Editor’s note: Sara Skirboll is the Shopping & Trends Expert at RetailMeNot.
’Tis the season for shopping madness! With Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, it’s time to start knocking out those holiday lists and scoring deals while you’re at it.
Because holiday shopping can be exhausting and—depending on your gift lists—expensive, my advice is to plan and research in advance. You need to know where to find the items on your wish list, and which retailers have the best prices. With all the shopping and saving hoopla surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it can be tricky to determine what’s actually a good deal, and what’s a dud. Leveraging RetailMeNot’s trove of offer data, I’m able to confidently say the items below are getting some of the biggest and best discounts this month.
Cookware Deals Are Heating Up
Holiday gatherings are nigh, and the last thing you want is the family over on Thanksgiving only to realize you don’t have the right pots and pans for your gravy, stuffing and turkey. Know that the sales leading up to Cyber Week will offer the deepest discounts on cookware, so stock up at stores that traditionally offer cozy sales, such as Macy’s and Kohl’s.
DNA Tests Are Heavily Discounted
If you’ve been curious about trying genealogy services like 23andMe and Ancestry.com, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the time to take the plunge. Both services typically provide tests at their lowest price point of the year during this time, so buy one for yourself and as gifts for your relatives and friends. You can all compare when you get your results.
Winter Clothing Is Bundled With Discounts
A new season calls for a new wardrobe as temperatures continue to drop. If you waited to grab that new coat or pair of gloves, you’re in luck. During November, you’ll find deep discounts on winter clothing, shoes and accessories, particularly during the 10 days leading up to Cyber Monday.
Beauty Products Are Rocking Pretty Prices
The cooler weather isn’t just grounds for a new wardrobe; it also calls for a full beauty revamp. Beauty discounts are plentiful this month because stores are making room for new holiday sets and seasonal product launches. Be on the lookout for beautiful deals at cosmetic favorites like Sephora, Ulta and Urban Decay during Cyber Monday.
Electronics Deals Are All the Buzz
If you’re not too full of turkey on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23, let the Black Friday craziness commence as early as you can! This shopping holiday always comes bearing great discounts on electronics. In fact, it’s the one time of the year that Apple hosts a sale. From TV sets and cameras to laptops and tablets, use Black Friday as a way to get decked with the latest tech at a discount.
A few more tips to keep your holiday shopping and spending in check this month: Follow your favorite retailers on social media for deals, always keep return policies in mind and, if possible, leave the kids at home to avoid unnecessary spending. Happy shopping and saving!
Head to RetailMeNot for more Black Friday deals: https://www.retailmenot.com/holidays/black-friday
