Best Things To Buy In December
With the holiday season now in full swing, almost everyone has a christmas list of people to buy for. Saving money during this time of year may seem impossible, but I’m here to tell you that it’s not. It’s all about timing and educating yourself on when is the best time to buy certain items. With that being said, I’ve composed a list of the best things to buy in December to help you make the most of your hard earned money and get the best deals possible!
So, without further adieu, here are the best (and worst) things to buy in the month of December.
Also, checkout The Best Things To Buy In November.
**Tip** Don’t forget to use Rakuten to save even more when you’re shopping online. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can use this link to get started!
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The Best Things To Buy In December
Toys
The demand for toys is usually at it’s highest in December, but the good news is that retailers will be getting anxious to rid their shelves of holiday stock by the end of the year. That means prices are going to drop early to mid December, so start looking for some fantastic deals! If you’re searching for a super hot toy, chances are that you may not see a price reduction on it, but you should be able to find tons of other discounted options to be had.
Holiday Decorations
As with any holiday, the best deals on decor come immediately after the holiday season is over. In the last week of the month, you’ll be able to find all the supplies you need to deck your halls next year at a fraction of the usual price. Hobby Lobby will discount their holiday decor 75-90% the day after Christmas, so be sure to write down what you’d like to add to your decor stash and grab it for next year!
Fall clothing
Cold weather is beginning to blanket a lot of the country right now, so retailers are putting out their winter clothing inventory. You probably won’t find deep discounts on coats, sweaters or boots, but you can score some great prices on Fall clothing, such as sweaters, long sleeve shirts & light coats . This will be a great opportunity to stock up on apparel that you’ll need for next year. Again, the day AFTER Christmas will yield a tremendous savings and you’ll probably still have plenty to choose from.
Wedding Dresses
By December, wedding season has long passed and the new season won’t start gearing up until early spring. That’s why December is the perfect month to scour the bridal stores for great deals on wedding dresses. You can potentially score fabulous deals on designer dresses because retailers are extremely anxious to clear out this past year’s inventory and make room for the upcoming season.
Gift cards
I never really knew this until now, but December is a fantastic time to buy gift cards! Many retailers, including Amazon, will discount many cards up to 20%
Also, be sure to check out your favorite restaurants. Often these businesses will offer bonus cards with select purchases of gift cards during December. It’s a type of “buy one, give one” promotion. You can either give the extra one as a gift or keep it for yourself. Either way is a win-win!
Kitchen items
We all know that December is the month that most of us will be cooking & baking up a storm. If you’re in need of kitchen utensils, bakeware & high quality knives, most will be at their lowest prices, this year. If you’re needing them for yourself or for gifts for the aspiring cook, you can snag some fantastic deals!
Power tools
If you’re looking to score some great deals on tools, December is the time to do it! Tool sets, drill sets, wrenches, saws & much more are still available at low prices, even after Black Friday, but I wouldn’t wait too much longer. With super low prices on these items, you can be sure they’re going to go, fast!
So, if you’re looking for a great gift for the men in your life, head over to Home Depot, Lowes or any other home improvement store within the first couple of weeks in December.
Champagne
Champagne is the most common celebratory drink for special occasions and it’s an even hotter commodity around the holiday season. Did you know that over 20% of champagne sales in the US are in December?? Even though demand is high, stores will discount the ol’ bubbly deeply in hopes of you grabbing a few other bottles of your favorite adult beverages. Smart…right?? You’ll only save big if you can resist temptation and just come out with what you originally went in for…Champagne!
In season produce
Don’t let the cold temperatures fool you! December is a great time to buy so many different kinds of fruits & vegetables. Look for great sales on: cabbage, carrots, onions, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, beets, turnips, winter squash and radishes. Also check out seasonal fruits, like oranges, limes, lemons, pears, tangerines & grapefruit.
You can also check out this Seasonal Food Guide to see everything that’s in season in your area.
Golf clubs
New golf clubs are released every year, but if you have someone on your list who doesn’t care that the clubs are last season’s model then December is a great time to snag some good quality golf clubs to place under the Christmas tree.
What not to buy in December
Exercise equipment & gym memberships
Good deals will be hard to come by in December, but in January, when everyone is preparing to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions, gyms will be trying to lure you in with substantial discounts for the new year. That also means deals on just about every type of exercise equipment from treadmills to ellipticals.
Winter gear
Luggage
The best luggage deals are said to be found in March, after the holiday rush but before summer travelers start buying the new inventory.
Electronics
If you missed electronics deals on Black Friday, wait until after the Consumer Electronics Show in January. That’s when the new year’s models arrive and last year’s models get cheaper.
Jewelry
December is not the time to buy jewelry if you’re on a budget or wanting to save money. Jewelers know this is a prime time to raise their prices because of desperate shoppers. If you’re looking for a much better deal on jewelry, it’s best to wait for Valentines day or Mother’s Day sales.
Linens & bedding
Linens & bedding aren’t high on many gift-shopping lists, so they typically don’t go on sale during the holiday season. Keep an eye out in January for annual white sales at many major department stores.
Only buy if you’re already in the market…
I’m not saying to rush out and spend money on these things because they may be on sale, but if you’re in the market for some of these items or you know you may be needing them next season anyway, now is a good time to purchase them at a discounted price and save some money.
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