Shopping on Black Friday

For those that don't live here in the States, there is a huge and seemingly growing tradition of going shopping basically starting at midnight on Thanksgiving Day.  This is commonly called Black Friday.  It is the official start of the Christmas buying season, so for retailers it is very important.  They try to lure shoppers in with their best discounts.  In years past, shoppers would gather outside the doors waiting for them to be opened so they can sprint in to get the limited supply of great deals.  Incredibly in the past this has actually resulted in injuries and even fatalities from being trampled!
Last year I ventured out to show my kids just the extent of this spectacle.  Every spot in the mall parking lot was filled.  Inside the store every isle was open, but the lines were enormous.  I scored a good deal on a blu-ray player and some other stuff.  I love a good deal as much as the next guy, but this year I decided to stay in.  I guess you have to be in the right frame of mind in order to enjoy Black Friday.  I have already heard news reports of someone pepper spraying twenty others-to improve her chances of getting a discounted Xbox!!  If you had enough courage to brave the crowds, I would like to hear about it.  What did you get?  Was it worth the lines, or is that just part of the fun.  Were the people nuts?  If you didn't go, why not??  For those that live outside the States, do they have a version of Black Friday there???