Black Friday

Do you love shopping? Well, black friday is just around the corner. And if the whole thing still feels a little confusing, you’re not alone. A lot of people hear all the hype but aren’t totally sure how it all works. That’s why we’re breaking it down in the simplest way possible. Here, we walk through every part step-by-step so you can finally see the full picture. Let's get going!

Key Takeaways:

• Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving and kicks off the holiday shopping season.
• It remains the biggest sale day for most stores, though it can differ depending on the retailer.
• Black friday deals draw huge crowds both in stores and online, often lasting through the weekend.
• Black friday sales now have gone global, with online shopping and friday deals expanding the excitement beyond the U.S.

What Is Black Friday?

Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it feels like jumping straight from one celebration to the next. It kicks off the Christmas shopping season, and stores open early, sometimes really early, to offer heavily promoted deals and draw huge crowds. Many sales continue through the weekend, leading into Cyber Monday or even a full week of discounts.

People eagerly await black friday sales every year, and the excitement only grows. While the day originally began in the U.S., it has now gone global, with retailers around the world offering black friday deals to kick off their holiday shopping season. Online shopping has only added to the hype.

Interesting Facts About Black Friday

Photo by Anna Dziubinska from Unsplash

Black Friday is more than just black friday deals and long lines. It’s full of quirky surprises and unexpected trends. Here are some fascinating facts that make this day stand out:

• Plumbers jokingly call the day after Thanksgiving “Brown Friday” because of a spike in clog-related calls.
• Black Friday sees more car accidents than other days in November.
• Some shoppers admit they hit the stores while a little tipsy on friday deals day.
• Cards Against Humanity once earned money by selling nothing on Black Friday.
• More people visit major stores on black friday than visit Disneyland in an entire year!

When Is Black Friday?

We know, it can get a little tricky. Black Friday isn’t on the same date every year! It’s always the day after the fourth Thursday in November, aka the Friday after Thanksgiving. Since that date moves around, we made a handy table below so you can see exactly when Black Friday 2025 (and beyond) is coming up. Check it out!

Future Black Friday Dates

Brief History

You may hear the name and wonder, why black friday is called black friday. Well, the term has a rich history. It first appeared during the 1869 U.S. gold market crash, known as the Panic of 1869, when fortunes were made and lost in a single day. 

In the 1930s, stores pushed for a longer holiday shopping season. President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday in November, giving retailers more days for holiday sales. Later, in the 1950s, police in cities like Philadelphia and Rochester used black friday to describe the crowded streets and traffic congestion after Thanksgiving. Workers also called in sick to enjoy a long weekend, which helped the term gain recognition.

By the 1980s, black friday had taken on a new meaning: it marked the point when stores finally moved from losses into profit for the year, a concept drawn from old accounting practices where red ink meant loss and black ink meant gain.

Over time, black friday sales spread internationally. Retailers outside the U.S. adopted the phrase to compete with American stores. In recent years, friday deals and black friday deals have also become a major online event. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift in 2020, with fewer shoppers in stores and record-breaking online sales. Global retailers now use the day to highlight promotions and start their holiday shopping season early.

Whether you’re hunting for a black friday sale or exploring black friday 2025 offers, the day has evolved from a local traffic headache into a worldwide shopping phenomenon. And if you’re wondering, is black friday a bank holiday, the answer is no. But it remains the busiest shopping day of the year.

How To Celebrate Black Friday?

Black Friday 2025 is almost here, and people have all sorts of ways to enjoy it! Some are all about the black friday deals, while others prefer to avoid the chaos entirely.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

The best part? You get to choose what works for you. Here are some fun ways to celebrate:

1. Go Shop for Deals

If scoring bargains is your thing, hit the stores or scroll through online black friday sale pages. Make a list of what you need, compare prices, and grab the best friday deals out there. Staying organized helps you snag what you want without going overboard!

2. Plan Your Buy List

Want to shop smart? Make a list before the big day. Check out each store, compare prices, and pick what gives the most value. It’s a simple, stress-free way to stay in control while hunting for black friday deals.

3. Join Buy Nothing Day

Not in the mood to shop? Hey, that’s cool too! Skip the stores, relax, and enjoy some time outside. Take a walk, hang out with a friend, or just chill. This is a perfect way to enjoy black friday without the shopping frenzy.

4. Take Part in a Protest

Some people use this day to speak up about overconsumption. If you feel the same, you can join a peaceful protest and share your voice. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate black friday 2025 while standing for something important.

5. Join a Coat Exchange

Community events are another awesome option! Swap a coat you don’t wear for one someone else needs. It’s free, fun, and helps others in your local area. Plus, it’s a great way to feel connected while skipping the shopping madness.

Conclusion

Remember, no matter how you spend it, black friday can be exactly what you make of it. Some dive into black friday deals, others step back and enjoy a calmer day. The choice is yours, let your needs guide you, and have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which day is cheaper, Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

It really depends on the store and the product. Some deals are strong on both days, and many retailers keep black friday deals going through the weekend. The best strategy? Compare prices on both days to snag the best value. That said, black friday is usually the cheaper option.

2. What is the biggest sale day of the year?

The “biggest” day can vary by store, but most people still see black friday as the top sale day. It drives huge volumes of black friday sales both in stores and online.

3. When exactly is Black Friday?

Black friday happens the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday, kicking off the holiday shopping season.

4. Why is Black Friday being boycotted?

Some groups avoid black friday for various reasons. Protests may focus on economic inequality, past political issues, or overconsumption. Many people also observe Buy Nothing Day as a way to step back from shopping pressure.

5. Is Black Friday a bank holiday?

It’s easy to get confused, but black friday is not an official bank holiday in the United States or the United Kingdom. Some workplaces may give employees the day off, but it doesn’t have formal holiday status.