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If you don’t take advantage of Black Friday to get your holiday gift shopping squared away, you’re massively missing out. Some people jump in with a full spreadsheet and a game plan, but for the folks who are a little less locked and loaded, allow me to make some suggestions. My personal gifting philosophy is to stick with the fun, the frivolous, and the delightful, so you won’t find any prosaic duvets or humdrum vacuums here — for that, you can check out our dedicated Black Friday bedding and vacuum guides. What you will find are itty-bitty sweaters for the dedicated dog parent; bows and bags for the budding coquette; and camera-equipped feeders for the morning birdwatcher.
To make it easier to shop, everything below is organized by price, so you can click ahead to the section that best fits your budget. For even more Black Friday deals, check out our guide to the best deals from over 60 retailers, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to get sales alerts sent straight to your inbox.
Deals I Personally Think Are the Best
While there are plenty of kid’s toys out there that go whizz, pop, and bang, I think it’s impossible to go wrong with sticking a classic, cuddly teddy bear under the tree, and Gund’s hefty 17-inch one is nearly half off at Amazon. Meanwhile, for adults, Hay’s cordless portable lamp is currently 30 percent off at Design Within Reach, and it would make for a practical and design-forward gift for just about anybody. And for that special someone (or just yourself), Studs is offering 30 percent off sitewide, plus an extra 30 percent off already marked-down styles — meaning these chunky silver star hoops are down to just $27.
Under $25
This under-the-sea take on a classic lava lamp would be cool in a kid’s bedroom.
Glossier’s beloved Balm Dotcom now comes in a stocking-stuffer-ready duo with two limited-edition holiday flavors: Biscotti and Espresso.
Our best-selling silk pillowcase, for a sister or mother-in-law who loves little luxuries.
Damson Madder’s red knitted hair bow would be the cherry on top of a festive holiday party look.
They may seem unsexy, but don’t underestimate the versatility of these cork massage balls. Gym rats can use them to dig into a sore shoulder while serious hikers can roll out the arches of their feet after a long trek.
I still feel nostalgic for when all I had was my Tamagotchi to entertain me on long road trips. The retro controls and simple graphics are a nice alternative to TikTok.
DedCool’s subtly musky Milk is perfect for people who hate smelling like perfume.
One of my friends is a passionate cruciverbalist, and I think she’d love this whimsical newspaper vase for her new apartment.
A lovable teddy bear that will surely be cherished for years to come — add a bow around its neck and it’s ready to gift.
At the Ssense sale, I spotted this little pretzel-esque ornament for someone who loves their Jiu Jie knot cushion.
Speaking of ornaments, Catbird has some truly great ones. While all of the brand’s jewelry is 20 percent off as well, I’m particularly charmed by this beaded oyster and prawn.
Under $50
What can I say — I can never resist mini-versions of things. Here’s a fun Ghia set to gift someone who’s planning on Dry January.
The reign of the coquette continues! I’ve resisted the lure of Baggu’s shoulder bag thus far, but this baby-blue one embroidered with swans, snakes, and spiders might finally convince me.
With its moldable built-in cups that block every sliver of light, Manta’s sleep mask would be highly appreciated by the frequent traveler.
Bathing Culture’s earthy, uplifting body wash, housed in a refillable glass bottle, was basically designed to appeal to the hippie environmentalist.
Frequent cooks know that you can never have too many cutting boards, and Material Kitchen’s reBoard is our top pick for its durable and easy-to-clean surface.
Monastery’s Universal Balm would be a lifesaver for someone who’s contending with flaky lips, cracked knuckles, and ashy elbows.
These insulated cold-weather slippers were gifted to Strategist writer Arielle Avila by her sister during their first New York winter. She’s found them very convenient for grabbing the mail or popping over to the corner bodega, especially on frigid days.
An invigorating soap brick studded with poppy seeds and scented in a seasonally appropriate peppermint.
Frequent ravers will appreciate these good-looking earplugs that lower the volume without muffling the subtleties of that masterful transition.
As someone who mixes gold and silver jewelry with abandon, I feel like these two-toned star hoops from Studs would quickly become a key cornerstone of my accessorizing strategy.
A less-expensive version of Magna-Tiles, which nearly every parent we’ve ever spoken to has recommended because they can be endlessly remixed and reused for imaginative play.
As anyone with a friend who’s a devoted dog parent knows, their wishlists are often full of things for Fido and nothing for themselves. This colorful argyle sweater, a collab between Little Beast and Lisa Says Gah, is guaranteed to get a prominent feature on their Instagram.
All of Pieceworks’ puzzles are 30 percent off — I’m especially fond of these enchanted mushrooms, created in tandem with the magazine Mushroom People, for the mycological enthusiast in your life.
I can very easily picture this Areaware concrete office set on the desk of an avowed minimalist. With code MERRY30, you can get the already on-sale set for nearly half off.
Under $100
My boyfriend uses this ThermoWorks food thermometer pretty much every time he’s in the kitchen, and liked it so much that he gifted one to his parents as well.
A scarf-style Shiatsu massager would be a welcome gift for anyone who spends all day hunched over a computer (hint, hint).
The Yoto audio player, designed to keep kids entertained and curious without screens, made our list of the expensive toys that are actually worth it — but it’s 21 percent less expensive if you buy it on Black Friday.
A great gift for the new grad, Calpak’s packing cube sets are festooned in plenty of fun patterns, from leopard to polka dots. Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths also likes that they come with a waterproof envelope, which she uses to hold toiletries and skin care.
Normally I’d be against gifting coasters, but I’ll make an exception for these adorable contrast-trimmed flower-shaped ones from Misette.
Bookworms reading late into the night would make good use of Hay’s cordless portable lamp. Former Strategist writer Chloe Anello loved its “vague mushroom shape and petite size, perfect for a side table or nightstand.”
Here’s a multipack of Fishwife’s greatest hits, from smoked salmon with Sichuan chile crisps to rainbow trout smoked over beechwood. Dole them out as stocking stuffers or gift them all to a tinned-fish buff.
When you’re really at a loss for gift ideas, a delivery of fresh flowers will at least provide a pretty pick-me-up.
Under $200
A sworn maximalist may be a fan of Dusen Dusen’s vibrant striped bathrobes.
For anyone who’s tired of lugging around hardcovers, the latest Kindle version now includes wireless charging and maintains a charge for up to three months.
Avid bakers can use these mini Staub cocottes to make everything from cobblers to gratins to pot pies. Bonus: They come in three display-worthy pastel shades.
Loftie’s gentle alarm clock, which offers tons of tracks for meditation, white noise, nature sounds, and more, might be just the ticket to convert a grumpy night owl into a chipper morning person.
Speaking of, if your giftee is the type to spend their mornings on the porch with a cup of coffee and pair of binoculars, this smart bird feeder will show them up-close footage of any feathered visitors (and can identify their species, too).
Over $200
For the girlfriend who loves shiny things, a diamond initial bracelet from Ring Concierge will be a gorgeous addition to her wrist stack.
For the girlfriend who’s more concerned with diurnal cycles than diamonds.
Pricey as it is, Technivorm’s Moccamaster would more than justify its cost per use for someone who brews multiple cups of coffee per day.
In 2019, I bought a pair of Reformation boots during Black Friday, and five years later, they’re still part of my regular rotation.
AirPods might currently be at the lowest price we’ve ever seen them, but all the teens agree: Everyone’s wearing over-the-ear headphones now.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
