The 7 Best Things to Get on Black Friday This Year

Black Friday has become a seasonal sensation in North America (and beyond). In fact, consumers spent a whopping $188.2 billion on Black Friday in 2020 alone.

So why is this shopping holiday called Black Friday? In the 1980s businesses would often get “out of the red”, or out of a monetary deficit, and “into the black” on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The reason? Many families felt it was improper to begin Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. Plus, many companies offered Monday as a holiday, so people were able to travel and dedicate the entire day to checking items off their wishlist.

Today, consumers no longer need to physically visit a store to participate in Black Friday shopping or benefit from the one-day-only deals brands offer. Instead, they can simply shop online— and they do!

How much, you might be wondering? Shoppers spent an astronomical $6.3 million per minute online during Black Friday in 2020.

If you’re hoping to get some mega-deals on Black Friday this year, there are some steps you can take to make the most of your shopping experience. In this post, we’ll be sharing our top tips and a list of the best things to get on Black Friday. Keep scrolling for all the details!

It’s always better to have specific deals in mind when shopping on Black Friday. Not only does it save you time by cutting down on time spent scouring each store in the mall, but it saves you money on spur-of-the-moment splurges.

Below are a few places where you can find great deals:

• Promotional emails
• Mail flyers
• Social media
• Flyer apps
• Brand websites

Write down a list of every deal you’re interested in, when the deal expires, and the SKU number of the item. This way, you’ll have all the information you need should you not be able to find the product in-store and need to ask a customer service representative for assistance.

There are a wide range of mobile phone apps you can use to save money on Black Friday purchases. Platforms like Honey, GroupOn, and Ibotta all allow users to save extra while shopping from popular major retailers. It’s a no-brainer!

Without reviewing a company’s price matching policy, you could end up paying more for an item you could have gotten at a lower price elsewhere. Most retailers will reduce the cost of a particular product to match a competitor’s price if you bring it to their attention. Double-check the policies offered by your favorite brands and then do a price comparison. Those savings add up fast!

Chances are you’re walking into this holiday season with one burning question on your mind: “What should I buy for Black Friday?” We get it — it isn’t always easy to know which Black Friday deals are worth it. We recommend buying the following items if you want to maximize your savings and make your loved ones smile on Christmas morning:

Many retailers offer 20-40 percent off the cost of laptops during Black Friday events, making them a worthwhile investment. Many laptops in the $800-$1000 range can be bought near the $500 mark. And since laptops are used by just about everyone on your holiday list, you can’t really go wrong by gifting one.

Just be sure to research the types of features and performance capabilities you’ll need. An avid online gamer will require a different type of laptop than someone who intends to use it for personal finances, for instance. The more you know about the needs of the individual you’re buying for, the more capable a customer service representative will be of finding you a perfect fit.

Gaming consoles are another foolproof choice on any list of things to buy during Black Friday. It’s not uncommon to see discounts on gaming systems run as high as 50 percent during Black Friday sales, so you’re bound to save a significant amount as opposed to buying any other time of year.

A helpful hint? Start scoping out video game consoles early. The gaming community is massive and enthusiasts will be actively seeking out savings. If you want to get the best deal, you’re going to have to move quickly.

Is there a passionate coffee aficionado in your life? If so, their coffee consumption could inspire your Black Friday purchases this year! Coffee makers are one of the most popularly discounted items during this time of year and they make incredible holiday gifts for friends and family members. Whether it’s a drip coffee maker, an espresso machine, or a pour over brewer— there’s no doubt you’ll be able to get a bigger bang for your buck during Black Friday.

No one enjoys having to dedicate their precious time to chores like washing dishes, doing laundry, or vacuuming their floors. Fortunately, you can take one of these items off a to-do list permanently by buying your loved one a robotic vacuum for Christmas. These autonomous cleaning devices are often on sale during Black Friday events, so you can snag one at a steal of a deal. Plus, they’ll save your loved one time and energy— and there’s no better gift than that.

In fact, who says you need to buy one as a Christmas present? You can also buy one for yourself— just because!

Treadmills, ellipticals, weight benches, and stationary exercise bikes are just a few examples of exercise machines you can buy at a fraction of the usual price during Black Friday, making it a great opportunity to add gear to your home gym while staying on budget. You can also find amazing deals on other kinds of workout accessories, like fitness balls, ankle and wrist weights, or yoga mats (all of which make great Christmas presents). Why not grab a few items for the health and wellness buff on your holiday list?

In 2020, 40 percent of in-store shoppers and 30 percent of online shoppers bought jewelry on Black Friday, proving it’s one of the most in-demand retail categories at this time of year. Retailers want to capitalize on that demand, so they offer significant discounts to lure shoppers away from their competitors— which equals big savings for you!

Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, and more can all be bought at red hot prices, so be sure to do your research and find the best possible bargain.

Last but not least, shoppers are looking for family entertainment ideas as the holiday season approaches. Board games are a popular option and retailers know in order to sell large quantities, they need to offer a good price. You can find children’s games, role playing games, combat games, and more all at low, low prices.

Plus, board games aren’t just fun— they teach youngsters about teamwork, improve their communication skills, and increase cognitive functioning. Always a great choice for kids, teens, and the young at heart!

While Black Friday can certainly save you some serious cash, it can also put you at risk. Scammers, thieves, and slippery sales people all see Black Friday as a day of opportunity. In order to protect yourself and make the most of your day, we encourage following the Black Friday safe sale best practices below:

Unfortunately, many internet criminals create websites that look and feel like legitimate websites, but actually aren’t. These websites are designed to gather your payment information so it can be fraudulently used at a later time. You can tell whether or not a website is credible by checking for an SSL certificate and by reading online reviews prior to making a purchase. Remember, if it seems too good to be true it probably is!

Early morning is the best time to go Black Friday shopping. The crowds are smaller, there’s more inventory in stock, and it’s when you have the most energy, so you’ll tick more items off your list than if you go later in the day. Oh, and if you’re doing your Black Friday shopping in person, did we mention it’s easier to find a parking space? No more walking the entire length of the parking lot with your arms full of Christmas presents!

Few Black Friday hacks are more important than this one. If you’re doing your shopping in person, always store shopping bags in the trunk of your car or cover them with coats or blankets if you absolutely must keep them in the back seat. If you’re doing your shopping online, make sure to be home when packages arrive. Thieves will almost certainly opt for items in plain sight because they can grab them quickly and disappear before anyone has noticed something’s amiss.

Did you know you can use Google Alerts to be notified of all the best things to get on Black Friday? Set up takes just a couple of minutes. Here’s how to get started:

Go to the Google Alerts website. Type a term you want to be alerted for in the search bar. (I.e. “Sales on Coffee Makers”) Enter your email address. Press the “Create Alert” button. Voila! Now all the latest sales will be delivered directly to your inbox.

At Arkadium, we offer an expansive collection of free games you can play online at any time. All you need is a web browser and an internet connection! Find your favorite game and start playing today!