u not see that is beyond thought. Maybe you both need help.
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Erma said 6:43AM on 12-21-2007
I don't get it...maybe people should apply for a license to have kids. This one obviously doesn't deserve them!
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Jack said 6:45AM on 12-21-2007
In some states it is now illegal to smoke (tobacco) in the car with your child, why would she think that this would be okay??
Frankly although my kids have occasionally heard an expletive or two when they were in the back seat of the car and I forgot, it is never a good idea for parents to use profanity in speaking to their young children.
She screwed up bigtime and then posted it in a public venue.
Better she should be found out now than found out when her daughter dies of a drug overdose
Hopefully both child and mother will get the help they need.
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