Royal Doulton Mugs & Mules

OK, Black Friday is still a bit of a ways off, but that doesn't mean you couldn't benefit from a little pre-shopping strategizing in advance. Going into the biggest shopping day of the year without a plan isn't just inefficient — it's downright crazy. There are so many opportunities to score big: everything from wedding accessories to honeymoon outfits to home goods for your new nest. If you want to get the most out of your Black Friday experience (clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty products...you get the picture) you should start taking notes — like, right now. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving (Turkey Day is Nov. 22 this year), but several shrewd brands have started offering discounts in the days leading up to the main event. Last year, many retailers rolled out discounts and promo codes at least two days early and several had reductions ready the week prior. That means you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for deals before Thanksgiving even arrives. Here's who served up serious discounts last year and who we're looking to score from again this time around. Don't forget to check back here for updates in the coming weeks.