Black Friday is here and this is not a drill.
Black Friday is something that's become an acceptable part of the pre-Christmas shopping cycle in no time at all.
Borne out of the consumer-driven US economy, it has become something of an institution in its short life span in these parts.
We've all seen in its worst form; the footage of massive queues, physical confrontations and whatever else happens after a 24-hour wait to buy a washing machine and stereo combo (there may be no such thing, but there should be).
That type of carry on tends to occur more Stateside than it does over here, but in any case, to take all the pressure of physically getting out there and buying discounted goods and services away, we decided we would round up some of the best online deals out there for Irish shoppers.
That way you can order from the comfort of your own home and not one right hook will be thrown.
We've already covered the tech sector
here and some of the 'Black Flyday' Aer Lingus deals
here and below are a few more options that might take your fancy for the day that's in it.
The popular sporting outlet are docking prices by up to 50% in their Black Friday sale. Fill your boots.
In the run up to Christmas, this could be a godsend for those buying presents for kids. There are lots of discounts to be had all over the store.
Another potential treasure trove for Irish Christmas shoppers ahead of the festive season. Littlewoods do pretty much everything apart from small forests. That's the worst joke/pun ever, but I'm sticking with it. Some ridiculously good value to be had here such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 64gb, reduced from €869.99 to €669.99.
If you're looking for sharp suits and general sartorial elegance, Louis has been at the top of the suit game in this country for quite some time now and with good reason. If you fancy getting some suit action, there is 20% off everything in the shop. The offer has been extended to Sunday.
Groupon already give you discounted deals on everything all year round. So now, on Black Friday, they are discounting their discounts further. It's pure inception lads, but well worth checking out.
The very swish designer outlet is a very popular destination for those who like to look good. They have a Black Friday sale which extends across the weekend right up to Monday and are promising deals of up to 70% off on selected items.
It's difficult being naturally ridiculously good looking, but some are never happy and want to push the boundaries of handsomeness to the extremes. Places like the SISU Clinic are springing up everywhere and they've got in on the Black Friday buzz by offering you a FREE teeth whitening treatment worth €79 if you book any injectable treatment between now and Monday.
Books are one of the best gifts you can get anyone at any time of the year. With Christmas approaching, the good folks at Easons are having a Black Friday sale which extends to midnight on 27 November. If you use the promo code BLACK, you will immediately avail of a 30% discount.
Who doesn't love booking a night or two away in a nice hotel? Nobody, that's who! Hotels.com are offering savings of up to 60% off in their Black Friday sale.
Another huge thing at the top of a lot of kids' Christmas lists is a new bike. Cruisefix are offering a Bridgford Heritage 16" kids bike in Blossom Pink for kids aged 4 - 6 years old with a 15% discount.
Zara is a shop where both men and women can emerge looking more glamorous and not feel the need to re-mortgage. Always a little left of centre compared to other big retailers, they are offering discounts of up to 50% on selected items both online and in store.
Show me somone who doesn't like gadgets and I'll show you somebody who hasn't experienced the elation and euphoria of the smooth opening of a CD player with the simple press of a button. Okay, that's probably just a personal thing, but there is no denying that gadgets are hugely popular in all their forms and there are some terrific Black Friday deals to be had here.
We are nothing if not patriotic. We may be in the doldrums right now with the senior team, but it won't be like this forever. Once Big Sam and some fellah who played FIFA takes over the team, our fortunes are bound to improve. You can select anything from the FAI Shop on Black Friday and get a 20% discount. Ole Ole Ole!
We've all taken a trip to Boots at one stage or another in our lives and with good reason. The pharmaceutical chain is offering huge discounts on a big selection of toiletries, medicines and vitamins. How about an electric toothbrush that was on sale for €99.99 and is now selling for €44.99? Yep, that sort of madness is going on.
