Black Friday sales, yes or no?

Happy Friday everyone!

I hope you are not too cold, and if you are, I hope you are wearing the warmest and cosiest jumper and enjoying a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate, because it is freezing out there! ❄️

It is Black Friday today and the stores are going to be full to the brim with people of all ages trying to find that perfect present for a loved one or hoping to grab a bargain.

I will be avoiding the city centre (or at least the shops) at all costs, mainly because being surrounded by so many people is not my idea of fun. To be honest, it stresses me out a bit.

What about you? Are you a fan of Black Friday or do you prefer to avoid it? 🤔

Lily I am not a fan of crowded town centres either and have never understood the reason around BLACK FRIDAY anyway, until now when everything is being sold cheaper, even at half-price for a week.
So this year I have visited one of the big advertised stores BOOTS (feel free to delete this Lily/Nick due to advertising). Earlier this week when the advertising began I went online to see if there was anything that grabbed me at this store and was pleasantly surprised at just how much goodies was on offer at this one store. However, although I wanted to go into town to physically buy a specific item I wanted in order to show my local town shops some respect, the store website was actually listing items as ONLINE ONLY and with most of the items I looked at being offered at HALF-PRICE, some were already on the verge of being sold out already. This made a mockery of attempts to attract people into the physical store in town.

That sealed it then. I ended up buying all my family Christmas presents via the website that day (Monday 17th) with all at HALF-PRICE and DOUBLE POINTS in the BLACK FRIDAY SALE making a massive saving on my pocket, with all items being delivered today (Saturday 22nd).

So the question that still clouds my understanding of the BLACK FRIDAY SALES is, if BLACK FRIDAY officially starts this year on 21 November, why is everything available to purchase at least online 5+ days before?
Can anyone answer this please?

BrianGotts Boots definitely has some brilliant deals during Black Friday! And can I just say... I’m a bit jealous you’re already done with your Christmas shopping. I still have a few presents left to sort, and I’m trying not to panic-buy socks for everyone. 😄

I was actually talking to my husband about Black Friday the other day. Remember when it used to be just one Friday? Now it feels like it takes over the whole of November! I think there are a few reasons for that: back in the day, websites and stores would crash under the sheer number of people rushing for bargains, which caused a pretty stressful experience for everyone.

And of course, there’s the marketing and sales side of things. You might be able to resist the temptation for a single day… but a whole month of deals popping up online and in real life? Even the strongest budgeter would crumble eventually.

I picked up a few bargains myself this year, but I have to admit. I’m a little relieved it’s all over. Way too tempting!