How To Get Holiday Discounts – 7 Ways 

Last year Americans spent $889.3 billion on holiday shopping, but that might change. With high inflation, global uncertainty, and talk of a looming recession, Santa’s belt needs tightening. 

But how can you save when the cost of living bites? Easy, get awesome gifts for less with the hottest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. 

Avoid busting your budget with these generous holiday discounts. 

Happy holidays!

7 Ways To Get Holiday Discounts

With our comprehensive overview of holiday discounts, you can get the hottest deals, saving you cash on each purchase. From Cyber Five deals to doorbusters and cash back apps, we’ve found the best ways to save precious dollars.

Bargain hunt warnings:

• Stick to your budget. 
• Not all sales are a bargain – check to make sure the sale price is actually lower than the normal price was before.
• Always check shipping prices. Sometimes a deal is not what it’s cracked up to be.

1 – Start Early With Doorbusters

A doorbuster is a deal so hot it makes people almost break the door down to get it. Luckily, these days you don’t need to wait in line in 35°F (2° C) temperatures before struggling through a stampede and laying your shivering hands on the last ceiling fan.

Most stores offer their in-store deals online, and they’ll often use the principle of scarcity to urge people to buy now. But if there’s a bargain to be had – like last year’s $99 deal on Chromebooks – don’t be surprised if the store’s website crashes on you.

When Do Doorbusters Start?

Usually, stores provide special “early access” holiday hours before Thanksgiving. And some retailers, like Amazon, Target, and Wayfair, have already started promotions, so keep an eye out.

How To Score The Best Doorbuster Deals?

Follow these steps:

1. Check first: window shop for items you want to get to check their current price.
2. Check social media for doorbuster deals; many retailers use YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for sales campaigns.
3. Sign up for email newsletters, so you don’t miss out.
4. Compare deals by checking out (online) ads.
5. Shop early; some sales have already started.
6. Order online or use curbside pick-up to avoid crowds.

2 – Look For Cyber Five Deals

Cyber Five or Cyber week refers to five major shopping days from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. 

Last year, Black Friday was the most popular shopping holiday, with 49% of US Shoppers opening their wallets.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanks to our national pastime of pie stuffing and family get-togethers, we tend to forget there are great promotions (some are called pre-Black Friday deals),

So when you’re recovering from your food coma, get bargains in these popular categories: 

• Electronics
• Furniture
• Toys

Black Friday 

Expect significant price cuts on big-ticket items:

• Apple devices
• Amazon devices
• Dyson vacuum cleaners
• Sony & Bose headphones

Black Friday is your biggest opportunity to tick off most of your list. Check out the hottest deals at nearly every store and brand, including Walmart, Amazon, Target, and Costco. 

Extended Sales

Looks for Black Friday sales to be extended to Saturday and Sunday. Also, Cyber Monday sales may start early. In general, these five days are important for retailers so they’ll be motivated to give consumers holiday discounts!

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving, where you can score the best online deals on electronics, appliances, and more.

I’m seeing holiday discounts on

• Apple Watches
• Nintendo Switch gaming bundles
• Televisions
• Laptops
• Instant Pot
• Toys
• Electric Razors
• Amazon Devices

Here are some additional deals to watch.

Tip: always check shipping costs to ensure you’re getting a bargain!

3 – Easy Holiday Savings With Cash Back Apps

Earn passive money while shopping for holiday gifts with cash back apps. Getting paid while you shop sounds almost too good, but if you look online, you can find apps that will give you cash back on groceries, fuel, and eating out. 

Take Drop – the app that awards you points for shopping. Turn your Drop points into gift cards at places like Amazon. 

To help you save more this holiday season, Drop has launched its Cyber 5 Campaign. From November 23 – 29, get 3,000 bonus Drop points when you shop any two brands through the app. 

With brands like Adidas, Amazon, Apple, Nike, Gamestop, Pandora, Sephora, and Walmart, you can find gifts for everyone.  

