These Are the Best Days to Shop for Toys, Clothing, TVs, Laptops, and Other Christmas Gifts
Did you miss out on some of the Cyber Monday deals you wanted? Not to worry. December offers several prime days for scoring deals on all kinds of merchandise.
Kyle James, founder of coupon and deal-hunting blog Rather-Be-Shopping, combed through eight years of data he's collected on the kinds of deals and coupons made available by popular retailers during the holiday season to figure out the best times to add certain items to your online shopping cart.
Use the guide below to schedule your holiday shopping to maximize your savings.
Toys: Dec. 16
Expect top discounts at sites like Toys R Us, Target, Amazon and Walmart, as retailers move into "crunch time" and try to cash in on last-minute shoppers. But, warns James, if your kids are after "hot ticket" items—anything Star Wars related, say—don't wait. Just grab them when you spot them.
Clothes and Shoes: Dec. 18
James says this is the second best day, after Cyber Monday, to snag deals for your family's wardrobe. The reason: It's free shipping day, when hundreds of online retailers offer shipping and guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve at no extra charge. Many shops, like Macy's, Gap, and American Eagle, will roll out additional coupon codes you can layer on top of the free shipping offer for a double discount.
High-definition TVs: Dec. 11-13
For the past five years, weekend deals two weeks before Christmas from major retailers like BestBuy, Costco, and Walmart have been the best bet for scoring as much as 40% off, finds James.
Tools and Hardware: Dec. 16
Save up to 30% off tools for the handy man or woman in your family by waiting until the Wednesday before Christmas.
Laptop Computers: Dec. 15
The past two years, both Dell and HP have rolled out top online coupons on this day. James points to a $500 discount shoppers could nab on an Inspiron 15 laptop last year. He says Costco is another retailer you'll want to check out for low laptop prices.
PS4 and XBox One Game Systems: Dec. 14-17
Game lovers should shop in this window. James found that for the past eight years, deals like 35% off new games and 60% off older titles could be found from GameStop, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and NewEgg.com.
Jewelry and Wedding Bands: Dec. 4-25
Some jewelers freeze prices in the weeks leading up to Christmas, James found, so if you're considering springing for a wedding band or other forms of bling, shop before the holiday ends. After that, prices are adjusted to reflect the going-rate of silver and gold.
Fitness Gear: Dec. 10
Last year, Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods, Modell's, and Big 5 Sporting Goods all rolled out their top coupons on this day, James found. He adds that many athletic retailers will be participating in free shipping day offers, so if you don't get the deal you wanted on this day, try the 18th.
Kitchen Gadgets: Dec. 18
Looking for deals on cookware, dining sets, kitchen gear, or cute decor? Shop on free shipping day. Retailers like Pfaltzgraff, Belk, Mikasa, Brookstone, Lenox, and Chefs Corner Store will be participating—and you can be confident that it'll arrive before Christmas.