My Black Friday Shopping List
A little boring, but not in a bad way.
My Black Friday habits changed drastically once I started shopping like a collector instead of a buyer. I used to spend hours scrolling through the sale sections of various websites, considering clothes I’d never seen before but suddenly felt compelled to own because they were ON SALE!! Buying into the thrill of discounts often led to impulsive purchases of things I didn’t need, let alone really love. These days, my approach is more premeditated — and more intentional as a result. I now see Black Friday as an opportunity to:
Stock up on things I already buy and use regularly (sometimes in bulk), or
Purchase items I’ve been considering for a long time, deliberately waiting until sale season to see if I can get them at a discount.
The key to sticking with this strategy is making a list. I draft it well ahead of Thanksgiving, so when the time comes, I know exactly what sales to scout for and can shop surgically. I’ve been making these lists for five years now, and looking back at them is surprisingly satisfying. They’re like little snapshots of what I wanted or needed at a particular moment in time — and often serve as inspiration for the lists I make on subsequent years. Today, I’m sharing an annotated version of each of them.
I included links when it felt logical, but this isn’t a “shopping post” in the traditional sense, which is why there aren’t any accompanying collages or imagery. My intent isn’t to inspire you to buy anything; rather, it’s to illustrate how my approach to shopping manifests during the height of sale season. If you’re curious how I strategize about spending my money whether it’s on a cocktail dress or a cleaning product, you’re in the right place. Scroll on for the lists!
2024: My Toddler Mom Era
I shop much more regularly for my toddler than I do for myself these days, which is why this year’s list real estate is mostly taken up by stuff for him…
Misha & Puff “popcorn sweater” in the next size up. We received one as a baby gift last year and he’s almost grown out of it. It’s one of my favorite pieces in his wardrobe, but definitely on the pricey side, so I’m hoping I can find one on sale next week, whether from the brand or one of their retailers.
Ten Little “Everyday Original” Sneakers. I like these sneakers because they’re healthy for developing feet and they’re not offensive to look at (I don’t love the turquoise velcro, but otherwise no complaints). I wanted to stock up on a range of bigger sizes while they’re running their Black Friday sale. Their promo is already running, so I bought a handful of pairs earlier this week.
Tonie Box. This will be his main Christmas gift from Austin and me this year. He’s obsessed with music and constantly requesting we play songs on our phones so I’m excited about a screen-free alternative. Hopefully he is too!
Patagonia Reversible Tribbles Hoodie. This was initially on my list of things to buy if it went on sale, but I ended up finding one secondhand on Poshmark yesterday 😎.
Toddler learning tower. Really want one of these (not sure what brand yet), and figured Black Friday would be a good time to buy.
Tubby Todd All-Over Ointment. Need to stock up on my favorite heavy duty moisturizer for winter-chapped baby cheeks.
Merino wool base layers and socks for outdoor winter play. I’m eyeing a few brands to see what goes on sale, including Chasing Windmills, Joha, TK Clothing, and Iksplor.
Hanna Andersson striped long john pajama sets. The toddler version of my favorite HA PJs that I keep re-buying in larger sizes. All their pajamas are 50% off right now, so I already bought these.
Plus a few self-care-related things for me…
Dieux “Instant Angel” moisturizer, which is now a daily go-to and I want to stock up if it goes on sale. I still love the Biossance moisturizers I mention below, but my skin is soooo dry these days and I feel like Dieux’s is slightly more hydrating.
A curl diffuser for my hair. I have a terrible broken one that I’ve been using for way too long and an upgrade is long overdue. I’m torn about what brand to get though, so if anyone has suggestions please share.
A UniKWax series. My now-annual purchase of a 10-wax series to take advantage of the Black Friday discount at my waxing place. Lower legs and armpits, baby!
2023: Postpartum Priorities
Unsurprisingly, a lot of baby-related stuff last year as well…
Leggings and bodysuits from Primary. Their 40%-off Black Friday sale is already running this year.
Anything from Mabo!! I saw they were planning a Black Friday sale, and I didn’t want to forget to browse it. I ended up buying a couple pairs of corduroy overalls.
Silly Silas knit braces. I never found them on sale, so I ended up buying them at full price. No regrets, they’re adorable.
Woolino sleep sack. I already had two but wanted to buy a third. My favorite sleep sack. Their 20%-off Black Friday sale just launched today.
St. Frank crib sheets. So chic. Their current stock is already on sale! I have this pattern.
