With my stomach full of turkey and potatoes and a wallet filled with money ready to be spent, I set out on the craziest, almost two-day experience, of the year in consumer-America: Black Friday.

I always hear stories on the news the morning after Black Friday about crazy shoppers who go to ridiculous lengths for a Tickle-me-Elmo or a 55-inch flat screen. I have tried my best to avoid the madness in the past, but this year, I decided to challenge myself to brave the madness and participate in this ridiculous phenomenon.

Around 9 p.m. on Thursday night I head out, ready for anything. I decided to start at Target, my favorite place to shop. The parking lot is so crowded that for once the corral of shopping carts is empty.

It’s still pretty early in the night, but the store is jam-packed. The employees walk around with their walkie-talkies on their hips in groups of four, ready for action. Shopping carts with televisions line the aisles so shoppers can make an easy grab-and-go.

I meet up with my friend Katie so can we scour the store together for good deals. I am surprised by the lack of madness Target offers, so I decide to venture elsewhere. I want to experience the “crazy” Black Friday’s you see on the news.

Katie and I meet up with our friend Faith in Macy’s at the Harford Mall. When leaving Macy’s, we pass the long line of eager shoppers outside Victoria’s Secret, plus the two bouncers at the entrance. Apparently, they were only allowing a certain amount of people in at a time to control the craziness.

I was very disappointed. Nothing dramatic or exciting happened, my legs got tired, the mobs of people made me anxious, I ate too much, and I wanted to go home the entire time. Why people would spend all night out in herds of shoppers instead of being with their families perplexes me.

The night wasn’t a total failure. I got myself a sweater and leggings for Christmas at PacSun for only $60 and bought my mom a sweater.

That day I realized something: I hate Black Friday. I didn’t even make it to midnight before I quit and went home. The deals were nothing spectacular, I didn’t see any fights, and the crowds were just too big. Luckily, I was able to make up for this letdown by spending all the money I saved that night on Cyber Monday.

I probably won’t go again. I’d much rather spend my Thanksgiving night lying on the couch, polishing off my plate of pie, drinking coffee, and going to bed early.

Claire Grunewald is a Lifestyles Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com