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

Black Friday is nearly upon us, and retailers are cutting prices left, right and centre as the Christmas shopping season kicks off in full swing. Twenty years ago, it would have been a challenge to find anyone in the UK familiar with this American shopping event - now, it's an integral part of our festive season.

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 introduction of Black Friday to the UK has turned it into one of the most hectic shopping days of the year. In the 2010s, it was synonymous with chaotic scrambles through supermarkets and shoppers loading up trolleys with half-price TVs.

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These days, it's predominantly an online event, with many retailers extending their offers over a week or more of sales. Boxing Day used to be the main sales event of the year here, but it's being eclipsed by this relatively new American import.

It's easy to get swept up in the thrill and allure of limited-time deals, but it's crucial to take a step back and do your own research before entering your card details. Consumer group Which? has cautioned that many of the big deals you come across may not offer as much savings as you think.

In a study analysing last year's Black Friday events at eight major retailers, consumer watchdog Which? discovered that 90 per cent of Black Friday deals were either the same price or cheaper at other times throughout the year. In some instances, retailers were found to be advertising "original" prices that were higher than they had ever been listed on their website, in an attempt to make the discounts appear more substantial.

There were also indications last year that the popularity of Black Friday was beginning to wane as financial pressures on households increased due to rising living costs and inflation in the UK. Every year, Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert advises consumers not to get swept up in the "hype", and to carefully consider whether they both need and can afford what they are planning to purchase.

Nevertheless, having all these sales events occurring at the same time can be be a good thing, and if you're willing to invest the time, you might just find a bargain 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.