If you’re a savvy deal-seeker like us, you know that the game between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has only gotten more interesting over the years. In 2025, with so many shopping categories, figuring out which day is truly best for scoring deep discounts takes more than a quick glance at banner ads. At Giving Assistant, we live and breathe online deals and coupon codes—so we’ve analyzed consumer trends, platform-specific offers, and the nuances of each shopping category to help maximize your savings this holiday season. Here’s a data-backed, category-by-category guide, written from the perspective of fellow deal hunters who want every dollar to count.
Understanding Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: The Modern Shopper’s Dilemma
- Black Friday dominates in-store traffic and is often associated with the best deals on big-ticket, physical products.
- Cyber Monday is now the strongest day for online sales, known for digital exclusives and the most competitive site-wide discounts—with many brands launching their best promo codes and flash deals only on this day.
- Mobile shopping continues to rise, with over 50% of Cyber Monday purchases happening on mobile devices. If you shop this way often, don’t miss our guide: Mobile-First Shopping: How to Maximize Beauty, Nutrition, and Fashion Savings on Your Phone.
Category-by-Category: Which Day Wins in 2025?
Women’s Clothing
- Best Day: Cyber Monday
- Brands run larger, site-wide discounts (often 30%+ off) and stack free shipping or exclusive bundles only online.
- Expect deep offers from names like Chico’s Off The Rack and Lane Bryant—especially on new arrivals and end-of-season stock.
- Pro Tip: Check for stackable codes and short-term flash deals on Giving Assistant.
Skin Care & Beauty
- Best Day: Cyber Monday
- Skin care sets, makeup kits, and beauty bundles are regularly discounted 25-35% online.
- Many beauty shops offer sitewide codes exclusive to Cyber Monday, as well as value-added bundles that aren’t in physical stores.
- Online shoppers also benefit from special cashback rates, which makes this category a clear Monday winner.
- If you love stacking savings, see our blog: Coupon Stacking in 2025: Real-World Holiday Examples to Save 40%+ at Top Stores.
Specialty Clothing (Activewear, Maternity, Fitness)
- Best Day: Black Friday
- This is the time for “lowest price of the year” doorbusters—especially for items that need to be tried on, like gym wear and swimwear. Traditional stores outshine online sites in early-morning windows.
- Cyber Monday is a strong runner-up for online-exclusive boutiques or inventory clearances as brands look to clear out specialized stock.
- Mix it up: Buy in-store Friday for must-have fits, but watch Monday for online clearance.
Nutrition & Wellness
- Best Day: Black Friday
- Bulk deals on vitamins, protein powders, and supplements often reach 25-35% off in-store and online alike.
- Shoppers with big carts see the highest reward on Friday, but some brands extend their offers all weekend—don’t miss out by shopping only one day.
Beauty (Makeup, Fragrances, Haircare)
- Best Day: Cyber Monday
- Look out for exclusive online bundles, high-value virtual events, and sometimes the best cashback promotions (occasionally $10+ per order). Brands like Sephora and Milk Makeup offer special Cyber Monday codes, but you’ll usually need to act fast.
Travel & Hotels
- Best Day: Cyber Monday
- Cyber Monday means flash sales on hotels and travel sites (such as Hotels.com and Travelocity), often with rates up to 30% off and loyalty bonuses activated by promo codes found that Monday morning.
- Travel is one of the few areas where shopping online on Monday generally trumps in-person or phone deals found on Friday.
Shoes
- Best Day: Black Friday
- Major shoe brands roll out doorbuster sneaker, boot, and dress shoe offers during Black Friday—with reliable 15-30% off. For those willing to visit stores (or do curbside pickup), the deals are hard to beat.
- Cyber Monday then functions as the clearance round, great for snagging remaining inventory online.
- If footwear is your favorite score, you might like our take on affordable running shoes: 5 Best Running Shoes Under $100 from RunningWarehouse.
Gifts
- Best Day: Cyber Monday
- Personalized gifts, unique subscriptions, and e-gift bundles are largely discounted online on Monday. Traditional gift baskets and toys tend to see good deals both days, but savings peak Monday in most digital-first stores.
- Automated code application makes checkout even easier when you use Giving Assistant.
How to Maximize Holiday Savings on Giving Assistant
- Compare Codes Early: Watch for early Black Friday leaks and preview codes. On Giving Assistant, we track historic patterns so you can see which day has trended strongest for your favorite brand.
- Enable Deal Alerts: Sign up for notifications (email or browser) on your must-have categories. When a flash sale or an exclusive code drops, you’ll be among the first to know.
- Stack What You Can: Especially on Cyber Monday, look for sitewide codes, cashback, and exclusive Giving Assistant coupons. Stacking is often the secret to double-digit percentage savings.
- Shop Smart by Category: For big-ticket items, be ready early Black Friday. For digital goods, beauty, and apparel, many of the best prices go live only on Cyber Monday. Use wishlists and check back for surprise afternoon flash sales.
FAQs for Strategic Shoppers
- Can I combine Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?
- Yes, and you should! Many brands include weekend-long deals—but the best-of-the-best coupons, especially on Monday morning, can provide a final layer of savings. Make the most of your cart by checking codes before checkout.
- Is in-store shopping really better for some categories?
- Yes, especially for shoes, activewear, and any must-try or big-ticket items. You might see the highest single-transaction savings in physical locations on Black Friday morning.
- What’s the average deal by day?
- Historically, Black Friday averages 15–25% off (with occasional 40%+ doorbusters on key items). Cyber Monday brings 25–35%—especially for online exclusives in fashion, tech, and beauty.
Your 2025 Category-by-Category Strategy
Here’s the TL;DR for strategic deal seekers who want to truly maximize Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
- Shop Black Friday for: Shoes, specialty clothing, activewear, nutrition, and other big-ticket or fit-sensitive items—especially if you don’t mind visiting stores or using pickup.
- Prioritize Cyber Monday for: Fashion, women’s clothing, beauty, gifts, tech, travel, and anything best experienced online. Expect the year’s best stacking, flash events, and digital drops.
If you want to go deeper on coupon stacking, browser toolkits, or any specific niches like beauty, nutrition, or travel, be sure to browse our optimized guides and tips on the Giving Assistant blog.
With a smart, category-based approach, you can truly win both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you haven’t already, start exploring the latest codes and cashback deals at Giving Assistant. Our expert-curated collection of verified offers streamlines your holiday shopping so you can spend less and get more—without chasing expired codes or hidden restrictions. Happy deal hunting!
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