Have your say! Do you save your Christmas shopping until Black Friday?

Black Friday is fast approaching, and with retailers slashing prices left, right and centre, the Christmas shopping season is well and truly underway. A mere twenty years ago, the American shopping extravaganza was virtually unheard of in the UK, but it has since become a cornerstone of our festive calendar.

Have your say! Are you looking forward to browsing on Black Friday? Have you already picked something up from a sales event? Has it been a good addition to the festive calendar? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

The advent of Black Friday in the UK has transformed it into one of the most frenzied shopping days on the calendar. In the 2010s, it was synonymous with chaotic supermarket stampedes and trolleys overflowing with half-price televisions.

READ MORE: Have your say! Should Keir Starmer call a general election?

READ MORE: Live M11 traffic updates today as lorry fire leaves motorway closed in Cambridgeshire

These days, however, it's predominantly an online event, with many retailers extending their deals over a week or even longer. The traditional Boxing Day sales are increasingly being eclipsed by this relatively recent American import.

While it's easy to get swept up in the thrill of limited-time offers, it's crucial to take a step back and do your homework before entering your card details. Consumer watchdog Which? has cautioned that many of the so-called 'big deals' may not offer as much value for money as they appear to.

Which? has uncovered that during last year's Black Friday sales, a staggering 90% of deals at eight leading retailers were either the same price or could be found cheaper at other times of the year. The consumer group also highlighted instances where retailers inflated the "original" prices to exaggerate the perceived savings.

Moreover, there was evidence to suggest that the Black Friday frenzy might be losing steam as household budgets feel the pinch from rising living costs and inflation in the UK. Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert consistently cautions shoppers against getting swept away by the "hype", urging them to reflect on the necessity and affordability of their potential purchases.

Still, it's useful to have all of these sales events running at the same time, and if you can put the time in, you can snag a deal at the right price for you.

Have your say! Are you looking forward to browsing on Black Friday? Have you already picked something up from a sales event? Has it been a good addition to the festive calendar? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.