Hi! My name is Witold (pronounced "vee-told") and I am the founder of BlackerFriday.com. After many years working in corporate america, I decided it was time to take a break to pursue my real passion — helping people save money. Ever since I was a little boy selling pencils in the playground to my kindergarden friends, later collecting aluminum cans from all my neighbors in elementary school to support my baseball card addiction, eventually becoming an eBay Power Seller in my older years to support my college education, I had an eye for spotting deals. I’ve taken what I have learned over the years and built Blacker Friday to bring you the best Black Friday rumors, predictions, and news website. Fortunately I'm not alone in this - We have a great team of dedicated folks helping make this site possible. If you would like to connect with me you can do so on my Linkedin page, on our site’s Facebook page, or write me an email. Thanks for checking us out and I look forward to hearing from you!
Updated on Wednesday, November 12, 2025: We are once again expecting Walmart to include the PlayStation 5 as a headline item in its main Black Friday 2025 sale. This means the console (Slim model, digital and/or with disc drive) will show up in bundles, with extra controllers or games mixed in. There will also be discounts on accessories (controllers, headsets, storage), and perhaps last-year or lightly older games thrown into bundles. Stock will be limited, especially for the best deals, so things may sell out fast.
Also, Walmart usually gives early access to Walmart+ members for some deals before the official start. That means if you are a member you’ll have a better shot at PS5 deals before the general public.
When the Sale Will Likely Happen
The online sale will probably begin Monday, November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time / 2:00 PM Pacific at walmart.com.
Walmart+ members will possibly get a head-start online at 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT that same day.
The in-store deals will likely begin on Friday, November 28, 2025.
The official ad (showing exact bundles, prices, etc.) should drop a few days before, likely Friday, November 21, 2025.
These dates are based on past patterns, including last year and announcements, so there may be small shifts, but this is a good guide.
Discount Levels to Expect
From what we saw last year and what industry watchers are saying, here are realistic discount ranges:
PS5 Slim (Disc Edition): Expect somewhere between $75-$100 off the regular price in a good bundle. In 2024, for example, Walmart had disc edition bundles dropped from about $499 to around $424 in some cases.
PS5 Digital Edition: Might drop more, since MSRP is lower. Last year the digital version in a Fortnite bundle was about $374 (roughly $75 off its standard bundle price).
Controllers: DualSense controllers tend to fall in price by $15-25 depending on color or edition.
Bundles with games: These can add value; if you buy a PS5 with a new, popular game, the bundle might cost more up front but you save compared to buying both separately. Might save $50-$80 in some bundles.
Accessories/headsets/storage: Discounts here can vary widely; sometimes 20-40% off, depending on how old or popular the item is.
Last Year’s Black Friday Ad
You’ll find a number of deals on accessories for your PS5 at Amazon’s Black Friday sale this year. It’s always worth comparing the sale prices you come across to those available right now at Amazon (note, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
PS5 gaming stations are locked in a glass display case at the Target store in Goleta, CA. Photo by Witold Sadowski.The latest PS5 games are displayed at the Target store in Goleta, CA. Photo by Witold Sadowski.
Questions & Comments
Already know which PS5 console/bundle you will be buying this holiday season? Or are you considering maybe getting a Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch instead? Let us know in the comments below.
Updated on Wednesday, November 12, 2025: Every year, Black Friday brings big travel deals, and Southwest Vacations’ sale is one of the ones always worth paying attention to. Their sale usually offers significant discounts on flight and hotel packages, which can make a real difference if you are planning a vacation. The deals are typically straightforward, and you can book directly on southwestvacations.com. If you are curious about what to expect this year, when the sale will happen, and what kind of savings you might see, here is a detailed breakdown.
Black Friday 2025 Sale Dates
Based on last year’s patterns and current predictions, Southwest Vacations’ Black Friday sale in 2025 is expected to start on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. That is about nine days before Thanksgiving. Unlike some sales that last just a weekend, this one typically runs for a few weeks. For 2025, the predicted end date is Monday, December 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM Central Time (that’s a week after Cyber Monday).
This longer sale period gives you time to browse different packages, compare destinations, and make a decision without feeling rushed. It also means you can plan for holiday trips or winter vacations, since many of the deals apply to travel dates throughout the next year.
How the Deals Usually Work
Southwest Vacations’ Black Friday sale focuses on flight and hotel packages. You book a package to any destination offered directly on their site and use a promo code for the discount. Last year, the promo code was BFDEAL500, which offered up to $500 off depending on the total package price. While the exact code for 2025 isn’t confirmed, it’s likely they will have something similar.
The discounts are tiered based on the package price, meaning the more expensive your vacation package, the bigger the savings. This makes it easier to see how much you can save and plan your budget accordingly.
Expected Discounts by Destination
Looking at last year’s sale, here’s how the discounts were structured.
Mexico and the Caribbean – For trips to Mexico or Caribbean destinations, last year’s sale offered:
$300 off packages priced between $500 and $999
$400 off packages priced between $1,000 and $1,499
$500 off packages priced at $1,500 or more
These deals applied to many popular destinations including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. The discounts are applied to the total package price, which can include flights, hotels, and sometimes extras like resort credits or activities.
