Most holidays are pretty easy to figure out. Thanksgiving is about eating and being thankful, Christmas is about decorating a tree and stocking up on eggnog, and Labor Day is about avoiding all labor for 24 hours, to name three.
But the more minor holidays don’t come with a well-defined roadmap. You won’t be singing Black Friday carols or baking Cyber Monday cookies this weekend. Instead, the best way to prepare for Black Friday shopping is to brush up on a few essential best practices.
34 percent of the U.S. shopping crowd plans to start their shopping in November. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s Black Friday event, and what you can do to prepare for it.
Explore the Deals Ahead of Time
Don’t wait until the day itself to try sniffing out the deals. You’re not just lining up at a store, you’re lying in wait for a specific item. Here’s this year’s TechCo guide to the best tech you’ll find at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Microsoft, and Target this Black Friday. Check out these mini gadgets, too. And here’s our look at the best TVs around. In fact, why not just check out our entire holiday guide series?
Get Rid of Your Old Tech Properly
“In with the new” means a little bit of “out with the old,” and any tech gadgets that you’re replacing will need to be disposed of properly. You can’t just set an old computer out by the curb without wiping it properly, lest your private info wind up in the wrong hands. The same goes for your old phones, and thanks to the Internet of Things, any other smart devices you might own.
Check this link for a look at how to get rid of an old computer without getting hacked, and check here for the best way to ditch an old phone while making a little money on the side.
Try Out AR Shopping Apps
You might be braving the real world at the crack of dawn looking for deals, but that doesn’t mean a few mobile apps can’t help you tackle the chore. If you’re looking at furniture or fashion deals, try browsing through this list of the top five augmented reality apps you might be able to use to plan out which wall of your living room a couch would work best against, or what shade of blue would go best with your outfit.
…Or Money-Saving Ones
Smart shoppers can find deals no one else has heard of, and that’s easier than ever with this array of mobile shopping platforms and apps that can find you the best in everything from flights to second hand products to wine.
Drones Are a Big Seller This Year
Demand for drones is at 15 percent of adult holiday shoppers polled by CES this year, which represents a big jump from just 9 percent in 2016. Of course, supply is meeting demand, as the volume forecast is up 31 percent across all sizes of drone since last year.
Or Just #OptOutside Instead
Hey, no one’s forcing you to shop. You can also just follow the REI hashtag’s advice and opt to head outside and work off that Thanksgiving turkey. The deals will still be here when you get back.
Read more holiday guides on TechCo
