16 things our shopping editors waited all year until Black Friday to buy

Black Friday 2024 is officially here!

This is the moment we’ve all waited for and we’re finally shopping like it is our job. Because it is! As we have with the last two Prime Days, our shopping and deals crew has rounded up the top items we’ve decided to buy this week during all of the big Black Friday deals.

We’ve got a decade of experience with shopping online and watching Black Friday sales, so these are our predictions for products we expect to see on sale this week. Some of these hot-ticket items are also expected to sell out fast. We saw an early Black Friday Dyson Airwrap deal sell out in a day just a few weeks ago.

Each member of the team has narrowed down some of the top coveted items we’re hoping to snag at a discounted rate during all of these Black Friday sales.

New skincare from Paula’s Choice, Belif and BIODANCE

I’m Ana, the manager of the Content Innovation & Digital Growth team, and I am still trying to recover from the days of using St. Ive’s face wash and over-exfoliating my skin. I wait all year and snag everything during Black Friday or Prime Day to stock up on what I need. Black Friday always tends to be the best day to score the biggest deals on the brands I love, like Paula’s Choice, Belif, and BIODANCE.

The big bottle of Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant is normally a whopping $35, but for Black Friday it is down to $27. While Paula’s Choice has markdowns, I’ll also snag some of their C15 Super Booster (24% off) to help get rid of hyperpigmentation on my skin. I’ve read online these two are like a power duo to minimize the appearance of pores and help bring more life to your skin. These might just be buzzwords, but they’re working on me.

For the last three Black Fridays, I’ve bought this belif The True Cream Moisturizing Eye Bomb for anywhere between 30% to 50% off and I plan to do the same in 2024. It always lasts me the full year, since I use it only at night and I’ve never had an issue with it in all of these years. It is perfect for my sensitive skin and keeps the skin around my eyes soft and smooth. I’ll probably pick up the brand’s Cooling Eye Gel for a morning pick-me-up since it is 34% off.

As I’ve mentioned before, I am the TikTok-obsessed member of my team. That means I got sucked into trying BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, and the hype is real. This mask is like a breath of fresh air for my skin. It is so intensely hydrating, which means I need to snag as many discounted packs as I can get ahead of the cold winter months. A 4-pack is currently 32% off for Black Friday, while the 16-pack is 30% off.

A new pair of HOKA Clifton 9 sneakers

For me, Black Friday is typically a restock time. I don’t want a PS5 or a new TV, I want to replace my favorite things that desperately need it. I am a HOKA girlie and have been for years now. I’ve worn my Clifton 9 sneakers into the ground. Literally. The bottoms of my soles have officially worn out around the toes and I need to put my current pair to rest. I have a pair of Bondi 8 sneakers but have found those are better suited for my 30,000 step days in Disney World and my HOKA Clifton 9 sneakers are my preferred shoe for walks around my neighborhood and at my Rumble boxing classes.

My current pair is just the classic Black/White colorway, and I want to restock those exact sneakers. But, if I were to see these on super sale, I’d be inclined to snag two pairs and get a new color as well, I’ve got my eye on the Sunlit Ocean / Lilac Mist and Frost / Rose Gold colorways.

A slew of Amika hair products

I wasn’t kidding that Black Friday has a recurring theme for me: restocking. The final thing I plan to restock is my Amika staples. I have been growing my hair out for years and it has been a success in large part due to investing in quality hair products, and Amika is a brand I’ve grown obsessed with over the last few years, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

The Top 2 Amika products that I’m planning to grab when they go on sale are the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner and Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask. Both smell absolutely amazing and leave my hair feeling softer than ever. I tend to use the mask once a week and then use the leave-in conditioner every few days, I’d love to use it daily but at $29 per 200 ml, I try to conserve it. I’ve got my eye on the Amika Power Hour Curl Refreshing Spray to see if it goes on sale as well because I’m always on the hunt for a good curl product.

Hi, I’m Dawn, one of our team’s Shopping Tips & Deals writers and this is going to be a stellar year for Black Friday savings. I’m already seeing so many cheap sale prices, but I have my sights set on a few key items for the holidays.

At the very top of my Black Friday shopping list is a Solo Stove Smokeless Fire Pit. This is a major splurge and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it’s been on the wishlist since summer. Our current fire pit burnt its last fire in early June and my husband and I’ve been mulling over a new one ever since.

But unlike last time, we’re going big with the Solo Stove Yukon Smokeless Fire Pit. This fire pit carries a hefty price tag normally ($450) and if you decide to go with the Backyard Bundle like we are, it’ll cost you $940. But Solo Stove has big savings on its smokeless fire pits for Black Friday and the Yukon Backyard Bundle is $290 off, dropping its price to $650.

