Early Christmas shopping tips for Black Friday

Black Friday is a great way to make potentially huge savings with lots of deals and discounts available both instore and online during the Black Friday sales.

So why wait for the Boxing Day sales to buy Christmas gifts for your loved ones when you can get the gifts ready for the actual day with Black Friday deals?

Black Friday is a great time to get your Christmas shopping started especially with cost-of-living pressures affecting most of us this year.

Prepare to get your bargain-hunting thumbs out to hit the retail sales, then scroll, tap, and swipe your way through some early holiday shopping. With rising costs of living, it’s all the more important to get your shopping for the holidays done while there are sales and deals.

Here are some ways you can prepare for Christmas gift-giving and make the most of Black Friday sales.

Christmas planning can get a bit overwhelming, there’s the gifts, the food, the house to get organised as well as those all-important flashbulb gift ideas. How can you keep track of it all in one place?

Luckily there’s a range of notetaking and task management apps you can use to keep you on track during the countdown to the big day. You can organise your gift budgets, wish lists, shopping tips, and more on your phone. There are also dedicated Christmas shopping list apps to help you get your present buying more organised. You can set up lists for each person you need to buy for and keep track of the items you’re watching or have bagged and how much you’ve spent.  Some apps also allow you to add products from websites so you can keep track of sales plus you can share the lists with friends to get their opinion on your choices.

Although earlier in the year, Black Friday is still a prime opportunity to do your holiday shopping. Think ahead – who will you be buying for and what would they like as a gift. 

You could start by paying attention to what your friends and family have been saying and experiencing. Keep track of whenever friends and family drop hints. Also consider, what items have your friends and family mentioned needing? Has anyone told you about breaking, losing, or having something wear out? Your Black Friday bargain could be that “How thoughtful!” replacement gift. Is anyone going on holiday? Is anyone going on holiday? Think about gifts they could use on their trip, like a portable modem, wireless charging pad, new earbuds or headphones or those fancy new packing cubes for their luggage.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of Black Friday sales while selecting the ideal gifts for your loved ones:

Plan ahead - Create a budget. Determine how much you're willing to spend on gifts and stick to it.

Be prepared - Know which stores or websites you want to visit and the order in which you'll look for the ideal gifts.

Research deals - Look at Black Friday ads from various retailers to find the best deals on gifts that match your loved ones' tastes.

Start early – Get your gear ready the night before and start out early to beat the crowds.

Dress comfortably - If you plan to shop in stores rather than online, wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Prioritise thoughtful gifts – Sure, there’ll be lots of stuff on sale, but you’ll need to focus on those Christmas gifts so keep your eyes on the prize and consider the person’s hobbies, interests, and preferences before making your purchase.

Take your time - if you're unsure about a gift choice, take some time to think it over before making the purchase (but perhaps first check how long the offer will last on sale)

Stay organised – Despite your best efforts people may still want to return your gift (or may lose that gift voucher) so keep those gift receipts and records just in case.

Track your gift spending: Keep a record of your spending on gifts to ensure you stay within your budget.

There you have it, there’s plenty of reason to get a head start on the Christmas holiday shopping season during the Black Friday sales.

And when your family and friends’ gifts are sorted out, why not get a little (or big) Black Friday Sale treat for yourself? 

Find out more about the origins of Black Friday and tips to get the best Black Friday deals.

Black Friday has now ended. Check out our latest deals.

^{This article was first published on 13 November 2023.}