BEAUMONT, Texas — Black Friday shopping only comes around once a year and for many families once you put up the Thanksgiving leftovers and take a power nap it's straight to the mall to shop until you drop.
Many people pride themselves on this annual holiday tradition.
This year however, the stores were not as busy as they have been in years past. But some Southeast Texas shoppers still went out to enjoy the magic of Black Friday shopping.
"It's just kind of fun you get to put your Christmas stuff on and start the season early," said one shopper, Elli Jordan.
Many of the shoppers go out to the malls to find deals that only come around once a year.
"The good sales that's what we're looking for," said another shopper, Amy Leblanc.
Leblanc, along with 30 of her relatives, waiting outside of Academy in Port Arthur so they could get some of the Black Friday deals.
"We've been doing this for about 26 years now. Standing in line, shopping, lots of fun," she said.
Leblanc and her family have plan every year.
"We'll hit all the the stores around Mid County and then Walmart, Target , Academy," Leblanc said.
They arm themselves with caffeine and get ready to shop until they just can't shop anymore.
"If the cars get too full we have to unpack and then go to the next store," Leblanc told 12News.
Jordan and her two kids like to go to Parkdale Mall in Beaumont, and they have a particular store in mind.
"We are coming for the candle sale," she said.
Jordan and Leblanc both agree that while the sales are always great, there seems to be less and less Black Friday shoppers these days.
"Now everything's online and you can get an app," said Jordan.
"The online shopping has definitely impacted the lines. Normally we're here much earlier and we're not number one but we're number one today," said Leblanc.