How to Find the Best Deals Online for Christmas Shopping

The holidays are right around the corner, and while it’s the season of giving, it doesn’t have to be the season of overspending. With prices fluctuating and retailers competing for your attention, there are more ways than ever to score amazing holiday deals in 2025—if you know where to look.

Here are our favorite tried-and-true tips to help you save money online and get your Christmas shopping wrapped up without breaking your budget.

🎁 1. Start Early (But Don’t Panic if You Didn’t)

Many of the best holiday deals 2025 have already started rolling out. Retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart are known for early Black Friday previews and weeklong sales in late October. Signing up for their newsletters or deal alerts can help you get first dibs on doorbusters before stock runs out.

If you missed those early offers - don’t worry! Many stores now match their Black Friday prices again during Cyber Week and even mid-December to clear inventory.

💰 2. Use Price Trackers and Deal Alerts

Before hitting “add to cart,” check to see if that’s really the best price. Sites and browser extensions like Honey, CamelCamelCamel, and Rakuten can show you price history, apply coupon codes automatically, or even give you cash back.

👉 Pro tip: Set price alerts for the big-ticket items on your list early. When the price drops, you’ll get an instant notification - no refreshing pages or stalking flash sales required.

🛍️ 3. Stack Your Savings

One of our favorite Christmas shopping tips is to combine multiple discounts whenever possible. Try this formula: Promo code + Cash back site + Rewards card = Maximum savings.

For example, shop through Rakuten for 10% cash back, use a 20% off promo code from the retailer’s newsletter, and pay with a credit card offering 5% back on online purchases. That’s triple the savings, and it adds up fast!

🧠 4. Don’t Fall for Fake Discounts

Some retailers inflate prices just to make their “holiday sale” look bigger. Use a price comparison tool or check past prices on sites like PriceGrabber to make sure you’re actually getting a deal.

Also, stick to trusted retailers - especially during the rush. Fake shopping sites pop up every year offering “can’t-miss deals,” only to take your payment and disappear.

🎄 5. Look for Hidden Perks

Sometimes the best holiday deals come with bonuses that aren’t front and center. Look for:

• Free shipping thresholds (and group your orders to qualify)

• Free gifts with purchase - especially with beauty, toy, and tech brands

• Store rewards or loyalty programs that give you points toward future purchases

If you shop through smaller or local businesses online, many also offer discount codes for newsletter subscribers or early access to sales through social media.

✨ 6. Make a List and Stick to It

Impulse buys are the silent budget busters of the season. Create your list early, set spending limits per person, and keep track of what you’ve already bought. A little organization helps you stay focused - and keeps those “oops, I already got them something!” moments to a minimum.

🎅 Final Thoughts

Finding the best holiday deals in 2025 is all about shopping smarter, not harder. Take advantage of tools that do the legwork for you, be strategic with your timing, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. After all, the joy of giving feels even better when you know you saved money doing it.