Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: Best Time to Buy Custom Memorial Jewelry

If you're planning to buy custom memorial jewelry this holiday season, you've probably wondered: should I wait for Black Friday or hold out for Cyber Monday? Both sales events can offer meaningful savings on personalized pieces like photo pendants and memorial necklaces — but there are important differences between the two that can affect whether your order arrives in time for Christmas. Here's what you need to know before you shop.

What Is Custom Memorial Jewelry?

Custom memorial jewelry is personalized jewelry that honors a loved one who has passed. The most popular style is the memorial photo pendant — a necklace where a cherished photograph is engraved directly onto the piece. These are made to order, which means production and shipping time are important factors to consider when planning your purchase around holiday sales events.

Black Friday for Memorial Jewelry: Pros and Cons

Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving — typically in late November. Here's why it can be a great time to buy custom memorial jewelry:

Pros: Black Friday often offers some of the deepest discounts of the year. More importantly, ordering on Black Friday gives you more lead time before Christmas — typically 3–4 weeks, which is enough for most custom photo pendant orders to be produced and shipped. If you need a Custom Heart Photo Pendant or a Custom Angel Wing Photo Necklace to arrive before December 25th, Black Friday is the smarter window.

Cons: Retailers are flooded with orders on Black Friday weekend, which can extend production times. If you're ordering something as personal as a memorial necklace for mom, you want to be sure it arrives without stress.

Cyber Monday for Memorial Jewelry: Pros and Cons

Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving, just three days after Black Friday. It's focused on online shopping — which is exactly where custom jewelry brands like Engraved Anything operate.

Pros: Cyber Monday deals on personalized jewelry are often competitive, and online-first brands sometimes reserve their best offers for this day. If you missed Black Friday, Cyber Monday gives you a second chance at holiday pricing.

Cons: The biggest risk with Cyber Monday is timing. Ordering a custom memorial jewelry piece on Cyber Monday leaves roughly 3 weeks or less until Christmas. For made-to-order items like engraved pendants, that timeline is tight. You'll want to select the fastest available shipping option and confirm the store's production timeline before purchasing.

What About Shipping and Production Times?

Unlike off-the-shelf jewelry, custom memorial jewelry requires production time before it even ships. A personalized memorial pendant or a rotating double-sided medallion needs to be crafted to your specifications first. Factor in both production and delivery time when deciding when to order — and remember that holiday volume means both can take longer than usual.

A good rule of thumb: if you're ordering custom memorial jewelry for Christmas, Black Friday is safer. Cyber Monday is still possible if you act quickly and select expedited shipping.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a Memorial Pendant

Whether you shop Black Friday or Cyber Monday, here are a few strategies to make the most of holiday jewelry sales:

Sign up for email alerts from your favorite personalized jewelry brand before the sales begin — early access deals are common. Read the fine print on any discount code; some exclude certain products or collections. Choose your photo in advance so you can upload it and complete your order quickly once the sale goes live. And if you're buying a photo necklace for mom or a memory pendant for a grandfather, have the recipient's name or initials ready if the piece includes an engraving option.

Our Recommendation: Don't Wait Too Long

The honest answer is: Black Friday is the better window for ordering custom memorial jewelry if you need it by Christmas. Cyber Monday works — but only if you're organized and choose fast shipping. Either way, the worst outcome is waiting until mid-December, when production queues are at their longest and holiday stress is highest.

If you're ready to browse, Engraved Anything offers a beautiful range of memorial photo pendants and personalized necklaces crafted with care. Find the piece that honors your loved one — and order it while there's still time.