‘A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist.’ Franklin P. Jones

Who doesn’t love a bargain? We certainly do here at Mrs Bee’s. When you get what you want at a knockdown price, what’s not to love? That’s why, traditionally, you’d find people camping outside their favourite shops in the early hours of Boxing Day, ready for the post-Christmas sale to begin. In recent years, though, the sales have started before Christmas, most notably Black Friday.

What’s this Black Friday malarkey?

Black Friday comes from the States, and is the Friday after Thanksgiving, which occurs on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, Black Friday falls on next Friday, the 24 November.

While Black followed by a day is usually a reminder of a financial crisis, in this case it’s actually a good thing. It supposedly marks the day that retailers finally go ‘into the black’, that is, make a profit for the year, and is attributed to shoppers stuffed full of Thanksgiving turkey hitting the shops to grab a bargain. With the rise of US-based retailers, such as Amazon, in the UK, the idea has spread across the Atlantic. It’s become so much of a new tradition that sales on Black Friday now outstrip those on Boxing Day.

Hang on, isn’t that the day where shoppers go insane and start wrestling over TVs?

Erm, well, yes. But don’t let that put you off. Many online retailers also participate in Black Friday, and bargains can be bagged without leaving the comfort of your pyjamas. Even many bricks and mortar retailers offer the same discounts through their websites now. So no need to sign up for taekwondo classes just yet (unless you want to, of course).

So what’s up for grabs?

We don’t know yet, but a number of retailers have already said that they’re taking part. These include John Lewis, ASOS, Mothercare, eBay, Groupon, Currys PC World, Game, B&Q, the Disney Store, and even Harrods - and, of course - we are at Mrs Bee's Emporium, with our highest ever discount of 25% off (pretty good for handmade, if I do say so myself).

Ok, what do I need to do to bag myself a bargain?

Making the most of Black Friday requires a little forethought and planning. Here are some tips to help you out:

Make a list of the products you actually want to buy, and stick to it. Panic buying could leave you wondering what the hell you were thinking.
Research the products beforehand. On top of checking reviews and expert opinions, also make a note of what the average price is normally so you’re not sucked into a ‘deal’ that isn’t actually a deal.
Set a budget, and stick to it. It’s not a bargain if you find yourself in debt or regretting your purchase.
Sign up to the websites you’re interested in beforehand, and opt in to receive their marketing emails. While we know that such newsletters can often be annoying, in the run up to Black Friday, retailers will be promoting their offers and latest deals, giving you a good heads-up.
Bookmark the web pages of the products you want in advance so you’re not having to search when time is short. If more than one retailer has the same product, create a favourites folder for it, then click ‘open all bookmarks’ for instant comparison.
Fill your basket in advance. Offers will be limited, and it’s quicker to delete an item that you decide you don’t want from that retailer, than add it as you browse.
Stay up late and get in early. Black Friday starts at midnight, and the best deals will be snapped up rapidly by determined shoppers. Get burning that midnight oil!
Keep calm, hold your nerve, stay strong. Don’t panic buy. This will only lead to regret.
Be aware of added costs, such as postage. These can really bump up the cost (and it's why we offer free UK shipping at Mrs Bee's!) Try to check delivery costs beforehand and, wherever possible, find a retailer who offers free postage and packaging.
Check out cashback sites, such as TopCashBack, to see if you can save even more by going through their site. This will require you to click through their site, so you will need to get online earlier to make sure you have time.
Don’t fret if you miss out - there’s always Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday? Should I be scared?

Ok, so Cyber Monday might sound like an invasion of humans turned into robots a la Dr Who but, again, it’s a good thing. Honestly. It’s the Monday after Black Friday, so 27 November this year. While Black Friday dates back to the 1950s, Cyber Monday first came about in the early 2000s, when online shopping was less popular, and online retailers wanted a slice of the sales action. As the name suggests, Cyber Monday deals are all online.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cyber Monday deals tend to be focused on electronics and technology, although there are also discounted flights and other reduced price items available for the canny shopper. Just as with Black Friday, do your preparation and stick to the same rules.

Got all that? Then happy bargain hunting!

Why don't you check in to the Organising Christmas Facebook group and show us what you bagged?

Happy shopping,