Is it just me, or does anyone else feel a little panicked at how quickly the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas disappears? My holiday to-do list seems longer than Santa’s beard.
I need to get a tree, decorate the house, bake a mountain of cookies, and plan menus for our holiday meals. Shopping is on the list too, and with so many great weekend sales, it’s the perfect time to get started. With less time and a first big snowstorm keeping us close to home, I’ve found it helpful to do a lot of shopping online.
I’ll still visit my neighborhood bookstore for Small Business Saturday and a local boutique for a few sweaters (can’t spoil the surprise), but on Friday I’ll also take advantage of Amazon’s Black Friday deals. Staying cozy at home while scoring good bargains sounds ideal.
To get ahead, I’m already watching several items — whether they’re exceptional deals or clever gift ideas for the crafter, chef, or the super-mom in your life. Note: prices change quickly during sales, so if you see something you like at a good price, grab it.
The Best Black Friday Deals (So Far)
Here are a few items already on sale for Black Friday. I’ll share more finds on my Facebook page throughout the day Friday, so check back for additional inspiration.
- A versatile knitting organizer: a great tote for many kinds of crafting and a perfect gift for the knitters in your life. Practical and stylish at a reasonable price.
- Cutting mats in multiple sizes: quilters can never have too many. These mats look thick, sturdy, and flexible—ideal for holiday crafting or as gifts for quilters.
- Mini-skeins of yarn: colorful little skeins are perfect for small projects or stocking stuffers, and great for teaching grandkids to knit or crochet. They’re also ideal for making small stuffed animals and other cute projects.
- Wool pressing mats: essential for quilters, a wool pressing mat improves seams and quilt tops when added to your ironing board. It’s a modest investment that makes a big difference—one of those gifts you might want to label with your own name.
- Watercolor brush pens: perfect for beginners and kids. They’re cleaner and easier to use than traditional watercolors, great for card-making and family art projects. This set includes many colors plus an extra brush pen—excellent value while on sale.
- A smart Instant Pot that connects to Alexa: a wifi-enabled Instant Pot is a timesaver on busy days when dinner needs to happen fast. It can save money by preventing last-minute takeout orders, and the smart features make it convenient.
- Colorful measuring cups and spoons: bright, affordable, and ideal as stocking stuffers—practical and cheerful additions to any kitchen.
- Rotisserie convection toaster oven from Cuisinart: a fantastic sale on a high-end toaster oven. If it’s the right price for you, it’s one of those purchases where you might say, “I saved more than I spent!”
- New Cuisinart food processor: after my old thrift-store model finally gave out, I ordered a new one. It’s my gift to myself this year, and would be great for any cook on your list.
- Robotic vacuums: many Black Friday offers focus on robot vacuums. I bought one for my mom and she loves how it cleans while she relaxes. Several models are discounted and some include smart features like Alexa compatibility.
That’s the roundup for now. I’ll keep sharing great finds on Black Friday via my Facebook feed, so check back for updates. And if you spot any bargains I missed, send me an email—we’re all in this together as we tackle holiday shopping and preparations.