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The time, 5:45 a.m., nor the temperature, 21° feel like, kept several hundred Black Friday shoppers from trying to snag deals at Walmart and Lowes to kick off the Christmas shopping season.

At Walmart most shoppers in line prior to opening came with specific items in mind to purchase. Tiffany, from Tullahoma, wanted a new phone. Kathy, also from Tullahoma, and Danny, from Shelbyville, were after 65″ TV’s. Jim, from Tullahoma, had a big list including a ShopVac and games. Brandy, from Hillsboro, was after a Pokémon game and an iPhone. Crystal, from Gruetli, wanted a Playstation 5 for her children.

Down North Jackson Street at Lowes, shoppers were not as precise with their wish lists. Landon, from Estill Springs, was not looking for anything specific just deals. Kelly, anything and everything Christmas. The first 50 in line were holding blue tickets, which they were going to redeem inside for a bucket of products valued up to $100.

Carla, from Tullahoma, had the best answer when asked why she was standing in the bitter cold outside at Lowe’s with friends at 5:55 a.m., “Making memories.”