Black Friday Sales 2011 in NYC: Best Deals from Toys R Us, Target, Best Buy, Plus Small Business Saturday

Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived and already stores and websites are advertising (or having!) their Black Friday shopping sales. Are they worth it? Yes, if you know what you're after. Buy one-get-one-free, gift card giveaways and massive prices reductions are just the start of what you'll find at this year's Black Friday sales.

Retailers are still battling the ongoing recession and are offering all kinds of incentives for shoppers, including deals that start long before this Friday. Don't just do your holiday shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. These sales are the perfect time to stock up on gifts you can give throughout the year (because your kid attends, what, 100 birthday parties a year or so?).

While Black Friday is a decades-old tradition, it's only the second annual Small Business Saturday, when consumers are encouraged to shop at local, independently-owned stores to help spur the economy. American Express is one of the sponsors, and is even offering card holders a one-time $25 statement credit if they shop at one of the designated small businesses. We're particularly excited about this initiative since we just launched our Local Holiday Shopping Guide, which features our favorite locally owned toy stores, places to make presents and other neighborhood spots we love.

Here's how to get the most out of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday in New York City and beyond.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

Even if you're not waiting with the hordes in the wee hours, you can still score great deals. Some retailers run their sales all weekend, so you can find bargains early on Saturday or Sunday instead of having to camp out in the middle of the night.

Try to focus your efforts on major retailers and electronics stores. Although we always want to encourages our readers to shop locally, the fact is that small boutiques are less likely to have blowout sales.

Try to shop alone. You'll have an easier time navigating the crowds and lines. So leave everyone at home—kids, spouse, out-of-town visitors, all of 'em.

While we're including hours when we can, individual stores' schedules may vary, so it's a good idea to check with the retailers you want to hit before heading out. This year Macy's, Target and Best Buy will all open at midnight on Friday and Toys R Us is opening at 9pm! So if you just can't wait, you can work off that turkey dinner battling the hordes later that evening.

There's even a website dedicated to the biggest shopping day of the year, 2011 Black Friday Ads, where you can get updates on store hours and available deals.

Black Friday Deals Worth Checking Out

Amazon's Black Friday Deals Week is already on. Recently spotted or coming soon: a Radio Flyer Cargo Wagon for $112 (regularly $199); PlayStation 3 game Everyday Dance for $30 (regularly $40); up to 20% off Disney Nintendo video game bundles. Why wait for Cyber Monday?

Toys R Us opens at 9pm on the evening of Thanksgiving. The chain will launch fewer pop-up shops than last year. Instead, it will offer deals on more exclusive toys, like Air Swimmers Extreme, a helium-filled, radio-controlled shark that floats through the air, as a way of competing with the deep-discount retailers. You can go on TRU's website to see all of the Black Friday deals in advance.

Macy’s will open at midnight. Expect discounts and rebates galore in all departments, plus buy-one-get-one-free deals on select toys and kids' clothing. You can get a preview of all of the deals on the website.

Target will also open at 12am. Shop in person or look for special prices (an iPod Touch for $189; a Playstation 3 Entertainment System for $249), temporary price cuts and free shipping online. Again, you can take a peek at the bargains on the website, and also sign up for Cyber Monday email deals. In the meantime, like Target's Facebook page so you can enter to win the $25 gift cards that are being given away.

Best Buy will open at (wait for it...) midnight! Sneak peek electronic deals will include a Samsung Laptop for $299, a Blu-ray combo movie pack of X-Men, Green Lantern and Fast Five for $9.99, and a Dynex 24" LCD HDTV for $79.99. The chain's Black Friday ad is also online.

Walmart rolls out deals on toys, home goods and apparel at 10pm on Thanksgiving; discounts on electronics will begin at midnight on Black Friday. Highlights include an LG Blu-ray player for $49, assorted Blu-ray movies for $5 each and an XBox 360 4GB Console for $100. You can preview the ad on the website.

Old Navy is hosting three days of what it's calling GobblePalooza. Doors open at midnight, but the savings run all weekend long. Get kids' jeans for $10 and adults' for $15 a pair; wool-blend pea coats for kids for $19 and $29 for adults. The ad isn't on the website yet but you can see a scan on another site.

The Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst will open at midnight on Black Friday. Until 3am, purchase mall gift cards ($50 minimum) and the $3 fee will be waived. Also look for hourly giveaways and a chance to win a $25,000 via Z100 and KTU 103.5, who will be broadcasting from the sales event. A full list of discounts is online.

The Scoop on Small Business Saturday

The second annual Small Business Saturday is all about Americans supporting the stores in their community. Since we're a small local site, we love this idea! Consumers are encouraged to like the event's Facebook page where you can search for local businesses by entering your zip code. Unlike Black Friday, these small shops aren't necessarily offering any special discounts. However, not only is this a wonderful way to spur the local economy, American Express card holders can earn a $25 statement credit by registering the card online, following a few simple instructions, and then spending $25 at a local business.

For more great holiday info, check out our Holiday Guide and our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide.