What is Black Friday?
Black Friday refers to the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving Day in the United States. This Friday is seen as the beginning of the shopping season, and many stores open early and offer sales for the occasion.
Many people choose to take advantage of these sales to do their Christmas and holiday shopping.
How Much Can We Save On Black Friday?
When it comes to how much money you can save during Black Friday, it depends on the store. On average, customers save 37% on their purchases on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, and during the week leading up to Black Friday, 20%.
Of course, this is an average, and every store and each item will have different savings. No matter where you shop, however, you’re pretty much guaranteed you’ll get some type of savings on the purchases you make during Black Friday.
Are Deals Really Better On Black Friday?
Black Friday is a great opportunity to save a little money, especially as you gear up for the gift-giving season. But Black Friday isn’t the only opportunity to snag some good deals.
Cyber Monday is the Monday that follows Black Friday and is a marketing strategy designed to encourage customers to shop online.
While Black Friday is ideal for purchasing big-ticket items, you’ll likely find similar deals and discounts on Cyber Monday.
Other holidays throughout the year, like Boxing Day, will also provide similar deals that will help you save money.
So while Black Friday is an awesome opportunity for your holiday shopping, don’t worry if you miss out on it. You’ll have plenty of other chances to save money while you shop throughout the year!
Tips For A Stress-Free And Healthy Black Friday
Black Friday is a great chance to save money and get products you want and need for far cheaper than you would during the rest of the year. But because Black Friday draws out so many people, and the competition to get products before they sell out can be fierce, many people find this informal holiday draining.
If you want to take advantage of Black Friday deals, but you’re worried about getting overwhelmed by the stress of shopping, here are some tips to help you stay healthy and energized.
1. Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to prepare for anything that you know will be stressful is by planning. If an event is already causing us stress, not knowing what to expect can quickly ramp up those feelings leading up to it.
Plus, once you start your shopping, you’ll be so overwhelmed by everything that it might be hard to focus on the things you know you need.
So, before you even head out, make sure to plan out your day. Decide exactly what you need, and what stores you’ll be visiting to purchase these items. Try to give yourself a schedule too, to help yourself stay on track!
2. Do Your Research
Part of your planning process should involve doing research online about what exactly you’re planning on purchasing.
This way, you’ll know what the best deals are, and you’ll be able to head straight for them instead of browsing amongst the massive crowds that are joining you on Black Friday.
Make sure you give yourself multiple options when you’re researching products, in case the items that you want to purchase are out of stock.
This way, if the item is sold out, you’ll already know what the next best deal is because of the research you’ve done.
3. Bring Hand Sanitizer
Living in a pandemic means making sure that we are keeping ourselves and others safe. If you live in a location that’s going to allow in-person shopping, don’t just rely on the stores to provide you with hand sanitizer. Pack your own, and remember to use it.
Keep in mind that hundreds of other people are going to be touching those products—and you don’t know where they’ve been!
4. Dress For The Occasion
You’re not going to want to head out for a day spent running around in clothing that is too tight or uncomfortable. You want to wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in.
Consider the weather, too. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time indoors in a shopping mall, wear relatively light layers that are easy to take off and not burdensome to carry around. If you’re going to shops that are outdoors, wear warm clothing if you know it’s going to be cold.
5. Stay Hydrated
When you’re on your feet all day and constantly moving around, as you will be on Black Friday, you’re going to need to remember to drink water. Staying hydrated is part of a healthy lifestyle in general, and on days like Black Friday, it’s especially important to remember to drink water.
Pack a water bottle with you, so that your water is always accessible.
6. Make Healthy Eating Choices
Food is what fuels our body and gives us energy, so it’s important to eat wisely. Healthy eating is especially important on days like Black Friday, where you’re going to be expending a lot of energy as you go from store to store.
Eat a healthy, nutrient-packed breakfast, refuel halfway through the day with a well-balanced lunch, and remember to keep up this healthy lifestyle even after your shopping is done with a nutritious dinner when you get home.
7. Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’re probably going to be on your feet a lot during Black Friday, so you won’t want to be running around in high heels or shoes that don’t offer any support. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes so that staying on your feet is bearable, and you don’t end up with any injuries.
8. Don’t Forget To Eat And Drink
During times of high-stress where we are constantly moving around, sometimes it can be hard to remember to eat and drink in the first place. When you’re planning, make sure to schedule some time for eating and drinking.
And then make sure that you do eat and drink!
9. Have A Quick Coping Technique Ready
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when facing the chaos that sometimes comes with Black Friday. Planning ahead and knowing you’ve got a technique[1] that’s going to help you cope – that can help a lot. Take Serelax on a daily basis, even during the weeks leading up to Black Friday. That’s going to help keep you calm and even reduce the anxiety that comes with walking through those busy malls and shopping centers.
Black Friday In The New Normal
As the big day approaches, many people are wondering what exactly it’s going to look like in a post-Covid-19 world.
Even before the pandemic hit, the in-person shopping that defined Black Friday was beginning to die down as online shopping became more and more popular.
Many stores are encouraging online shopping over going in-person this year in an attempt to reduce crowds and prevent the spread of the virus.
Regardless of whether shopping is done online or inside a physical store, it’s still an opportunity to save money on big-ticket items.
Final Advice
Black Friday is a great chance to take advantage of sales and deals and to purchase items you’ve been wanting or needing for a much lower price than you’d have to pay throughout the rest of the year.
However, large crowds and intense competition can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. This is why it’s important to follow the above tips to make sure that your Black Friday isn’t just successful, but that you don’t lose your mind in the process.
