Shop the sales at Brooklyn boutiques

We’re not going to tell you how to shop this weekend. We’re going to tell you how not to shop. For the love of [insert deity here], does anyone  really need to:

1) Shop on Thanksgiving, when some retailers (Old Navy!) are forcing their employees to come to work?
2) Shop at midnight on Thursday, when Target, Best Buy, Kohls and Macy’s are forcing their employees to come to work?
3) Get up at 4 a.m. on Friday to stalk big-box stores for $10 DVDs?

Why not roll out of bed at a reasonable hour and head to the boutique down the block? Some of Brooklyn’s independent retailers are making it even easier this year by having holiday sales.

A number of merchants have jumped on the Small Business Saturday bandwagon, an effort by AmEx to promote local shops. Dumbo in particular is doing a big push around this event, so click here to find out about discounts there.

Here’s what’s happening at some of our other favorite retail shops, and if you’ve got a lead on another sale, please pipe up in the comments:

The Future Perfect in Williamsburg will have a 15 percent discount on all in-stock goods. The very hip home goods store has a number of stocking stuffers that won’t set you back. On their must-have list this holiday season is an all natural room spray from Juniper Ridge ($17), Animal Butt magnets from Brooklyn’s own Stephanie Mantis ($20) and Vintage View-Masters ($22.50). Their Black Friday sale goes on through Sunday.

Babeland in Park Slope also has a Black Friday special for those on your naughty list. They have a buy-one-get-one-free deal on his and
her Orgasms in Box ($18) that including a vibrating toy and lube. Another possible stocking stuffers is their Body Package ($25) with
massage oils, bath products and a vibrating massager.

Sleep in on Friday and then hit up Brooklyn Kitchen for the foodies in your life. Along with a Bloody Mary tasting, the kitchen gadget store has a number of seasonal items on sale. For a $20 gift, they suggest a case of ball jars, canning tongs and pickling spice for your DIY sibling. For the less kitchen savvy on your list, you can grab a $50 gift card for one of their classes.

Instead of Black Friday, Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store will be celebrating Small Business Saturday by giving away Naughty or Nice
holiday pins til supplies last. The gift store mecca has a number of items of stocking stuffers that won’t leave your wallet empty. High on
their top items are Napkin Sketchbooks ($6.95), Candy Cane Pop Rock ($1.25) and Chocolate Coal ($2.50).

Chic retailer Hayden-Harnett is offering sales both online and in the brick-and-mortar shop in Fort Greene; click this link from Brooklyn Exposed to find out more.

Scaredy Kat in Park Slope, known for its wide selection of gift items will have some holiday card box sets on sale for $6.

If you prefer to shop online, Brooklyn Based has a list of Brooklyn stores offering discounts and deals.

Got one to add? Please tell us about it in the comments, and watch out for our annual round up of 25 gifts under $25, all from Brooklyn retailers, starting right after Thanksgiving.