7 Best Gifts To Buy On Black Friday If You're Braving The Crowds This Year
There are two kinds of Black Friday shoppers, all of whom are geniuses, in my opinion. The ones who make lists of marked-down, splurge-worthy items they’ve been eyeing for themselves almost always emerge from the shops with a steal, while those who bank on thrifty purchases to save money on presents for others make loved ones happy and save a decent sum of cash. But this national day of discounts just isn’t what it used to be, and you really have to do your research if you want to nail down the best gifts to buy on Black Friday, otherwise you might end up spending more than you have to.
Black Friday often gets a bad rap, and this year, it’s not because stores are expecting rowdy crowds. Black Friday has expanded into a duration of weeks-long deals, and the Friday after Thanksgiving is just one of many opportunities to save bigger and better. Between early deals stretching from Monday through Wednesday, and Cyber Monday being its own huge thing, shoppers are contemplating whether or not it’s actually worth waking up early and braving brick-and-mortars for underwhelming markdowns.
Listen, I may not be an expert bargain-shopper, but if I’ve learned anything from my thrifty friends, it’s that you have to shop around before committing to a purchase. Price-checking isn’t just research, it’s a skill, and you should never, ever accept a first offer before comparing markdowns across multiple retailers first. That being said, rumor has it that Black Friday 2017 is serving up some awesome steals if you’re looking to save money on gifts. Check out the list below to save time (and cash).
01Shoes
New Balance Women's WW847V2 Walking Shoe, $60, Amazon
Looking to gift (or receive) a new pair of kicks this holiday season? You're in luck! Shoes seem to be a hot commodity for Black Friday shoppers this year, with Amazon lowering New Balance prices up to 60 percent, and Target promising a decent 20 percent off boots.
Brands like Adidas, Nike, and Air Jordan will also be dropping exclusive Black Friday sales, marking down some of their most popular styles in both men's and women's sizes.
02Books
Bookworms rejoice! Book sales on Black Friday are going to be amazing this year, and I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to browse through volumes and bestsellers at low price points. My bank account is doomed, guys.
Not only is Barnes and Noble advertising 50 percent off select titles, it's also offering literature connoisseurs the chance to purchase signed editions by acclaimed authors. Unfortunately, this offer is only available in stores, but personally, I think it's well worth waking up early for.
Additionally, Amazon's promoting up to 80 percent off Kindle bestsellers, while Half Price Books is knocking 20 percent off your entire purchase.
03Beauty
Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette, $54, Urban Decay
Big-name makeup brands don't really do huge sales throughout the year, probably because a lot of people just really love cosmetics and could care less if an eyeshadow palette costs more than their rent when the colors are just so freaking gorgeous. That said, beauty sales on Black Friday are a huge deal (literally and figuratively).
Urban Decay, for example, is taking 25 percent off their price tags and offering free shipping from Nov. 24 through Nov. 26, and K-Beauty hub Soko Glam is granting shoppers 30 percent off. Nordstrom Beauty is also joining in on the fun with a range of discounts on high-end products from Mario Badescu, Oribe, T3, YSL, and more.
04Video Game Consoles
Gamers can also save a ton of cash with must-have consoles seeing a significant drop in price for Black Friday 2017.
For example, Sony subtracted a whopping $100 off PlayStation 4 consoles sold at retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and Kohl's. According to BestBlackFriday, you might even be able to score this bad boy for only $190 at Costco.
Additionally, shoppers can save up to $100 on PlayStation virtual reality bundles via Amazon, and it's been leaked that Kohl's will be selling Xbox One S consoles for $189.99.
05Kitchen Appliances
Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ Blender, $120, Best Buy
For the self-proclaimed foodie, Black Friday is an optimal time to save on the essentials like blenders, coffee makers, mixers, and sets.
With huge discounts on name brands like Ninja, Nutribullet, KitchenAid, VitaMix, and Nespresso, there's never been a better time to start experimenting in the kitchen sans hefty expenses.
06Jewelry
Jewelry sales for Black Friday are generally kept under-wraps until we're closer to Turkey Day, but from what I've gathered, purchasing bling for your girls (or yourself) shouldn't break the bank.
Making a pit stop at Jared? The Galleria of Jewelry is offering $100 off Le Vian accessories, in addition to low prices on vault specials. Kay Jewelers is also hinting at mark-downs on everything from rings to bracelets and watches.
07Headphones
Maybe you know a gamer who tends to turn up the volume a little too loudly when playing Zelda, or a runner who needs better earbuds for her daily route. This year, Black Friday is coming in clutch with headphones for anyone looking for some enhanced surround sound.
Bose announced huge discounts ranging from 50 percent off to $50 dollars off popular models, and you can shop the best of them on Amazon. Skull Candy headphones are also seeing a price cut at Kohl's, and markdowns on Beats are expected on Best Buy shelves this year, as well.
