How to Get the Best Deals This Holiday Season: Best-Kept Secrets for Savvy Shoppers
The holiday season is known for joy, family, and celebration—but let’s not forget about the shopping. Whether you're buying for loved ones, yourself, or preparing for the new year, finding the best deals is always top of mind. But, navigating the crowded aisles (and crowded websites) can feel overwhelming. How can you stretch your holiday shopping budget without sacrificing quality or skipping on thoughtful gifts?
We’re here to share some insider secrets that will help you snag amazing deals this holiday season. These strategies will ensure that you make smart purchases, find discounts that others might miss, and avoid overspending in the frenzy of festive shopping.
1. Start Early—But Not Too Early
It’s tempting to dive into holiday shopping as soon as the leaves start falling, but the key to getting the best deals is knowing when to buy. While you can find early deals in October and November, the best discounts typically occur right after Thanksgiving during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the following holiday sales events.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on specific product categories. For example, electronics tend to see significant price drops in the week leading up to Black Friday, while clothing sales peak in December as retailers try to clear out their seasonal inventory.
Early-Bird Strategy:
- Sign up for email newsletters from your favorite retailers. Often, they offer exclusive early access or first dibs on Black Friday deals.
- Use price trackers: Apps like Honey, CamelCamelCamel, or PriceBlink can help you monitor when prices drop on items you’re eyeing, alerting you when it’s time to pull the trigger.
2. Leverage Secret Holiday Sales and Discounts
While the big, obvious sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday get all the attention, there are often hidden deals to be found at lesser-known sales events that happen all throughout the holiday season.
Key Sales to Watch for:
- Pre-Black Friday Sales: Some retailers launch deals weeks before Black Friday, so keep an eye out for early promotions.
- 12 Days of Christmas Deals: Certain stores, especially online ones, offer daily deals or “flash sales” leading up to Christmas. Retailers like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy are great examples of stores that run limited-time deals.
- Green Monday (Second Monday in December): This is the day when online retailers, particularly Amazon, have another round of sales, especially for last-minute shoppers.
- Boxing Day Sales (December 26): If you can wait until after Christmas, many stores discount holiday merchandise even further.
3. Use Cash-Back and Reward Apps
There are several tools out there designed to help you earn cash back or rewards on your purchases. These apps give you a percentage of your purchase back when you buy from participating retailers.
Top Cash-Back Apps:
- Rakuten: Earn up to 40% cash back at over 2,500 stores by shopping through their platform. Plus, new members can earn a sign-up bonus!
- Ibotta: While often associated with grocery shopping, Ibotta also offers cash-back deals for online retailers. Scan your receipts for in-store deals or use their app to earn cash back online.
- Dosh: Link your credit/debit card and get automatic cash-back for purchases at hundreds of stores and restaurants.
- BeFrugal: Another cash-back site that guarantees some of the highest payouts for online shopping. They also offer exclusive coupons.
4. Use Price Match Guarantees
Many major retailers offer price match guarantees, which means they will match a competitor’s lower price if you find the same item at a better deal elsewhere. This is especially useful during the busy holiday shopping season when sales can fluctuate rapidly.
Top Retailers with Price Match Policies:
- Target: Will match the price if you find an identical item cheaper at select competitors, including Amazon.
- Best Buy: Offers a price match guarantee for identical items, both online and in-store.
- Walmart: Will price match select competitors, including major online retailers like Amazon.
- Home Depot: They will match local competitors, and in some cases, even give a 10% discount on the matched price.
Pro Tip: Make sure to keep an eye on competitor prices (including online stores) and have the proof ready (a screenshot or a printout) when you go to make your purchase.
5. Don’t Forget About “Doorbusters” and Flash Sales
If you enjoy the thrill of hunting for deals, doorbusters and flash sales are your best friends. These sales offer a limited number of items at rock-bottom prices, often for just a few hours. To get in on the action, you’ll need to act fast.
How to Maximize Doorbusters & Flash Sales:
- Check store apps and websites regularly for flash sales, especially early in the morning. Some retailers even release doorbuster deals the night before Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
- Set up alerts: Many apps allow you to set up alerts for specific products or categories. This ensures you’re notified as soon as a deal goes live.
- Shop online first: If you can, start by shopping online for doorbusters before heading to the store. Many doorbusters are available in both online and in-store formats but can sell out quickly.
6. Buy Gift Cards at a Discount
Buying gift cards can be a smart strategy to maximize savings during the holiday season. Some retailers offer discounted gift cards, especially leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and you can often find gift card bundles that include bonus gift cards or discounts on future purchases.
Where to Find Discounted Gift Cards:
- Raise.com: Buy discounted gift cards for popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Home Depot.
- Gift Card Granny: This site aggregates discounted gift cards from a variety of retailers and online stores.
- Sam's Club / Costco: Members often find discounted gift cards to big box retailers, restaurants, and travel companies, sometimes as much as 10-20% off.
Bonus Tip: If you’re purchasing a gift card for a specific store, pair it with a cash-back app for additional savings!
7. Shop Off-Season for Future Holidays
One of the best-kept secrets for scoring deals is shopping after the holiday season for next year. Many retailers drastically reduce prices on seasonal goods right after Christmas and New Year’s, including wrapping paper, decorations, clothing, and even holiday-themed gifts.
Post-Holiday Deals to Look For:
- Christmas decorations and wrapping supplies: Get a jump start on next year’s festivities by picking up wrapping paper, ornaments, and decorations for a fraction of the original price.
- Winter apparel: Stock up on scarves, gloves, and coats in January when stores mark down winter wear to make room for spring merchandise.
- Toys and gifts: Many toys and gadgets go on sale after the holidays, especially in the toy sections, which often clear out their inventory.
8. Know When to Use Coupons and Promo Codes
Retailers often release promo codes around the holidays, but knowing how and when to use them can help you maximize savings. Many coupon sites, like RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, and Honey, offer promo codes that can be applied to both online and in-store purchases.
Tips for Using Promo Codes:
- Stack coupons: Some stores allow you to stack a promo code with other discounts or sales (e.g., a 20% off coupon on top of a sale item).
- Look for free shipping: Many retailers offer free shipping during the holiday season, but you can also find free shipping codes on coupon sites.
- Sign up for rewards programs: Many stores reward loyal customers with exclusive access to coupons or extra discounts.
9. Make the Most of Return Policies
While it’s tempting to buy everything in one go, it’s always wise to consider the return policy when purchasing gifts. Some stores have extended return periods during the holidays, allowing you to shop with peace of mind.
Top Return Policies to Watch:
- Amazon: Usually offers extended return periods during the holiday season, making it easy to return unwanted gifts.
- Macy’s: Known for generous return windows, especially during the holidays.
- Nordstrom: No official return deadline (except for certain items), making it one of the best policies around.
Final Thoughts: Be Prepared, Shop Smart, and Save Big!
This holiday season, don’t get caught up in the rush. By planning ahead, leveraging price match guarantees, taking advantage of hidden sales, and using cash-back apps, you’ll be able to stretch your holiday shopping budget while still finding amazing gifts for everyone on your list.
Happy shopping, and may you snag the best deals this season!
