Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read more.
Canadian shoppers get two major sale periods in quick succession: Black Friday in late November and Boxing Day after Christmas. Both are loud and both promise big savings, so it is natural to wonder which is actually better. The honest answer is that it depends on what you want to buy. This guide compares the two and offers a simple plan for choosing.
Black Friday, together with Cyber Monday, is especially strong for online shopping and electronics. Many deals start days or weeks in advance, and stores often release limited quantities of their best offers.
It also arrives before Christmas, which matters if you are buying gifts. A good price on a present you receive in time is worth more than a slightly better price that arrives late.
Boxing Day is a long-standing Canadian tradition, with broad sales on clothing, home goods, winter gear and electronics. Because it falls after the holidays, it is a good time to buy things for yourself, or to pick up seasonal items at a discount.
Stock can be thinner than in November, and some online deals sell out quickly, so the exact model you want may not be available.
There is no rule that one is always cheaper. Some products are discounted more in November, others in December, and it varies by store and year. The only reliable way to know is to compare the price of the specific item you want.
If you have a particular product in mind, watch its price from October onwards. You will see what the normal range is and whether either event offers a real improvement.
In October, choose the items you want and note today's price. Set a target price. In late November, compare the event price with your note. If it hits your target, buy. If not, keep your alert on and look again after Christmas.
Whatever happens, buy at the lowest of the prices you saw, and do not feel pressured by a countdown timer.
Doorbuster offers are often limited to a handful of units. A low price may also be for an older model or a different version than the one you were watching, so read the model number carefully.
Check the return policy as well. Some retailers shorten the window for holiday purchases, which matters if the item turns out to be wrong.
A useful rule: for gifts you need before December 25, plan around Black Friday. For things you want for yourself, Boxing Day is a good second chance.
Kangaroo Kart is a price drop alert app: paste a product link, name the price you would be happy with, and get a notification the moment it drops. The app is launching soon on iOS and Android, and you can join the early list to hear the day it lands.