Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rhonda said 5:09PM on 9-01-2008
How do you dare to insult Christians? You should be ashamed of yourself..Christians are the backbone of America.By the way our Christian God does start with a capital G.You have no right to condemn our beliefs at least we have them.
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Eric said 6:52PM on 9-01-2008
How dare those crazy Christians want to put Jesus, the King of kings, in the center of all they do. Haha. I thought this review was kinda funny actually, a little offensive, but funny.
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BJ said 10:00PM on 9-01-2008
You know what?? I am a Christian also....and I thought this was hilarious!! LOL thanks for letting us know about this and for the good laugh to boot! hahahahaha! :-)
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Twolf said 8:17PM on 9-01-2008
haha.. Sure, no one has ever heard of Skillet. Thats why they keep getting played on mainstream stations. This idiot probably thinks the same of POD too.
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Gina said 3:09AM on 9-02-2008
It's strange to me how closed-minded non Christians are (usually liberals; please tell me if I'm wrong). The very people who call conservatives closed-minded ignorant are themselves ignorant and fearful of things they don't understand. Reading the different views in the blogs proves this over and over. Come on people, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm not going to get nasty and negative about yours, so please give those of us who disagree with you a chance to voice ours.
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Kristy said 9:34PM on 9-01-2008
"jam along with songs from bands you've never heard of, like Skillet, Day of Fire, and Family Force 5. "
It's funny that you would say this because I HAVE heard of these bands and they are great! It just shows that you are NOT a Christian and don't listen to Contemporary Christian music. Don't assume EVERYONE else is just like you -- they are NOT!
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dieter said 1:45AM on 9-02-2008
i guess thats why christians bands are so popular and selling so many records right? my girlfriend is a music director and librarian at 2 radio stations and has never heard of this crap.
Blair said 10:48AM on 9-02-2008
@dieter
Obviously a liberal radio station who won't play anything good since I hear tons of Christian rock bands on secular rock stations almost daily.
bethany dillon said 2:32AM on 9-02-2008
a lot of Christian bands have been featured on MTV, so a lot of people have heard of skillet. while i don't agree with christians needed to make things that aren't really bad to begin with "christian" i don't see how this is so bad. instead of black sabbath, you can play songs from Lifehouse, the Fray, Paramore, POD, Aly & Aj, the Jonas Brothers (yes they are christian), Blindside, Switchfoot, Relient K, Eisley, Superchick, Flyleaf.... oh i'm sorry! those are bands you haven't heard of! my bad!
do you honestly think that we all listen to 4Him and steven curtis chapman all day?
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lisa said 10:43PM on 9-01-2008
I don't understand why ads have to refer to Christians as "crazy Christians". Maybe we just prefer to have our children playing praise music instead of profanity. My son want to play the drums in a Christian band someday, and I much prefer that to the type of music that is glorified and promoted these days for kids.
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Britboyj27 said 12:22AM on 9-02-2008
"My son want to play the drums"
Well, at least he won't have to put all that grammar you've taught him to use...
janine said 12:09PM on 9-02-2008
I LOVE all of these groups and so do my teenagers! You should try and listen to them. I can't wait to get this for them! Not to sure why this guy is so negative toward Christians,but I am proud to be a Jesus freak!
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margi said 12:02AM on 9-02-2008
What a whiner...you think you and your music preferences are the only ones to have something like this..for the life of me , I can't figure why it should bother or concern you at all. You obviously have not listened to Christian music like this..but wait, you could never admit to liking it anyway. Too bad.
I can appreciate a variety of music styles and artists..and if I don't like the lyrics or presentation of the music then I don't have to listen,but at least I don't complain or criticize because it is not my choice of performer or music style. What are you afraid of, anyway? I genuinely feel sorry for you and that you are so very closed minded.
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Chris said 12:25AM on 9-02-2008
This isn't a matter of whether or not the ad is funny or insulting, its the fact that whoever wrote this actually feels the way they do because they don't understand. The game has praise music, that's great but we need to remember that just because something has the word "Christian" in it doesn't make it for what that word really stands for. Christianity is in full, a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, not music, guitar praise, or cool christian movies.
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cmooregirl said 12:29AM on 9-02-2008
AOL - I blame you. This writer has a disease called reprobate (stupidity), so he is entitled to be stupid. But AOL you are going to allow his stupidity to make fun of a very large powerful group of people (Christians) who if offended enough could and would boycott your services. Think....please somebody think.
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Moore Luck said 12:39AM on 9-02-2008
Why is it that christians get bashed for doing the right things-things that are morally sound and have been traditionally viewed as the right thing to do in this nation? It is true that the blessings of God are on this country because of God's people-Christians. Why would anyone want to continue to give their children music that is lewd, immoral and evil?
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kintin said 5:08PM on 9-02-2008
Largely because lots and lots of you keep trying to impose your lifestyle and values on the rest of us. The Christian right can't go a week without a public figure issuing a severely sexist, homophobic, or downright hateful statement, and its political influence threatens to criminalize lifestyles that are harmful to no-one (gay marriage and sodomy laws come to mind). Keep yr values to yourself, and you might encounter less vilification of your religion.
Also Christians aren't God's chosen people, the Bible says that Jews are (multiple times, actually). All the "Christians" in the Bible are actually Jews. Might wanna dig into that book a little.
Teezee said 2:28PM on 9-24-2008
It's people Just like YOU who would condemn parents for not wanting their children to play songs with explicit lyrics. By the way, Christians use the same notes and chords to play that other goups do, and like others the words they write express their thoughts and emotions. Why would you have a problem with that unless you are a Bigot? If you aren't try some christian bands out that are similiar to the bands you like. You might find yourself realizing Christians are not weird. Christians just want other thoughts occupying their mind. By the way you can find almost every genre just with different lyrics. Hard Rock, Celtic,Rap, Punk, Reggae etc
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dannean said 3:47AM on 9-02-2008
My children listen to Christian music and also love playing Guitar Hero. They will be thrilled to hear of a Chriatian version. Eternal salvation from playing a game? Being saved is a personal decision based on faith and it comes from the heart. Thank God my children know that! We should praise God in everything we do. So that is why us crazy Christians can't leave anything alone.
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matt said 9:38AM on 9-02-2008
yep, those freakin' crazy christians...Wanting their dang porn-free fun for themselves and their families, and their symbols of faith on their clothing and personal items. Real circus freaks...
A "religious" flame war in a comments section is useless, but I hope people take time to look past the "Crazy Christian" joke to see people who have true relationships with a living God.