Christmas Shopping Made Easy: Top Stores, Cashback Tools, and Ways to Save
It’s the most wonderful (and expensive) time of the year. If Christmas shopping has you worried about your budget, you’re not alone. With inflation, rising prices, and new spending habits, many Americans are getting more intentional about what they purchase. According to NerdWallet’s 2025 holiday spending report, the average person plans to spend over $1,100 on gifts.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through where to get the best deals, how to stretch your budget, and where to find gifts that feel special without breaking the bank.
Where to Get Christmas Shopping Deals
Amazon
Amazon is one of the best places for Christmas shopping if you want speed, convenience, and endless options. Whether you’re shopping for books, electronics, clothing, or toys, Amazon has something for everyone. Prices are usually competitive, and the site constantly rotates lightning deals and holiday discounts. If you’re a last-minute shopper, their fast shipping can save you every time.
Grab deals before they disappear. Check today’s Amazon holiday discounts.
eBay
eBay is another solid option for saving money during the holidays. As both a seller and buyer on eBay, I’ve found great deals on items you won’t always see in big retail stores. You can bid on auctions that run 5–7 days or use the Buy It Now option if you want something immediately. Auctions sometimes go extremely low, especially for collectibles, toys, and clothing.
Looking for unique, affordable gifts? Visit my eBay store, Atlanta Mart.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores can be gold mines this time of year. You can often find brand-new items, toys in excellent condition, kitchen appliances, décor, and more for a fraction of the retail cost. Shops like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and Value Village stock up heavily during the holidays because people donate more around the end of the year. Go early in the day because the best items sell fast.
Re-Gift
Most people receive a gift or two that they never use. Instead of tossing them in a closet, re-gift them to someone who will actually enjoy them. It saves time and money, just double-check that you’re not giving it back to the original giver. A little organization prevents awkward moments.
Shop Directly on Brand Websites
Brand websites run some of their best deals between Black Friday and Christmas Eve. Cyber Monday is especially strong for discounts on clothing, tech, books, home goods, and beauty products. If you know someone who loves books, check Barnes & Noble’s holiday sales. If you want clothing deals, many brands offer free shipping or limited-time coupon codes during December.
Before you buy, use Rakuten to activate cashback. You’ll earn money back just for shopping through their portal, and new users often get a bonus.
Want to save more this season? Sign up for Rakuten and earn cashback on thousands of stores.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom is great if your holiday list includes beauty, home décor, toys, fashion, or higher-end gifts. Customer service and returns are excellent, and they offer gift guides that make holiday shopping easier. If you’ve ever received one of Nordstrom’s signature silver gift boxes, you know they make gift-giving feel premium without extra work.
Shopbop
For people with Prime memberships, Shopbop offers free two-day shipping along with trendy apparel, designer accessories, modern home goods, fitness kits, and more. Their holiday gift guides cover men, women, and home décor, making it easy to browse by trend, recipient, or price.
Anthropologie
Anthropologie is great for boho-style lovers, creative décor, or unique lifestyle gifts. From jewelry and candles to premium home pieces, it’s a go-to for stylish gifts with personality.
Urban Outfitters
If you like unique gadgets, vintage clothing, cool décor, or modern lifestyle accessories, Urban Outfitters is a fun one-stop holiday shop. The curated gift sections for men, women, and home make it easy to browse. They also have affordable picks for budget shoppers.
Everlane
Are you looking for eco-friendly products? You can never go wrong with Everlane’s Eco-friendly silk blouses, footwear, and budget-friendly outfits. The San Francisco-born online store is well-known for its ethically obtained raw materials, classic and timeless designs, and transparent pricing. Their gift shop section has a lot of gift ideas for both him and her, all at budget-friendly prices.
Society6
Society6 lets independent artists sell artwork printed on mugs, blankets, phone cases, wall décor, apparel, and more. It’s an ideal place to find unique gifts that you won’t see in every chain store. If you want an artistic or personal touch, this is a great option.
Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods specializes in clever, creative gifts from independent designers. This is an excellent place to find gifts for food lovers, fitness fans, travelers, hobbyists, and hard-to-shop-for family members. Their gift categories sort everything by price, interest, and age, which makes navigating easier during busy shopping weeks.
Cashback and Rewards
You can also earn cashback on many of these stores by using Swagbucks. Purchasing through Rakuten or Swagbucks lets you earn on purchases you’d be making anyway.
Start earning cashback fast. Join Swagbucks and get rewarded for everyday shopping.
Holiday Shopping Tips and Stats to Help You Save
• Deloitte reports that U.S. shoppers plan to spend an average of $1,652 this season.
• The National Retail Federation found that 60% of shoppers rely on sales and discounts to manage spending.
• Statista reports that 79% of shoppers prefer buying Christmas gifts online because of convenience.
• Nearly 58% of shoppers begin holiday shopping before November.
Don’t know what to buy? Check out my Christmas Gift Ideas guide for inspiration.
With so many options like online stores, thrift finds, brand sales, unique shops, and cashback tools, you don’t have to overspend this Christmas. Smart shopping can help you get meaningful gifts without the stress. Whether you’re browsing Amazon, hitting your favorite brand sites, or exploring small creative shops, the right approach can stretch your holiday budget further than you think.
Jason Butler is the owner of My Money Chronicles, a website where he discusses personal finance, side hustles, travel, and more. Jason is from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah State University with his BA in Marketing. Jason has been featured in Forbes, Discover, and Investopedia.
