Have you ever thought about Christmas shopping in July? It seems a little funny to be thinking about gifts under the tree when we are all wearing shorts and summer clothing. (The air conditioning in some stores does seem to add a little bit of a chill to things.)
Still, there are certain strategies that you can use right now to get some great deals on your holiday gifts. Christmas will be here before you know it, and having some things crossed off of your list will make the festivities more merry and less hectic. Okay, on to the tips.
Take a close look at electronics. New models will be coming out soon in time for the big holiday rush. That means that models from previous years (or even last Christmas’s must have model) will be greatly discounted. We bought our television in the month of August. It was almost 50 percent off of the price it was in early July. The average for last year’s model is about 25 percent off of the original cost.
Get your mall and outlet coupons now. Often you’ll find better deals in these books over the summer, since business is slower, but many of the coupons can be used through the holiday season as well. Or, so your shopping with those coupons and the end of season sales to get the best deals. Visit the outlet or mall’s website for printable coupons, too.
If you do some Christmas shopping now in the summer and the prices fall later, just bring in your receipt and ask the store to refund the difference. Most stores will do this without a problem. The amount of time between the purchase and the sale can vary from one week to one year (30 days is usually standard). Check the store’s policies before you shop.