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 12)
Christie said 1:41PM on 12-30-2008
Those pictures should be deleted if they are being used as their main profile picture. If I am doing a search for someone and having to look through a list full of people, why should I be subjected to look at a picture of a woman I do not know breastfeeding.
If they want the picture within their photos that is one thing but its another to have it as your main profile picture for everyone to see.
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Shari said 7:15PM on 1-04-2009
What kind of Hypocrites are you people? Why is it OK for Young Girls to show their bare chests or half bare chests in pictures on all kinds of websites, and its OK to see naked or sexual pictures and TV shows, but you are moan and groan about One of the Most Natural thing on this earth and a blessing to be able to do and have? Stop bitching and find a real cause to complain about! This is NOT offensive and NOT sexual in any way shape or form.
Makes me wonder how you all were fed, your mothers and your grandmothers when formula wasn't even available and people couldn't buy baby bottles! Get a grip and wake up. Better yet for those of you that think this is SO wrong, I only pray you never bare children!
T said 3:41AM on 1-05-2009
Your too funny.
Marc said 5:01AM on 1-05-2009
Mixed emotions... Yes, it is one thing to share something that is only varifiably-beautiful! It is natural! It is a wonder! Coming from a males perspectiive.. All things, matters and events have their limitations. I believe, breastfeeding should be until necessary and age apropriate. Yes, people in this world are not all there! Yet, maybe for some, the idea of sharing something so wonderous is okay to share with world...then again, maybe it isn't. i believe, people should not have taken down fotos without reasoning! It is a persons choice to share their precious moments in life and what is most meaningful to them! For the same reasons, I would also have to include that people should allow themselves descretion. Post your most precious moments to be shared with the world, once inside your site! Not to be used as an intro to whom has posted, or their main profile. I believe people are at a loss of what "first impressions" mean. It is a beautiful and most precious act of selflessness! I believe, all you "potti-mouths" on both sides of this fence should stop and have a thought of "clarity". Sometimes we just don't care about what doesn't matter, when we find ourselves in bliss. It's that simple! Instead of shooting your opinions out, take a breather and have a thought as to why it would be... and if you still feel strongly about it .. Pass along a reminder or suggestion that you feel would be better! I have to subside with Christie.. Her thoughts have attracted me, as I find her a sensible woman! A rarity!
Master Shake said 1:51PM on 12-30-2008
LOL Americans are such Puritans. Oh, no! A breast! Hide the children! Call the police! LOL
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queenbee said 8:08PM on 1-04-2009
Do you like corruption, murder, fornication, rape and liars? Puritans technically don't. Hellooo!? Taking a crap is natural but I don't want the world to see me wipe my ass either. Sex is beautiful and natural but if I recall, a photo of two people in the act is call pornography, explicit, and usually obscene. Most people don't care to see, only those who share the intimate experience. Seriously are you that ridiculous?
Carla said 11:29PM on 1-04-2009
Breast feeding is not only a way to feed your baby, it is a bonding time, a private time, one that should only be shared by baby, Mom and the Dad if he is there. It isn't a public observation sport and yes, I know, a lot of guys like watching this. This is a personal time with Mother & child.
T said 3:41AM on 1-05-2009
Yes, totally preposterous! Your right!
WAKE UP! said 3:56AM on 1-05-2009
Carla, no one is forcing YOU to post photos of yourself! This is about someone else's CHOICE to show what THEY do. It comes down to FREEDOM - something Americans are deathly afraid of these days. Sure you SAY you want freedom, but you have more prisoners than Russia and China COMBINED and less than 1/6th of their total population. Something like 80% of the prisoners you have are for "crimes" in which there was NO victim affected in any way. You are a nation of Puritans, like Master Shake said.
katelyn said 6:03PM on 12-30-2008
Oh no- a photo of someone breastfeeding! Christie- perhaps you dont spend much time in public- but the right to breastfeed is protected in most public places in the US. Oh no- you have to see a photo of one the most natural things in the world, with ZERO sexual connotations, on Facebook. Duh- if you were paying attention- you probably would have noticed this around you in public locations at some point. Why should facebook be any different than the bus, train, or plane?? Get a grip- having to view someone breastfeeding is not likely to corrupt your morals in any way. What could you possibly find offensive about a mother feeding her infant?
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kay said 7:34PM on 12-30-2008
Well, of course breastfeeding a child is natural and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. The problem today is that people don't have any dignity left and feel the need to post anything and everything about their personal lives online.
Respect your body, have some dignity and keep those photos at home where you can control who sees them and who doesn't.
sarah said 2:31PM on 12-30-2008
Why do you need a picture of someone breastfeeding? THAT is strange.
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Ken said 2:31PM on 12-30-2008
Breast are evil! Must be stopped! They're evil! EVIL!!!!! (note my sarcasm).
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T said 3:41AM on 1-05-2009
Lol... Well said!
Lisa said 2:34PM on 12-30-2008
It's a woman feeding her child, so what? Get a grip people. If that is what she wants the world to see so be it. God forbid we should offend someone in this country. Self righteous a-holes.
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tnlin said 2:40PM on 12-30-2008
I guess it is ok to post pictures of starving infants?
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joan said 2:47PM on 12-30-2008
I saw those photos, I would agree they were terrible. Who shows children over 4 years old breastfeeding? Some of the photos were just plain trashy. I breast fed all 4 of my children but I would have never posted such ugly photos. As a matter of fact, some of those photos would make some woman not choose to breast feed, especially the photos that looked like trailer trash or perhaps they should have been on Jerry Springer.
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George said 2:53PM on 12-30-2008
Were we talking about trailer trash? I did not know that they pictures were of Britney, Jamie Lynn or Bristol Palin. I guess trailer trash is everywhere.
Joan said 3:13PM on 12-30-2008
Read carefully please. I didnt' say "talking about trailer trash" I said the photos looked like trailer trash. Did u bother to click on the photos and look at them? They were trashy photos! I was totally offended and I breast fed all 4 of my children.
dina said 9:51AM on 1-05-2009
i agree with your statement completely. i breastfed both of my children until they were 1 year old. i think breastfeeding is great for a baby but there is no reason a 3 or 4 year old child should be being breastfed. I saw that clip on youtube with the one lady who was breastfeeding the 8 year old girl. how totally f**cked up! those little girls will need mental help eventually.