How to Save Big on Holiday Gifts with Black Friday Deals

The holidays are expensive. Between family, friends, coworkers, teachers, the gift list adds up fast. The good news? One weekend — Black Friday (and the days around it) — can knock hundreds, sometimes thousands, off your December spending if you play it right.

Here’s your straightforward, no-fluff plan to save the most money possible this year.

1. Start with a Real List and a Real Budget

• Write down every person you’re buying for.
• Assign a dollar amount you’re willing to spend on each (be honest — $30 for your niece is fine).
• Add everything up. That scary total is what we’re going to crush.

2. Move the Easy Gifts to Black Friday

Certain categories almost always hit their lowest prices of the entire year on Black Friday weekend:

• Electronics: AirPods, tablets, smart speakers, 4K TVs, laptops
• Toys: LEGO, Barbie, board games, Nerf, Hot Wheels
• Kitchen & home: Instant Pot, Air fryers, Dyson vacuums, bedding, towels
• Beauty: Gift sets from Sephora, Ulta, and department stores
• Clothing & shoes: Huge cuts on brands like Nike, Adidas, Levi’s, and winter coats
• Gift cards: Many places (Amazon, Target, restaurants) throw in free bonus cards when you buy $100+

If someone on your list wants something from the categories above, wait for Black Friday. No exceptions.

3. Do 10 Minutes of Homework (It Pays Off)

Before Thanksgiving, spend one evening doing this:

• Make a private Amazon wish list or a Google Doc with the exact items (or types of items) people want.
• Install the free browser extension like Honey — they’ll tell you if the current price is actually good.
• Check CamelCamelCamel.com (Amazon) or Slickdeals.net for the real historical low on big-ticket items.

4. Shop the Right Days

• Monday–Wednesday before Thanksgiving: Early deals start (often just as good as Friday).
• Thanksgiving Day online: Many “Black Friday” prices go live.
• Black Friday itself: Best for doorbusters and electronics.
• Saturday & Sunday: Refill deals + free shipping promos.
• Cyber Monday: Anything you missed (especially online-only stores).

5. Stack Every Discount Possible

Never pay with just one method. Stack like this:

1. Shop through a cash-back portal.
2. Use a Meriwest credit card that gives extra rewards.
3. Apply any coupon codes Honey or RetailMeNot finds.
4. Buy discounted gift cards first.

6. Set Alerts and Walk Away

For anything expensive (TVs, gaming consoles, laptops):

• Use Slickdeals or the Keepa app to set a price alert.
• When it hits your target price, buy immediately. Deals disappear fast.

7. Remember: December Sales Exist (Use Them Wisely)

If you miss something on Black Friday weekend, don’t panic-buy full price. Two weeks before Christmas, stores get desperate and slash prices again, often matching or beating Black Friday on toys, clothing, and leftover electronics.

The Bottom Line

Last year the average American spent over $1,000 on holiday gifts. People who followed a simple Black Friday plan like this one routinely spent $400–$600 instead and still gave gifts everyone loved.

You don’t need to camp outside a store at 4 a.m. You just need a list, a couple of free tools, and the discipline to buy only when the price is actually good. 

Start your list tonight. By the time December rolls around, you’ll have more money left for eggnog… or January bills.

Happy (affordable) holidays!