Black Friday Scrapbook Shopping Preview
It's almost here...the most wonderful day of the (shopping) year: Black Friday!
Feeling overwhelmed by all the sales? Haven't had a chance to check out Scrapbook Update's Black Friday Sales Sneak Peek Page? Well, never fear...I'm here to give you the shortcut primer on what the best deals are!
All the various chain stores are offering similar deals for coupons for percentage off total purchase, many of which can be stacked on top of sale prices (with the typical product and brand exclusions that are always on the chain coupons). Which one is most appealing really depends on who sells the product lines that you want.
Let's start out with the big ticket items...
Die Cut Machines
Perhaps the most massive deal of Black Friday has to be the Cricut Imagine machine for $187 with two cartridges at Walmart (sale starts 10pm Thanksgiving night). Considering the machine originally retailed for $599, and is currently going for $429 on Amazon, that's a real steal if you want cut and print capability.
If all you want is cutting capability, you have plenty of sale options to choose from. For 12" cutting width, the best value is the Cricut Expression 2 at AC Moore for $168.88. It's a doorbuster starting from 5am-Noon on Friday, while supplies last, so you have to get there early, though. No sleeping in if you want to snag that one!
Since AC Moore is regional, you might not have one near you. In that case, you have two competing values for 12" die cutting. Michaels has a limited edition Cricut Expression 2 with 4 cartridges for $199 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Or a second option is available at Joann's - a Cricut Expression for $159.99 that is a doorbuster (meaning while supplies last) on Friday.
If you don't feel like going out or miss out on one of the deals, Amazon is currently selling the Cricut Expression for $199 and the Cricut Expression 2 for $289.99.
For those who are just looking to experiment with electronic die cutting but don't want to make a huge financial commitment yet, Michael's has the perfect deal: a 6" Cricut V1 machine for $69.99 as a doorbuster on Friday. I bought this machine when they ran this deal for the first time a few years ago and it has served me well as a very basic, practical machine. It cuts the occasional shape or title for me just fine.
Don't need an upgrade to your machine? There are deals to be had on Cricut cartridges almost everywhere. Michaels, Joann's and AC Moore are all running cartridge deals from $27-$29, and Joann's is also running a $39.99 sale on cartridges with an $89.99 MSRP. All these deals are good on Friday, but some extend into the weekend as well. Shop early to get the best selection, though, especially if you are looking for popular cartridges. Which store is best for you will depend on cartridge selections being offered by the different stores and what you are looking for. You'll have to check ads for specific selection and rely on your knowledge of what different stores usually carry that you want. But don't forget that the chain stores may be bringing in special cartridge inventory for the sale.
If a Cricut machine isn't for you but you want to get into electronic die cutting, the Sizzix Eclips Machine will be the discounted tool of the day at Scrapbook.com on Sunday.
There are good deals to be had as well on the manual die cut equipment. All of the major chains are running some kind of special on manual equipment:
- Sizzix Holiday Themed Dies - 75% off (Joann, Fri/Sat/Sun)
- Sizzix, Spellbinders, & Cuttlebug - 40% off (AC Moore)
- Sizzix & Cuttlebug - 40% off (Michaels, Thu/Fri/Sat)
- Sizzix Big Shot Machine
- $59.99 (Amazon - frequently out of stock so grab it when you see it is available!)
- Tim Holtz Vagabond Machine - $189.99 (Scrapbook.com - Wednesday, with code VB23)
- Sizzix Vintaj Big Kick Machine - ??? (Scrapbook.com - Friday deal of the day)
Storage
Another item where the pricetag can add up fast is storage items. Black Friday can be a great day to buy those if you know what you want.
Michaels is just putting it all on sale - their scrapbook storage is on sale 50% off all weekend. Jetmax Storage is all on sale at AC Moore for 50% off if you are a fan of that system (or want to start one) and have a store near you. Joann's has some great prices on individual items - like a 10 drawer rolling cart, craft cart, or scrapbooking cart for $34.99 that MSRP for $89.99. The rolling cart in my kitchen scrap space was purchased there last year on a similar Black Friday special.
Other good organizing deals:
- Ribbon Organizing Ladder - $9.99 (Joann, Sat Doorbuster)
- Iris Handy Scrapbook Carrier - $9.99 (Joann, Fri Doorbuster)
- Large Scrapbook Boxes - 3 for $10 (AC Moore)
- Wicker Baskets & Decorative Storage - 40% off (AC Moore)
- Photo Boxes - 3 for $5 (Michaels, Thu/Fri/Sat)
- Iris 12x12 Scrapbook Case - $2.99 (Michaels, Sat Doorbuster)
- Baskets - 40% off (Michaels, Thurs/Fri/Sat)
Have a Clip It Up you want to expand, or do you covet one? ClipItUp.com is running a special on their products for 50% off all this week.
Supplies
For those who don't want to leave home, Scrapbook.com is offering specials (one tool and one brand) each day from Wednesday through Monday. They are kicking off today (Wednesday) with two very popular items - the Tim Holtz Vagabond machine is only $189.99 with coupon code VB23 and Basic Grey's product lines are 20% off. Thursday promises to be another popular day when everything We R Memory Keepers will be on sale and the Cinch will be the discounted tool of the day. For full details on all the days of the Scrapbook.com sale, visit our Black Friday Sale Page.
Two Peas In A Bucket is keeping it simple - they are offering 20% off of all of their non-digital, non-clearance products from Thursday through Monday. Simon Says Stamp has a selection of products on sale for Black Friday. That sale is already in progress.
Here's a few of the better deals on basic supplies and embellishments to be had at the chain stores:
- Scotch ATG Tape Glider - $19.99 (Michael's, Thu/Fri/Sat)
- Strathmore Artist Pads - Buy One Get One Free (Michael's, Thu/Fri/Sat)
- Fiskars 12" Paper Trimmer - $5 (AC Moore, Fri/Sat Doorbuster )
- Organdy Ribbon Spools - 4 for $5 (Joann, Fri/Sat/Sun)
This is just a sampling...to get all the details check out our interactive Black Friday Scrapbook Sale page!