Normally, I’d balk at the price but there are a few additional factors in this decision. First, the Yukon Backyard Bundle has everything (removable base plate, ash pan, shield, stand, lid, and shelter). So, instead of piecing all the accessories together afterward, you get them all in a bundle at a discounted price.

Second, this fire pit is “smokeless,” and if you’ve ever seen the meme, no matter where I sit the smoke follows me. Yes, that is my superpower. Lastly, this fire pit has a lifetime warranty and I’m not buying another one ever again.

More out of necessity than style, I’m grabbing the Viral Orolay Down Jacket for Black Friday. This viral jacket has sold out so many times on Amazon, I’ve lost count, but I’m expecting it to sell out again this year.

The main reason this jacket is on my Black Friday wishlist is for warmth. I want a jacket that’s extremely warm to layer up with this winter. I am done freezing to get the mail, walk the dogs, take the garbage out, and run to my car in the snow and ice. I just want to be warm and this jacket looks like it will fit the bill.

With over 28,000 positive ratings, the Orolay Down Jacket has become a fan favorite with its wind-resistant and waterproof design. It’s touted for its fleece-lined hood, numerous pockets, and fitted wristbands that keep the cold out. Reviewers have said, “Very warm, stylish, soft, and full of down for a cold winter,” and I hope when it arrives, I’ll agree.

Currently, the Orolay Down Jacket is on sale for 45% off on Amazon, and I don’t expect it to creep any lower before the holidays. This one’s already in my cart in green.

The kitchen essential Our Place Always Pan 2.0

I waited a long time to finally decide that I needed and deserved the Our Place Always Pan. I’ve seen the commercials, read the articles, seen it in action online, and lusted over it on my social feed. But finally, I am giving into temptation and buying what I now consider an essential part of dinner planning and preparation.

If you’re not familiar with the Always Pan, this famous pan replaces 10 pieces of cookware, including your fry pan, saute pan, steamer, roasting dish, baking dish, skillet, saucier, nonstick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. So, basically, this is the only pan you’ll ever need (or rather I’ll need) to cook with.

This is also a viral product that has sold out multiple times since its release back in 2019. Now in its second generation, the Always Pan 2.0 has a toxic-free design, is oven-safe up to 450 degrees, and is just so nice to look at with a variety of colors to choose from.

Thankfully, Our Place is having a Black Friday sale with the “lowest prices of the year” and the Always Pan 2.0 is now $95, instead of $150, for a savings of $55 off. So, this one is getting wrapped up under the tree just for me (in Spice).

Hi, I’m Danielle, another Shopping & Commerce Writer on our Content Innovation team. To be completely honest, I’m not planning any huge frivolous Black Friday purchases this year because my husband and I spent a nice chunk of change on an end-of-year vacation for our 10-year wedding anniversary and we’re Christmas shopping for three kiddos already. I have a few things that I’d be happy to buy, though, if the price is too good to pass up. BÉIS luggage is at the top of my list because I’ve written about the brand so many times, I know I finally need to join the party.

The last time we got new luggage was right before our wedding and, while the soft-side Samsonite 3-piece has served us well over the last decade, it’s high time we invested in some hard-shell suitcases. BÉIS has some of the sleekest carry-ons and check-in luggage around, and the neutral colors are trendy, but totally timeless, too. So, I’ve been thinking about snagging a Large Check-In Roller, a Medium Check-In Roller, and a Carry-On Roller for our family of five.

BÉIS already has bundling offers where you can get 10% off when you combine two rollers and 15% off when you combine three rollers, but I’d love to see each piece 20-25% off for Black Friday, which would bring my total expense down by over $200 (reduced to well under $700).

We’re thinking about a trip to Disney next year, so I might even take the opportunity to stock up on some kids’ luggage and backpacks for my little mousketeers, as well.

My youngest, who is two years old now, was a Lovevery baby through and through. He had Play Kits for every developmental stage, and we’ve passed everything down to my sister for her newborn to use as he grows up. Even my middle child, my little girl — who is 5 years old now — got an incredible amount of use out of her 4-year-old Play Kit last year.

I have hyped the brand for years, telling parents, friends, and family members how amazing all of the playthings, books, and activity mats are, so I was so excited to hear about The Real Life Play Kitchen coming out. Designed for toddlers aged 18 months and older, this adorable pretend and practical play mini kitchen is a perfect Christmas present for my son — I can already picture it in the middle of his presents with a huge bow on it.

What sets this play kitchen apart is its thoughtful design, which takes inspiration from always-popular water tables and trendy sensory bins. The sink has a gentle water flow and a spill-proof basin, so when the littles are playing, they won’t be making too big of a mess. The child-sized utensils and food-grade accessories, like a colander and cutting board, also lets toddlers and preschoolers mimic grown-up activities in a safe and scaled-down environment. Plus, the interchangeable colored and patterned backsplashes — six of them — add a personalized and highly aesthetic touch.

