There are tons of sales, printed advertising flyers and online coupon codes arriving with the start of the holiday season. Here are some ways to sort through the day after Thanksgiving clutter and get the best retail and online deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
What is Black Friday?
The term “Black Friday” refers to the day after Thanksgiving which, as a traditionally busy start to the Christmas shopping season, often creates sales in the ‘black’ or moneymaking mode for retailers. Shoppers, who often have the day after Thanksgiving off from work, wait in long lines to get early-bird special deals. Cyber Monday refers to the Monday following Thanksgiving, which is considered the busiest shopping day on the internet.
Big Box Retail Sales
With stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot and others, it’s easy enough to find printed circulars in the newspaper on Black Friday. Or simply watch TV- stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s have been advertising their early store hours and Black Friday sales prices for weeks. But the best way to find out about the deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday is to stop by the websites of your favorite retailers; most stores have sections on their main pages dedicated to the holiday sales.
Early Birds
…get the worms on Black Friday. Many stores are open by 4 or 5:00 a.m., and believe it or not, some stores are even opening at midnight on Thanksgiving night to kick off their Black Friday sales!
Online Black Friday Deals
Several websites are dedicated to informing consumers about where to find the best deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Some of the best websites to check are theblackfriday.com and blackfriday.info, but blackfriday.net appears to have the most comprehensive, easy to navigate site; they had the much-anticipated Walmart ad before anyone and have a great listing of all your favorite other retailers’ sales as well. In addition to brick and mortar retailer info, these Black Friday sites also link to the best online buys.
If you are looking specifically for the best online shopping deals, be sure to check out cybermonday.com which offers shopping by tons of categories, great online discounts and the Top Five Hot Deals on the internet.
More Gift Ideas
Click on the following links for creative gifts to give to your favorite teachers or grandparents, or ideas for cheap stocking stuffers…or read more creative holiday celebration ideas.
Happy Shopping and enjoy a very happy holiday season!
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