Hawaii – For Hawaii, last year’s discounts were structured the same as Mexico and the Caribbean:
$300 off packages $500-$999
$400 off packages $1,000-$1,499
$500 off packages $1,500 or more
Hawaii packages usually include flights from various U.S. cities and hotel stays across islands such as Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. The savings can be especially helpful since flights to Hawaii tend to be more expensive.
U.S. Destinations – For domestic vacations within the United States, the discounts were slightly smaller:
$150 off packages $500-$999
$200 off packages $1,000-$1,499
$250 off packages $1,500 or more
Popular destinations often included cities like Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles. Even though the savings are smaller than international destinations, they still make a noticeable difference on mid-range or higher-priced packages.
What You Can Buy During the Sale
During the Black Friday sale, you can purchase packages that include both flights and hotels. The key advantage is that everything is booked together, so you don’t need to coordinate separate reservations. This makes it easier if you are planning a family vacation or a longer trip.
Last year, some examples of packages included:
A five-night stay in Cancun with flights from Dallas for about $1,200, which qualified for a $400 discount.
A seven-night stay in Maui with flights from Chicago for around $1,800, which got the full $500 off.
A three-night stay in Las Vegas with flights from Houston for $750, which came with a $150 discount.
Packages can vary depending on the departure city, travel dates, and hotel selection. You can usually choose between all-inclusive resorts, standard hotels, or boutique properties. Some packages even include perks like resort credits, early check-in, or free breakfast.
Travel Dates to Keep in Mind
The sale itself doesn’t limit your travel dates too much. Last year, packages were available for travel from late November through the following year. This makes it possible to book holiday travel, spring break trips, or even summer vacations well in advance.
Booking during the Black Friday sale is helpful if you want to lock in prices for peak travel periods, since flights and hotels often get more expensive closer to the dates.
Tips for Using the Sale Effectively
To get the most out of Southwest Vacations’ Black Friday sale, it helps to know a few things:
Check multiple destinations – Some places have bigger discounts than others. International packages often offer the highest dollar savings.
Use the promo code – The discounts usually require entering a promo code at checkout, so make sure it’s applied before booking.
Compare package sizes – Sometimes adding an extra night or choosing a slightly more expensive hotel increases your savings enough to make it worthwhile.
Plan your dates – Flexibility with travel dates can help you find the best deals, especially for popular destinations.
Book early for peak times – Even though the sale lasts a few weeks, packages for holidays or school breaks can sell out fast.
Last Year’s Black Friday Ad
Black Friday Ad History
Are you interested in seeing some of SouthWest’s older Black Friday ads? Then you’ve come to the right place! Follow the links below to view the last few years of ad history.
Updated on Wednesday, November 12, 2025: If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your hiking socks, merino base layers, or cold-weather essentials, Smartwool’s upcoming Black Friday sale is a good time to get an extra freebee with your purchase. Based on past years, here’s what you can expect this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, including the likely sale dates, the types of discounts we may see, and details about shipping and returns.
Black Friday 2025 Sale Dates
Smartwool is expected to begin their Black Friday 2025 sale on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. The event will likely end on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST, which is the day after Cyber Monday. That timeline matches how they’ve run the sale in the past, giving you nearly a full week to shop online.
It’s important to note that Smartwool’s Black Friday event is typically limited to their official website, smartwool.com. While you may find other retailers carrying Smartwool products, the specific promotions like free gifts with purchase are usually exclusive to their own site.
Typical Discounts & Offers
In previous years, Smartwool hasn’t gone for massive sitewide markdowns like some retailers. Instead, they usually combine moderate discounts with free gifts and perks like shipping and returns.
One of the main offers expected again in 2025 is a free pair of Holiday Cushion Crew Socks with any $99+ purchase. These special-edition socks are only available while supplies last and are limited to one gift per qualifying order. The minimum purchase amount is calculated before taxes and cannot be combined with other offers.
In addition to the gift, Smartwool often highlights their ongoing 20% off first online purchase promotion if you sign up for their email list. While not strictly a Black Friday deal, it’s worth trying if you haven’t joined yet.
Free Shipping & Returns
Like many brands, Smartwool promotes free shipping during Black Friday. According to last year’s official terms, free shipping applied to any order of at least one dollar. They offered both free 3-day and ground shipping, with delivery times of about three business days and five to seven business days, respectively. Although those timelines were not guaranteed, the perk of no minimum order threshold beyond one dollar made it easy to qualify.
Free returns are also part of the deal. Last year’s free returns were available only within the U.S.
Terms and Conditions to Know
Looking back at last year’s fine print gives a sense of what rules may apply again in 2025:
Free shipping required a minimum one-dollar purchase and was only available within the U.S.
Gift with purchase was limited to one per order and only available while supplies lasted.
Minimum order for the free socks was $99, calculated before taxes.
Promotions were not transferable and could not be combined with other offers.
Smartwool reserved the right to cancel orders due to errors in pricing or promotion setup.
It’s a good idea to double-check the official terms when the sale goes live, as details may shift slightly year to year.
Last Year’s Black Friday Ad
Black Friday Ad History
Are you interested in seeing some of Smartwool’s older Black Friday ads? Then you’ve come to the right place! Follow the links below to view the last few years of ad history.