Evenflo glass bottles. I bought these because my son refused the Dr. Brown’s bottles I got before he was born. For what it’s worth, he didn’t end up liking Evenflo either. Lansinoh turned out to be the only bottles he would take. Sharing this in solidarity for anyone out there with a picky baby. Sometimes you really do just need to try out a handful of different bottle brands, as frustrating as it is.
Plus, some beauty stuff for me and a coat for Austin…
Biossance Omega Repair Cream and Copper Peptide Serum. I love all Biossance products (amazing for rosacea-prone / sensitive skin), and these are two favorites that I’ve used on and off for years. Their Black Friday sale has already started this year, just FYI if you’re a fan too and want to stock up.
UniKWax series.
Ski coat for Austin. His old ski coat that he’d had for over a decade was starting to tear in places, so it was time for a new one.
2022: Cleaning Product Overhaul
This was the year I overhauled our household cleaning products and replaced everything with unscented, EWG-vetted alternatives. I have incredibly sensitive skin and really noticed a difference afterward…
Branch Basics Concentrate. I bought in bulk, and I’m still making my way through my stash two years later. HUGE fan of this company.
Dropps unscented dishwasher and laundry detergent. Still use both of these and love.
Blueland dish soap. Still use this because I bought in bulk and have some remaining stash, and I think it’s a very effective product, but I’ll probably look for an alternative when we’ve gone through it because I don’t love how the powder floats into the air and gets in my face when I’m washing dishes...lol. I really like Blueland in general though, and want to try their dishwasher tablets when we run out of the Dropps ones because they’re plastic-free.
I also stocked up on…
Biossance Omega Repair Cream and Copper Peptide Serum.
Knickey underwear. My all-time favorite underwear. The brand changed its name and is now called Subset, but the underwear is the same.
K18 Leave-in Molecular Hair Repair. Since this product is sold by a bunch of retailers, I browsed various options to figure out where I could get the best discount. I love this hair mask and still use it every time I wash my hair.
UnikWax series. This was the year I discovered that my waxing place runs a Black Friday sale and that it makes sense to buy in bulk for the year instead of paying for each appointment individually!!! Duh!
2021: Short and Sweet
A short and somewhat random list this year…
AYR “Sizzle” pants (in navy). I already owned these pants in black and wanted them in another color. Sadly they were out of stock in my size, and they stopped making this style.
Biossance Omega Repair Cream and Copper Peptide Serum.
Graf Lantz felt coasters. My favorite coasters. I already had some but I wanted to stock up on another set. Still use and love them. Their 30%-off sale is already runnning.
A selection of copper pots and pans from Mauviel and Ruffoni. This was the year Austin and I got married and we received a cash credit to buy these as a wedding gift through Zola, but I waited until Black Friday so I could look for them on sale. The quality is truly incredible, and they look so pretty hanging on the pot rack above our kitchen island. I’ve also collected a couple of vintage ones since then, too.
2020: Pandemic Hibernation
Nesting-friendly decor and attire the year I barely left my apartment…
Miele vacuum. An incredible vacuum. Still love it just as much now as when we got it four years ago. Some of their models are already on sale for Black Friday.
Jiu Jie knot pillow. I’d wanted one for months and waited for their Black Friday sale to buy one at a discount.
Underwear (ARQ and Knickey). During the pandemic I lived in my ultra high-waist ARQ underwear (RIP, the brand shut down recently), but the Knickey styles have had more longevity in my wardrobe over subsequent years.
Hillhouse nap dress. Another very 2020 Black Friday list addition.
Plus, some beauty product restocks…
Dr. Gross peel pads. I was really into these at the time but have since stopped using. I think my skin is too sensitive.
Glossier mascara and eyebrow gel. I’ve always liked these two products they make. Maybe there are better versions out there from other brands but I don’t wear makeup often enough to feel motivated to research. Now that I’m thinking about it, I should probably add these to my list for this year as well, unless someone wants to influence me in another direction!
Biossance Omega Repair Cream and Probiotic Gel.
If you’re looking for a different way to approach Black Friday this year, or simply a reprieve from the onslaught of sale roundups that are probably hitting your inbox right now, I hope you found this somewhat peaceful to read. Also, if you’ve started putting together a premeditated shopping list of your own, I would love to know what’s on it 👀.
xo Harling
Might I recommend the Ilia Limitless Mascara as a “similar but slightly better” alternative to Glossier. The majority of my makeup is now Ilia and am super satisfied.
this was so soothing to read. thank you!