Also, the friendly folks at Drop will enter you for a chance to win 1,000,000 Drop Points. How’s that for a holiday bonanza?

Tip: Sign up for Drop now using code DROPPARTNER10 and get a $10 bonus once you earn your first 1,000 drop points!

4 – Restaurant Gift Cards That Give Back

Gift cards are a popular option with over 75% of US consumers planning to buy gift cards this season. This year get in on the act and buy promotional restaurant gift cards that give you free money when you purchase them during the holiday season.

Last year I saved money and enjoyed delicious desserts for months at Cheesecake Factory by loading up on gift cards that came with bonus Cheesecake dollars. So far this year, I purchased a $25 gift card at Carvel ice cream and got $5 free. OK, I admit it, I have a serious sweet tooth!

Try these three for the holidays:

• Applebee’s gives $10 for every $50 spent on gift cards: Holiday Bonus Gift Card Deal – Get $10 on $50 at Applebee’s® (applebees.com)

• Don’t miss T.G.I. Friday’s offer: get a $20 bonus bites card when you spend $50 on gift cards.

• Get a $5 reward card each time you buy a $25 gift card at Jamba Juice. 

5 – Sign Up For Email Newsletters

Discover special promotions and get early access to holiday discounts by signing up for email newsletters. 

If you suffer from holiday gift anxiety (it’s a thing), you might worry about what to give everyone on your ever-growing holiday list. If you sign-up early with your favorite brands, you’ll receive handy gift guides guaranteed to keep even your pickiest relatives happy. 

For instance, if you’re buying jewelry this holiday season, many sites offer a discount when you sign-up for their email newsletter.

I’m on the email newsletter lists of Bloomingdale’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Art.com, and more to get access to their discounts.

6 – Keep An Eye Out For Credit Card Discounts

Credit cards you already have may be offering you holiday discounts!

For instance, when I log into my American Express account I see:

When I sign into my Chase credit card account I see these holiday discounts:

If you trust yourself with credit, you might consider opening a new credit card to get a big cash back bonus for putting your holiday shopping on the card.

• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card runs a 0% intro APR for 15 months plus a bonus of $200 cash once you spend $500 within three months from opening – perfect for your holiday shopping. 
• Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card: $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Citi Custom Cash Card: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. 

Tip: Always compare all credit card offers and read the fine print before signing up for a new credit card.

7 – Countdown To Christmas Sales 

If you belong to the 65% of shoppers who like to procrastinate, you can wait until the Countdown to Christmas Sales when retailers run more promotions.

Last year, Puma ran a last-minute Christmas promotion, with free overnight shipping, for gift shoppers in a panic. West Elm celebrated the Christmas season with 24 deals, and Mulberry’s counted 12 Days of Christmas off on Instagram.

Tip: Always check delivery times to avoid disappointment.

Commonly Asked Questions About Holiday Discounts

How Can I Get Discounts On Holidays? 

The best approach to getting holiday discounts is to follow retailers on social media and sign up for their newsletters. 

This way, you’ll be informed of all holiday deals and won’t miss out. 

How Can I Get Big Discounts? 

1. Start early.
2. Sign up for retailers’ email newsletters now, check Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, download cash back apps, and download the Drop app for even more cashback and their Cyber 5 Campaign.
3. Avoid dynamic pricing by clearing cookies and switching to incognito mode before you order.

How Long Do Black Friday Sales Last? 

Black Friday sales last just one day or through Cyber Monday, which is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. It’s up to the store or brand that is running the sale!

What Is Cyber Five? 

Cyber Five spans five significant shopping days: US Thanksgiving Day through  Cyber Monday. Get the best holiday discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Expect promotions on food, electronics, furniture, and digital subscriptions.

What Is Cyber Week?

Cyber Week is the best week to get holiday discounts. It runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. You’ll find sales on everything from electronics to furniture to food.