Don’t Wait Until After Thanksgiving! Get These Black Friday Shopping Deals Experts Swear Save You the Most Right Now

Black Friday on November 28 marks the official start of the Christmas gift-buying season, and retailers are kicking it off with blockbuster in-store deals. And, just for you, our shopping pros share simple strategies that will stretch your holiday budget even further!

Scout sales early

It’s best not to wait until after Thanksgiving dinner to make a game plan. Grab your gift list and start browsing Black Friday ads now, urges Julie Ramhold, a consumer shopping expert at DealNews.

“This gives you a general idea of what stores are charging for items you’re interested in,” she says. Getting a head start saves you both time hopping between stores and money, since you can snap up the best offers before they’re gone. To preview sales, check BlackFriday, DealNews or your favorite stores’ websites and social media pages. Or let the discounts come to you, recommends Ramhold, by signing up for retailers’ email newsletters.

Top Black Friday shopping deals: the hottest sales in every category

Some gifts hit their lowest prices of the year the day after Thanksgiving. If these items are on your list, it’s the perfect time to pounce:

Electronics

Tablets and laptops are among the biggest steals, says Ramhold. “But other electronic categories like speakers, headphones and computer peripherals will also see good savings.” Expect markdowns of 25 percent to as much as 50 percent. Last year, for example, Best Buy shaved nearly 48 percent off a Lenovo IdeaPad laptop, and Target cut Sony noise-cancelling wireless headphones by 43 percent.

Apple products

“In 2024, there was only one day when Apple products were on sale across the board: Black Friday,” says professional bargain-hunter Kyle James, of Rather-Be-Shopping. Look for discounts on laptops and older-generation iPhones—though the newest model will be excluded.

“Just be sure not to shop at the Apple Store,” he adds. “Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy usually have better deals.” Last year, for instance, Best Buy offered 25 percent off a MacBook Air.

‘Extra’ televisions

Doorbuster deals on lower-tier TVs are a Black Friday staple—ideal if you need an affordable set for a guest room or your kids’ dorm. “Last year saw some pretty crazy offers, like 42-inch HDTVs in the $80 range,” says James. One caveat: “But be prepared to settle for brands you’ve never heard of in most cases.”

Cooking tools

“Department stores and retailers like Best Buy will have super-low prices on small kitchen appliances like toasters, blenders and more,” shares Ramhold. Indeed, in 2024, JCPenney took a whopping 64 percent off a Cooks Toaster Oven with Air Fryer. “

Even items like KitchenAid stand mixers will see deep discounts,” she says, adding, “These sales are likely the best of the season, so waiting could mean you miss out.”

Clearance fall apparel

“Retailers start slashing fall clothing lines every Black Friday,” says James. “We’re talking 65 percent to 75 percent off at stores like Old Navy, American Eagle, Kohl’s and Macy’s.” James uses this annual sale to outfit his three children for the following year. “My wife and I buy a size or two up and store it for next autumn.”

How to use AI to find the lowest prices on Black Friday

One in three shoppers plans to use AI to help with holiday buying, according to a new survey by the consumer research firms UserTesting and Talker Research. Want to give it a try? Each digital helper has its own specialty—so you’ll save the most by picking the right one for the job:

Compare prices

Even when you spot an unbelievable deal in a store, there could still be a better one at another retailer. To sleuth out the best savings, just open the Google search app on your smartphone, and tap the Lens icon (a small camera in the search bar) to snap a photo of the item.

Then type, “Do a price comparison.” Google’s AI agent, Gemini, taps into Google Shopping’s powerful search engine to check the competition and let you know if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Hunt for backups

Didn’t find the discount you hoped for on a particular gift, or discovered stores sold out before you could get it? Let AI brainstorm a second-best choice, Ramhold recommends. Log onto ChatGPT or Copilot.Microsoft and ask, “What are great alternatives to [product name]?” These tools scan reviews and features to uncover smart swaps that’ll fit your budget.

Verify Amazon deals

Some Amazon sellers may inflate prices, then drop them on November 28 to make it look like you’re saving more than you really are. Luckily, you can spot the real bargains with Amazon’s AI assistant, Rufus, says James.

To use it, open a product page in the Amazon Shopping app and tap the orange-and-blue bubble icon at the bottom. Then type, “Show me the price history.” Rufus will display how much the item sold for over the past 30 and 90 days,  so you’ll know whether it’s truly a steal, says James.

How to get free gifts and bonus gift cards on Black Friday

Many stores add valuable extras when you buy certain items on Black Friday, says James. These might include additional products—like the beauty freebies Macy’s offered with Clinique and Lancôme purchases last year—or bonus gift cards stacked on top of price cuts. “Best Buy and Walmart usually pair gift cards with Apple purchases,” James shares.

Last year, Target handed out a $25 gift card with the purchase of a GoPro camera that was already $60 off. You can find these gift-with-purchase promotions in a store’s circular or on their website. Use the bonus as another gift, or keep it as a little holiday treat for yourself!

Unlock exclusive offers

Consider joining loyalty programs for stores where you plan to shop, recommends Ramhold. “These programs may offer extra savings to members, early access to sales or other perks,” she says.

One example: In the lead-up to Thanksgiving last year, Macy’s Star Reward members earned $10 in Star Money for every $50 gift card they purchased to use on Black Friday—that’s like getting 20% more to spend!

There’s more: Many stores also email loyalty members who made purchases on Black Friday special coupon codes the next day, so be sure to check your inbox on Saturday.

This story originally appeared in the December 1, 2025, issue of Woman’s World magazine.