I’m seriously obsessed with this kitchen because it’s not obnoxiously primary-colored or blaring with earworm-y songs or sounds and it encourages creativity and a sense of responsibility. I can imagine my little guy rinsing vegetables, chopping pretend food and drying dishes, and I can only hope those simple building blocks breed important life skills, cooperation and the concept of everyone in our family having a role and contributing.

At $300, this definitely isn’t a cheap gift, but Lovevery is offering up to 25% off sitewide / holiday bundle savings for Black Friday/Cyber Monday. This first-time-ever move for the brand is knocking 10% off spends of $80+, 15% off spends of $125+, 20% off spends of $250 or more and 25% off spends of $500 or more. So, I can get the kitchen for $240, instead $300, through Dec. 8!

Beekman 1802 Bloom Cream Daily Face Moisturizer

During this time of year, my hands are usually dry, red, and cracked. And I’ve used every hand lotion and body moisturizer out there to fix the problem, from Kiehl’s and CeraVe to Aveeno and Aesop. I honestly just tried Beekman to placate my mom, who couldn’t stop talking about how great “the goat’s milk beauty products” were, but after only a few days of using the Wicked Defy Gravity Whipped Body Cream (which I was, fortunately, able to sample ahead of the “Wicked” premiere), my hands were changed for the better — well, for the best, really.

My skin has never felt softer and more youthful, and I’m a TOTAL convert now. Not only has this whipped body cream gone on without a greasy after feel, but it also absorbs instantly, and it leaves my hands smelling like fruity pebbles in the best way, thanks to the sweet Elphaba-inspired gourmand scent. I’m obsessed with this fluffy paraben and sulfate-free rich goat milk and creamy butter salve, and I’ll be heartbroken when the container is wiped clean. So, I plan on replenishing the “Elphie lotion mommy loves!” and also stocking up on some other hero body creams.

While I’m at it, I’d also love to try Beekman’s famous Bloom Cream Daily Face Moisturizer with moisturizing goat’s milk, hydrating and pore-minimizing niacinamide. The company says this bestselling “elegant, lightweight formula is designed to work on all skin types and it literally blooms out of the bottle with every pump.” And if it works in any way like the Whipped Body Cream, then I will become a customer for life. Right now, the Jumbo Bottle is 35% off — $82, down from $108 — but if Black Friday brought an additional 10-15% off in discounts, I’d be sold.

I’m Victoria Rosenthal, associate editor for SEO/commerce on the Content Innovation Team. My TV is a relic from my college years. Despite it being an old geezer, it has withstood the test of time — 12 years to be exact. This 21-inch Samsung flat-screen has seen it all: all-nighters, breakups, procrastination, (not great) dorm room dance practice, Beyonce’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, the whole final season of “Breaking Bad.” Although this baby has been at my side for over a decade, it’s time for an upgrade.

That upgrade won’t be so difficult or pricey since I’m going with the latest model of the TCL 50-inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV with Fire TV. It’s a big enough size for a bedroom with a renter-friendly footprint. It has enhanced visuals and sound thanks to its 4K UltraHD resolution screen, Dolby Atmos Audio, and Enhanced Dialogue Mode for more intelligible and clear audio. Plus, I can actually enjoy playing video games with my Nintendo Switch, FireTV Stick with the Xbox Game Pass app, PlayStation 2, and PS4 on this larger TV in Auto Game Mode. It automatically turns on when you hook up a gaming console and uses the lowest possible input lag and latency for improved gameplay.

It already has a 4-star rating on Amazon and a 4.2-star rating at Best Buy. And you can’t beat Amazon’s Black Friday deal that gives you 23% off, bringing the price down from $300 to $230. As a replacement for my beloved college TV, this one might be a winner.

As a board and card game fan, I love trying out as many of them as possible. My favorites range from “13 Dead End Drive” and “Exploding Kittens” to “Jumanji” and “Nightmare The Video Board Game.” But one game I’ve always wanted to play more is “Ticket to Ride.” After playing it once in a board game café, I was hooked. A board game that’s meant to transport you into another world, time, or dimension and immerse you in the story will always be added to my cart.

While going cross country to claim the most train lines and points, the competition, strategy, and fast pace bring excitement to the game, unlike some slow-burn titles that one might call boring (cough cough, “Monopoly”). “Ticket to Ride” is easy to learn so anyone can quickly understand the gameplay and join in. Also, there’s a feature where Amazon Alexa can act as a player for a more immersive experience. She can keep track of gameplay and points and add atmospheric sound effects and music that transports you back to 1910 in the United States.

Because of its $55 price point, I’ve always been hesitant to spend that kind of money on a board game. But now that Amazon has “Ticket to Ride” on sale for $25 during its Black Friday sale, that’s over half off the retail price. I have no reason not to buy it!