6 ways to shop Black Friday like a Christmas champion

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I don't know how long Black Friday has officially been going on in the UK for but it feels like its power has gone 0 to 100 in a second. It is now a bonafide Christmas THING, like the tiresome Coca Cola truck and ice skating at a museum. Black Friday used to go over my head but I participated heavily last year and now I'm all over it like a rash and a bit obsessed with ensuring I complete all my Christmas shopping by 7am on Friday.

Here are some handy hints so that you too can get your Christmas shopping done and dusted before December even begins. I was gonna say you can get your Christmas shopping wrapped up then, but I'm not a dad so I didn't. 

List it up

Make a detailed list. A spreadsheet, if you want. List ALL the presents you need to buy. Secret Santas, Dads, Mums-in-law, cousins, your milkman, the lot. Write your maximum budget next to each name and think of a few ideas for each. For inspo on this, browse some gift guides - The Pool, Buzzfeed & Refinery 29 are good ones, also search gift guide on Twitter and You Tube. This way, you are prepared. You can even add links for quick shopping, which is especially savvy if the gifts are from a big retailer likely to have big ol' discounts. 

Martin Lewis knows 

Speaking of discounts, be sure to check Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert Black Friday Christmas Deals predictor to further plan your shopping like it's a military operation. The man's not often wrong!

Tell me who you loyal to

Make use of loyalty schemes. If you're planning to buy from somewhere that offers a loyalty scheme you're not part of, sign up now my friend. You might even get the new customer discount some retailers offer as well as the Black Friday discount. Rejoice in those sweet sweet points. 

Don't be scared of Cashback

Cashback sites are your friend. It took me an age to get on this bandwagon, and I could shed a single tear when I think of all the moolah I could have accumulated from my past internet purchases. I use Quidco but I have recently signed up to TopCashback as well, and I plan to switch between whichever offers me the best deal. They are super easy to use so don't be afraid - all you do is search for the retailer on the cashback site, then click through and shop as usual. It logs what you have bought then gives you a percentage back. Win win. 

The early girl catches the deal

Shop early. I would recommend being the earliest bird in work so you can shop in peace. As you can imagine, the best and/or most popular deals will sell out early. Give yourself time to shop around a bit too, as some stores can be sneaky and increase their prices just before Black Friday to look like they are offering bigger discounts. It can be difficult to know exactly when to buy as Cyber Monday looms on the horizon with its promise of bigger discounts if you wait. However, there is of course the possibility that the item could sell out before hand. That, in my opinion is worse than missing out on a slightly bigger discount, so I say buy ASAP - if it's what you want and it's a good deal then you're laughing.

Treat. Yo. Self

My last tip is to TREAT YOSELF like Tom and Donna would want. Black Friday is an ideal time to tick some bits off of your wishlist (keeping a wishlist on Google Docs complete with prices and links is my favourite thing. Very handy to send to loved ones when you're asked what you want for birthdays etc. Mine's here, seeing as you're asking). Stocking up on beauty products you use all the time, or staple items of clothing that are missing from your wardrobe is also clever. Just keep things in perspective y'all. Millions of £10 tops you will wear once is not a saving. 

Now go forth and prep, and conquer Black Friday. You've got two days. GO!