Things have certainly changed from the good ol’ days of Black Friday shopping. No more circling items in a catalog, bundling up and camping outside of a big-box store before sunrise in hopes of scoring the year’s hottest items. I’m not complaining; I’ll happily click on coupons from the comfort of my couch rather than stand around shivering in the cold. Even in the past few years, retailers’ sales strategies have shifted. Black Friday is no longer limited to the day after Thanksgiving — as we speak, the entire month is referred to as “Black November,” meaning the time to shop is, well, now.

The best Black Friday deals

Many (if not most) online retailers have already dropped early Black Friday deals, so if you’d like to spend Thanksgiving weekend enjoying leftovers, seeing movies and being with family, you’ll be able to get a head start on gift shopping, stocking up on essentials and checking items off your personal wishlist (for less).

Of course, you’ve probably got a lot of meal prep to do, so to save you some time, my fellow deal hunters and I have been scouring the web and comparing prices to bring you the very best Black Friday deals out there. We’ve got years of discount-digging experience under our belts, so if we say a markdown is worth your time (and money), you can trust that it is. Ready to fill up that cart? Let’s check out some early-bird bargains.

Best Black Friday deals: Rare deals

Best Black Friday deals: Gifts

Best Black Friday deals: Style

Best Black Friday deals: Seasonal finds

Best Black Friday deals: Home

Best Black Friday deals: Tech

Best Black Friday deals: Beauty

Best Black Friday deals: Travel

Best Black Friday deals: Kitchen

The best sales to shop before Black Friday

Many retailers are offering early discounts to help you get ahead of the Black Friday rush:

• Amazon: The online mega-retailer is packed with savings of up to 75% on everything from home goods and electronics to clothing and beauty finds.

• Best Buy: Take hundreds off of laptops, TVs, home appliances and more.

• Brooklinen: Score bedding, bath linens and more for up to 75% off.

• Cozy Earth: Get up to 55% off Oprah-approved bedding, loungewear and more.

• DSW: Save up to 45% on Ugg, plus up to 30% on almost everything.

• Everlane: Snag up to 50% off sitewide.

• Gap: Limited-time deals on holiday and cold-weather essentials save you up to 60%.

• J.Crew: Save an additional 50% on sale styles with code EXTRA.

• Jones Road: Everything from the Bobbi Brown-founded beauty brand is up to 25% off.

• Kate Spade Outlet: Take up to 70% off just about everything, plus an extra 25% off select styles.

• Kohl’s: Get up to 70% off clearance bedding, clothing, shoes and more.

• Loft: Take 44% off your entire purchase.

• Macy’s: Shop more than 500 early Black Friday deals and save up to 80%.

• Nordstrom: Score new markdowns for up to 60% off.

• Old Navy: Save up to 50% on everything from sweaters to denim.

• Our Place: The cookware brand beloved by Oprah and Selena Gomez has sitewide savings of up to 35% during its biggest sale of the year.

• REI: Get up to 83% off during the Holiday Sale.

• Skechers: Save up to 30% on your order with membership.

• Spanx: Score up to 30% off sitewide.

• Sur La Table: Save up to 70% on brands like Staub, Le Creuset and more.

• Target: Get up to 75% off Vera Bradley accessories, 50% off holiday decor and more.

• The Home Depot: Save up to 50% on appliances, tools and more with Black Friday deals.

• Ulta: The Early Black Friday event has brands like Tarte and MAC for up to 50% off.

• Walmart: Shop rollbacks and flash deals of up to 90% off.

• Wayfair: Stock up on furniture, decor and more for up to 80% off during the Black Friday event.

Black Friday return policies at major retailers

It happens: You purchase a gift for someone, and it turns out the recipient already has one. Or maybe you were given a sweater, and it’s just a tad too large. Whatever the case may be, many major retailers are offering extended holiday return windows, so you’ll be able to remedy the situation without issue.

Amazon

According to Amazon’s Help & Customer Service page, “Most items purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2025, can be returned through January 31, 2026. Apple-branded products purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2025, can be returned through January 15, 2026.”

Macy’s

Macy’s Help Center states, “For the holiday season, Macy’s is extending our return acceptance timeframe. Effective on purchases starting October 6, 2025, to December 31, 2025, most merchandise purchased at Macy’s or macys.com will be accepted for an extended return period until January 31, 2026.”

Target

Over at Target, shoppers have an extended window to return purchases made between November 1 and December 24, 2025, with that period beginning on December 26, 2025. The retailer says, “Target offers free returns on most new, unopened items within 90 days of purchase. This year, we’re extending our holiday return window for electronics and entertainment items — including Apple and Beats products and mobile phones — as well as most Target Plus items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2025.”

Target goes on to explain, “Electronics and entertainment items (excluding Apple and Beats)” can be returned until January 24, 2026.” For “Apple and Beats products and mobile phones (unlocked or pre-paid),” you’ll need to return by January 9, 2026. Finally, “Most Target Plus items (excluding seasonal holiday décor) will have 30 days from December 26 to make a return — items must be returned by January 24, 2026.”

Walmart

Many items bought in Walmart stores and online can be returned within 90 days of purchase, but the retailer is offering a holiday extension. “Most items purchased in-store or online from October 1 through December 31 are returnable until January 31,” says the brand’s return policy page. “Marketplace seller participation varies.”