Black Friday is that special day when mothers tackle mothers in the Barbie aisle and dads arm wrestle perfect strangers over the last Xbox. Or is it? According to our recent holiday shopping survey, most of you aren’t really wild-eyed frenzied toy hunters; you’re just regular people looking for good deals on practical gifts. In fact, a full 36.45% of women consider themselves practical gift givers as do 39.74% of men. And Black Friday is the piece de resistance for practical gift shoppers because there are tons of great deals to be had on the most practical of purchases. There are some areas for which you might find better deals are other days, such as winter apparel and non-doorbuster toys. But countless great prices can be found on practical purchases like electronics, major appliances, kitchen gear and bedding. There’s so much to choose from, but if you follow this list of Black Friday ideas, you can expect to score bargains and hear a lot of “Hey! I’m going to actually use this!” on Christmas Day. Use this list as an inspirational guide and check your local listings for Black Friday pricing on practical gifts in your neighborhood.
Unbreakable Beer Glasses
There’s nothing like the sound of breaking glass to bring the festivities to a halt, so buy these for your favorite party host.
iRobot Floor Mopping Robot
Whoever you give this to will love you forever. Seriously.
Case of Staples Multipurpose Paper
We’re serious! Show the college students in your life (or the home-office workers) that you really get them. Staples will be selling this $54 case for just $13 (after rebate) on Black Friday.
Nest Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
If you’re a true friend, you’ll give this gift and stick around to install it right away.
Hotel Collection Bath Towels
New bath towels for yourself can be painful to splurge on, so do the dirty work and splurge on a set for your loved one.
iPad Air 2
Best Buy has achieved legendary status with its past Black Friday deals, and this year they’re slashing around $100 from the iPad Air 2.
Samsung 55” Curved Smart HDTV
According to Consumer Reports (see, we said they were useful!), Walmart’s pricing makes this a notable Black Friday deal.
Boll and Branch Sheet Set
Three reasons to buy these sheets: their softness is remarkable, purchases help good causes, and last year they had a Black Friday sale that we hope they’ll emulate this year.
Instant Pot 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
On sitcoms, kitchen appliance gifts often elicit eye rolls, but in real life this multi-purpose pressure cooker might actually garner applause.
18-Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set
For barbeque enthusiasts, this organized and comprehensive set is the ultimate in practical gift giving.
Consumer Reports
It’s not the biggest page-turner, but Consumer Reports is one of the most useful magazines out there.
Retro Countertop Microwave Oven
Microwaves top the lists of Black Friday steals, and this retro and compact one is perfect for hip city dwellers.
Universal Remote Control
By the end of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this simple tool will be an absolute necessity.
Smart Meter for Shower
A practical gift for your loved one and for the environment.
Smart Monitor Stand and Board
This stand makes it possible to keep workspaces tidy, despite the merging of keyboard, monitor, phone, USB stick, little notepad and, of course, the coffee cup.
Spinning Cosmetic Organizer
You’ve seen her makeup-strewn bathroom counter and you know there must be a better way to live. Buy this for her.
Innovative Bread Maker
Breadmakers are the unsung heroes of perfect mornings, and this one brings style and delicious aroma.
French Door Refrigerator
Admittedly, this is a gift more suited to your spouse than your coworker. We like the French Door look, but the selection is vast and the Black Friday savings are massive – so take your pick.
Keurig Elite Brewing System
Many kitchens already have a Keurig, but for those that don’t: Black Friday is the time to buy one.
Trunk Organizer and Cooler Set
You know your friend whose car interior resembles the junk drawer in your kitchen? This is for him.
Row Boat Serving Bowl with Wood Serving Utensils
We are confident that if you give this gift Christmas morning, you’ll see it being used by dinnertime.
Baby Pajamas
Okay, so the elf ensemble isn’t the most practical item on this list – but there are other styles to choose from and any parent will agree there’s no such thing as too many PJs. So stock up!
Looking for more deals? Check out all of our favorite gifts under $100!
