Waiting until the last minute to do your holiday shopping can be stressful. Plus, you’ll likely end up paying inflated prices on items like toys or gift sets.
Getting your shopping started early is the perfect way to save, take the time to find meaningful gifts, and make the holidays less stressful. Read on for a few ways to save money by holiday shopping early!
Budgeting and Saving
Did you know that people spend a little under $900 on holiday gifts on average? For many, the holidays translate into increased spending between gifts, decorations, travel, and food.
Getting started early with your shopping means you have the time to establish a budget. You can project your income over the next few months and determine how much you can afford to put aside for your holiday shopping on a weekly or monthly basis.
Shop for These Products Categories Early
For retailers, sales are a way to make room for new inventory. You’ll often see new items on clearance or store-wide sales at the end of the summer or after the back-to-school shopping season ends.
Many of these discounted items can make great holiday gifts. For instance, you can typically find discounted clothes and accessories at the end of the fall to make room for a winter collection.
Some stores also have sales on sports gear, furniture, or home decor items. As summer comes to an end, you should be able to find deals on fun items like ice cream makers, water bottles, or even Bluetooth speakers.
Check the Clearance Section
You never know what you’ll find in the clearance section. Get into the habit of checking this aisle every time you grocery shop.
You can sometimes find toys, accessories, home decor items, and even fun kitchen gadgets. The clearance section is a great way to stock up on original white elephant gifts on a budget. And if you have some pop culture-obsessed friends or relatives, check out the clearance section in the Fall since you’ll often find leftover merch from this year’s summer blockbuster.
Check out the clearance section directly after the holiday to find great deals on ornaments, wrapping paper, and other items you can use next year.
Shop Black Friday or Cyber Monday Deals
In 2021, shoppers spent close to $9 billion on Black Friday deals. This event is the perfect occasion to score some holiday gifts on a budget.
Between crowded stores and limited-time deals, shopping on Black Friday can feel overwhelming. It’s best to look for bargains in advance, budget, and stick to online shopping to avoid crowds.
Retailers typically release their ads early in November. Shopping on Black Friday is a great way to find deals on tech products, video games, or beauty items, but you can find deals in virtually any product category.
Thrifting and Second-Hand Gifts
There are over 25,000 thrift stores in the U.S. Between clothes, handbags, jewelry, toys, and even decor items. You can find some unique holiday gifts at your local thrift store. Plus, second-hand items can help reduce your environmental footprint.
Thrift stores get new items every week. The key is to come back often and take the time to browse to find the best deals. If there are no thrift stores in your area, you can shop for second-hand items online on sites like eBay or Mercari.
Check Out Outlet Malls
Outlet malls typically offer discounted items once a retailer replaces an old collection with a new one. You can find clothes, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, and many other fashion items at outlet malls. Some retailers also have outlets where they resell returns or open-box products.
If there are no outlet malls in your area, consider planning a road trip so you can visit a nearby outlet mall and do most of your holiday shopping there. The Simon Premium Outlet chain has several locations where you can find discounted items from major brands like Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Pandora, and more.
Some retailers also have online outlets, including Amazon, Nordstrom, or the Best Buy Outlet.
Take Advantage of Coupons, Cashback, and Other Incentives
Shopping early means you have time to research different ways of saving:
- Manufacturer or store coupons can help you get a deal on items like small kitchen appliances, clothes, or toys.
- You can sometimes find gift cards at a discounted price or get a deal when purchasing several gift cards.
- Some stores have loyalty programs. You can earn some points by doing most of your holiday shopping there.
- Most credit card companies, banks, and credit unions have special offers where you can earn additional cashback with some retailers.
Final Thoughts
These different tips will help you save on your holiday shopping this year. While Black Friday should be the best way to find discounts, you can save during the months that precede the holidays by browsing for deals, checking the clearance section, or taking advantage of cashback and other incentives.