'Tis the season—for shopping, that is. According to the National Retail Federation, this holiday season is expected to be retailers' biggest windfall on record, with anticipated sales totaling between $717 billion to $720 billion, thanks to shoppers loading their carts with everything from gifts to home décor. And while it's only natural to spend at least some money during the holidays, there's no reason why shopping for the season has to mean draining your bank account.
So, where do smart shoppers stock up? Herein, we've rounded up some of the best stores where you can get all of your holiday shopping done on a budget. Happy (bargain) hunting.
1 | Nordstrom Rack
Shutterstock/Jonathan WeissNordstrom Rack has everything that you'd expect to find at your usual Nordstrom store, save for the insane prices. On any given day, you can pick up everything from discounted Tumi luggage to Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes at 50 percent off. And if you do plan on hitting up Nordstrom Rack for some of your holiday shopping this year, it pays to go in person—though many of the deals online are similar to those in store, Nordstrom Rack is famous for their one-cent deals, and things are more much likely to get heavily discounted in the store.
2 | Uniqlo
If there is someone on your shopping list with a penchant for all things modish, Uniqlo is the perfect place to pick up their presents. This Japanese brand is famous for their simple but stylish clothing items, and their prices are always on the right side of reasonable. (The most any one item might cost you is $130, and that's for a puffy winter coat.)
3 | Jet
This Walmart-owned e-commerce site offers many small but significant ways to save money on every single purchase you make, holiday shopping or otherwise. For instance, as you shop and add items to your cart, the site will alert you to other great buys that you can purchase in conjunction with the items you already have in your cart in order to lower your total price. And, if you're certain that you aren't going to return the item you're buying, then you can opt out of free returns and save additional money that way, as well.
4 | Cost Plus World Market
Though holiday markets with handcrafted items are fun and festive, the items that people sell tend to be accompanied by unreasonably high price tags. That's where Cost Plus World Market comes in. The store was founded back in 1958 for the very purpose of providing original items from around the world at amazing, affordable prices. Currently in the store's online gifts section, you'll find things like rose-shaped soap petals for $8 and a barbecue tool gift set for $40—and that's just scratching the surface of what this worldly store has to offer.
5 | Overstock
The folks over at e-commerce site Overstock are committed to doing everything they can to get you the best prices on all of your wants and needs. At any given time, you can easily find codes for additional savings on the store's already low prices—think Canon cameras for under $600 before applying additional discounts. And with a selection of goods that rivals superstores like Walmart and Best Buy, it's easy to see why Overstock is a go-to destination for discount shopping.
6 | Bed Bath & Beyond
ShutterstockThe next time you get one of those 20 percent off coupons in the mail from Bed Bath & Beyond, make sure you put it somewhere safe and secure. For instance, let's say there's someone on your Christmas list who really wants a KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer. Well, not only is it $100 off on the BB&B website, as of the publication of this article, but your 20 percent off coupon will also bring the price of the mixer down even further to just $224. It usually retails for $380.
7 | Brandless
Image via BrandlessDon't go broke preparing for all of those holiday parties you have to host. Instead, do all of your basic shopping on Brandless, where everything—yes, everything—costs just $3. Whether you're looking for gluten-free cornbread mix or need to stock up on toilet paper, this revolutionary brand has got you covered. They even sell an adorable gifting bundle with gift bags, stationary, and the like for just $15.
8 | Everlane
Everlane is a clothing brand that abides by a policy of "radical transparency." What that means is that for each item the brand sells, the money spent on materials, hardware, labor, duties, and transport is all clearly outlined for the buyer to see. What makes this company so popular amongst consumers is not just the transparency factor, though, but also the fact that all of the items are priced significantly below traditional retail value. Whether you need a holiday party outfit or want to purchase something special for your significant other, Everlane has you covered with transparent and affordable pricing that can't be beat.
9 | Etsy
If you want to personalize your holiday gifts with monograms and the like without having to spend extra money, then head over to Etsy. It's a one-stop shop for all things handmade and one-of-a-kind, and many popular gift items come with extras like engraving and monogramming already included in the price. Plus, you'll feel better about your holiday purchases knowing that, by choosing Etsy, you're saving money and supporting someone's handmade artwork.
10 | QVC
Casimiro PT / Shutterstock.comDon't overlook QVC just because you've seen hosts on the channel hawking gem sweaters at 2:00 a.m. In reality, the shopping platform is actually home to many a good deal, ranging from a pair of Amazon Echo speakers for $100 to a digital air fryer for just $70.
11 | Michaels
When it comes to holiday décor, nobody beats Michaels. The arts and crafts store has aisles upon aisles of Christmas and Hanukkah décor available—and even months before Christmas, you'll be able to find most of the festive goods on sale for at least 50 percent off. Oftentimes, the store also offers coupons online, so make sure to check the site's dedicated coupons section before buying anything to add to your holiday décor collection.
12 | Gilt
If you love sample sales but hate waiting in line, Gilt might just become your favorite shopping destination, offering high-end merchandise with none of the frustration and at a fraction of the usual cost. Every day, the shopping and lifestyle site opens the doors, so to speak, to new designer sales at discounted prices, with everything from home goods to fine jewelry to price-slashed designer clothing going on sale.
13 | Target
It's pretty much impossible to write a discount shopping round-up without mention of Target, the Mecca for savvy shoppers. Between Bullseye's Playground, home to the store's $1, $2, and $3 deals, and the clearance section, where electronics and home essentials alike are priced at up to 90 percent off, this megastore makes it almost too easy to shop for the holidays on a budget.
14 | Groupon
Give someone the (heavily discounted) gift of a special experience this holiday season by heading over to Groupon. There you'll find concert tickets, cooking classes, sightseeing tours, and more, all of which are just as fun as they are frugal. And here's an insider tip for even more savings: Groupon loves to hold special sales on items in their "things to do" category, so if you can hold off on purchasing your experiential gifts, then you might just be able to score an even bigger discount.
15 | J.Crew Factory
ShutterstockWhile the prices at J.Crew aren't exactly worthy of a discount shopping roundup, the ones at J.Crew Factory certainly are. On the J.Crew spinoff site, you'll find all of the same items that you'd see in-store—pajama sets, stone necklaces, shearling slippers, etc.—but the prices are significantly more wallet-friendly. (Right now, for instance, if you wanted to buy someone special a quilted puffer vest, you could do so for just $39.50.)
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