Black Friday Gift Shopping: What's Worth Buying And What Isn't

Black Friday is the fourth Friday in November, the day after US Thanksgiving, and the sale now runs through the weekend to Cyber Monday.

Used well, it's the one weekend where you can get the whole Christmas list done at once. Used badly, it's how you end up with a spiraliser.

The rule is simple: write the list first, then shop. Never the other way round.

Before the weekend starts

• Write the full list of people, with a budget next to each name.
• Note the normal price of anything you're watching, so you can tell a real discount from a sticker.
• Set a total for the weekend and keep a running tally.
• Check what you already bought in the summer and forgot about.
• Put cards on the list too - they're the bit everyone leaves until December.

What's genuinely cheaper in November

• Last year's model of anything with a screen.
• Headphones, kitchen appliances and power tools.
• Toys, especially the big licensed ones.
• Beauty and fragrance gift sets, which are built for this weekend.
• Cards, candles and small gifts bought as a bundle rather than one at a time.

What usually isn't

• Brand new releases, which rarely move before spring.
• Anything with a discount measured against a price nobody paid.
• Big furniture, which has its own sales in January.
• Bundles that add an accessory you'd never buy separately.
• Anything you hadn't heard of until the email arrived.

Getting Christmas done in one weekend

• Do the hardest three people first, while you still have patience.
• Buy the cards and the wrapping in the same order as the gifts.
• Keep one folder of order confirmations so you can track deliveries.
• Write the cards the same weekend the shopping lands.
• Set a reminder to post by the second week of December.

Shop Christmas cards

Pin badges

A small extra that ships with the card as one order.

How to write it so it lands

• Shop from a list, not from an inbox.
• Keep a running total on your phone - it's the only thing that stops overspend.
• Anything you're unsure about, leave in the basket overnight. It'll still be there Monday.

Where to shop next

• Last minute birthday gift ideas
• Birthday gifts by budget
• Anniversary gift ideas for him and her
• Valentine's gift ideas
• Valentine's night in ideas
• Black Friday gift shopping tips
• Cyber Monday shopping guide
• Anniversary card messages
• Valentine's card messages
• Birthday cards
• Anniversary cards
• Christmas cards
• Black Friday deals
• Cyber Monday
• Pin badges
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• Photo booth prop ideas
• Black Friday gifts UK
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Frequently asked questions

When is Black Friday?

The fourth Friday in November, the day after US Thanksgiving, with most UK sales running from the Monday before through to Cyber Monday.

Is Black Friday actually cheaper?

For last-generation electronics, toys and gift sets, usually yes. For new releases and furniture, often not. Check what the item cost in October before you decide.

How do you spot a fake Black Friday discount?

Compare against the price the item held for most of the year, not the 'was' price on the label. A discount that appeared the same week as the sale usually isn't one.

Should you buy Christmas cards on Black Friday?

It's the cheapest point of the year for us and it means the cards are in the house before December, which is when writing them actually happens.