11 Days to Go

11 Days to Go: Black Friday Around the World

This post is coming a little later than usual, but for good reason — today in the U.S. is Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year! Stores roll out “doorbusters” — phenomenal deals if you’re there bright and early — plus buy-one-get-one offers, steep discounts, and sometimes even 40% off the entire store. It’s the official kickoff to our winter holiday season, and for me, it’s become more than just shopping.

A Mommy-Daughter Tradition

As my daughter has grown, Christmas shopping has gotten trickier. So we turned Black Friday into a mommy-daughter day. We shop for others, she points out things she loves, and we make memories along the way. This year, her friend joined us, and our day started at 5:45 a.m. By 6:15, we were at Starbucks, caffeinated and ready for the Mall of America — which, fun fact, is the largest mall in the U.S. and only twenty minutes from our home.

It was freezing — just 18°F — which got me wondering: how do other countries mark the start of their holiday season? Do they have Black Friday too, or do they lean into Christmas markets instead?

Black Friday Beyond the U.S.

A quick dive into Google showed me that Black Friday has spread far beyond American borders:

- United Kingdom – Adopted thanks to U.S. retailers like Amazon. Many compare the frenzy to Boxing Day sales.

- Australia – Celebrates the day after U.S. Thanksgiving, though recent investigations question whether discounts are truly genuine.

- Canada – Expanded Black Friday into Black November, stretching deals across the whole month.

- Brazil – Also embraces “Black November,” but shoppers remain cautious due to past scams. Trust and brand loyalty matter here.

- Germany – Hosts “Black Week,” leading up to Cyber Monday. Shoppers focus on quality over quantity, while Christmas markets remain the real seasonal highlight.

A Consumer Tradition

With U.S. sales projected at $11.5 billion, it’s clear we’re a consumer-driven culture. But beyond the numbers, Black Friday is about tradition, excitement, and how each country adapts it to their own rhythm.

Let’s Chat

Have you ever experienced a Black Friday abroad, or braved the Mall of America crowds? What makes Black Friday special for you — the old-school 3 a.m. lines and doorbusters, or today’s more relaxed online deals? Share your stories and preferences — I’d love to hear them.

And for those who shopped today, I hope it was joyful, safe, and maybe even magical.