Our resident fashion and shopping expert, Jill Zarin, talks holiday shopping before Black Friday.

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Essential Editor: The holidays are approaching! When do you begin your decorating? How do you decorate?

Jill Zarin: I start thinking about decorating as soon as we close our pool and put the outdoor furniture away! When the leaves start changing and I find myself looking for a winter coat; when I hear the first Christmas song in a store while shopping, which nowadays happens even before Halloween. I think it’s alright to prepare earlier than usual this year, since the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah actually begins on Thanksgiving on year, which won't happen again for about another 400 years! For the first time in my holiday decorating, I am ordering clear decorative string lights to decorate the trees outside, like these. We have never spent a winter in the Hamptons, but this year we’re trying it out! We will be spending Thanksgiving and part of December in Southampton and I want to make it as festive as possible.

I am not very handy so I ask Bobby to do the outdoor work, like putting up the lights and decorating. I like to stay indoors to do the holiday cooking and indoor decorating.

EE: Black Friday is the first day of decorating for some people, and the first day of shopping for even more. Have you participated in the in-store madness?

JZ: I have to say, I am addicted to online shopping. I have already starting shopping for gifts and packages are already starting to arrive at my doorstep. I love placing orders online during the Black Friday sales and hope to save some money on presents that family members have asked for. I have always thought about going at 5 a.m. to shop in-store on Black Friday, but still haven't had the courage to fight my way through the crowds and wait in line—that’s why I love online shopping. NO LINES! And you can backorder something if it sells out! Rakuten.com Shopping will be kicking off their deals at midnight on Thanksgiving.

EE: Rakuten.com Shopping always goes big with Black Friday and Cyber Monday door busters, and keeps the deals coming throughout December. In your opinion, what are the best items to purchase in flash sales online?

JZ: I find that electronics are usually the best items in a flash sale. Lots of toys for the kids and new computers, cameras and TV's are usually the best priced on the big shopping days. Though I will say that even though people think Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year and the best sales, I also find that this is just the very start of the holiday deal season and the closer you get to December 25th, the prices go even lower. It’s a toss-up—you may find a better deal if you wait, but the item also might sell out! I would rather buy it now between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, than wait and have anxiety to save only a few more dollars, which will likely go to expedited shipping anyway!

EE: What's your favorite item on Rakuten.com Shopping, which you might put in your cart even if it's not on sale?

JZ: I’m in desperate need of a new printer; mine has been broken for too long. The HP Envy 4500 Inkjet Multifunction printer looks really nice and has some good reviews. Everyone needs to have a printer in their homes—especially when it can be shipped straight to your door, and may be on a flash sale.

EE: What's your favorite thing about online shopping?

JZ: First, convenience. Second, the ability to compare prices and not be pressured into buying anything right away.

EE: Have you made a 2013 gift list yet; and can you hint at your go-to gift for the season?

JZ: It’s hard to say since everyone has such different taste, but I would say that the iPhone Mophie case is a great go-to gift for anyone. I absolutely love mine!

EE: Can you share with the other parents, what's your daughter been asking for this year?

JZ: As most parents know, as our kids get older, it gets harder and harder to shop for them. Ally and I tend to share a lot of clothing, so when shopping for her I always pick what I want to buy myself knowing that she will want to borrow it from me anyway. I'm definitely going to get Ally something in the electronics department this year, perhaps a Go-Pro?

EE: And what's on YOUR wish list?

JZ: What I really want is to have a happy holiday season with my family and friends. With Ally away at school, I especially look forward to spending time with her while she’s home visiting. But from Rakuten.com, my personal picks for myself would be the wine enthusiast compact cellar cube wine rack, the HP Envy 4500 Inkjet Multifunction printer, and the Canon EOS Rebel T3 SLR Camera. Side note: I hope my family is reading this!

EE: What’s your take on gifts for dogs?

JZ: Of course, the holiday season is about giving to the ones you love and Ginger is just as much a part of my family as anyone else. I can always count on her to be my snuggle buddy and she deserves more yummy treats or a new toy this year.

EE: The goal for holiday shopping is no returns but just in case, Rakuten.com Shopping makes returns easy. What's something that's always the right size and color?

JZ: Electronics and books are the safest presents to give someone. No sizes , no surprises...and re-gifting is easy, just in case!

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Stay tuned for more from Jill Zarin throughout the fall on Essential. Check out more hot Black Friday deals here: http://www.rakuten.com/loc/black-friday-kickoff/78932.html