HOUSTON -- Thousands of Houstonians were out early to get Black Friday bargains, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Buyers made battle plans and some waited in line for nearly two days to get deeply discounted items, including televisions and laptop computers. Many of them passed the time by playing cards or kicking soccer balls.

"My little boy is going to have a good Christmas," said Jules Rodriguez, who waited for 38 hours. "That's the way I see it."

Shoppers streamed into Best Buy at 5 a.m., but four women got to go in a half hour earlier. They wrote a jingle that won a national contest the store held.

The women were ushered to the store in a limo and won a camcorder and gift cards.

"I feel bad … especially I know the people, I think they're cold," one of the women said.

Those who waited until 5 a.m. to get in also got a special treat. The first 50 people in line received gift cards.

Rodriguez got what he was looking for and estimated he saved about $1,000.

Some people arrived shortly before the store opened and they weren't happy with what they saw.

"I was depressed," one shopper said he felt when he saw the line. "I was a little discouraged, but I decided to stick it out."

Things went smoothly at the Best Buy in the Galleria area, except a few customers got into a scuffle over a laptop.

Shoppers also turned out in droves at malls across Houston. Memorial City Mall's parking lot was 100 percent full during the afternoon.

Many were looking for good deals on gifts, but others had someone else in mind.

"We're out buying for ourselves, not gifts," one shopper said. "Just having a good time."

Some stores lured shoppers in with free gifts with purchases along with deep discounts.

Children told Santa what they want for Christmas while retailers hoped those wishes would turn into their profits.

"I want a (Nintendo) DSS and Wii Ninja," one child told Santa.

After Thanksgiving Weekend Mall Hours

Baybrook Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
Brazos Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deerbrook Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
First Colony Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
The Galleria
Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Greenspoint Mall
Friday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
Katy Mills Mall
Friday: 12 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Memorial City Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Northwest Mall
Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
Pearland Town Center
Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
San Jacinto Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
West Oaks Mall
Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
Willowbrook Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.
Woodlands Mall
Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.