Holiday Shopping Calendar: Key Discount Dates 2025

Want to save money and avoid last-minute shopping stress? Timing is everything. Over 20% of annual retail sales happen between Black Friday and Christmas, making it the perfect time to snag deals. Here’s a quick guide to 2025’s major shopping dates:

Key Sales Events to Know:

Singles Day (Nov 11): Electronics and early holiday deals.
Black Friday (Nov 28): Huge discounts across all categories.
Cyber Monday (Dec 1): Online-only deals.
Green Monday (Dec 8): Last major online sale.
Super Saturday (Dec 20): Final in-store shopping push.

Other Dates to Plan For:

January: New Year’s Sales (Winter clothing, fitness gear).
February 14: Valentine’s Day (Jewelry, fragrances).
May 11: Mother’s Day (Beauty, home goods).
July: Prime Day (Electronics, home essentials).
September 2: Labor Day (Summer clearance, appliances).

Pro Tip: Use tools like GiftList’s Universal Wish List Maker to track discounts, organize gift ideas, and compare prices.

Start planning now to get the best deals, avoid shipping delays, and make your holiday shopping stress-free.

Holiday Guide To Shopping And Saving As Sales Hit Stores Early

Major Shopping Dates 2025

Here's a breakdown of key shopping events in 2025, organized by season to help you plan ahead and save.

Pre-Holiday Sales (January - October)

The first part of the year includes several opportunities for early shopping:

Month	Event	Common Deals
January	New Year's Sales (Jan 1–15)	Winter clothing, fitness gear
February	Valentine's Day (Feb 14)	Jewelry, fragrances
May	Mother's Day (May 11)	Beauty products, home goods
July	Prime Day (Expected Date)	Electronics, home essentials
September	Labor Day (Sep 2)	Summer clearance, appliances

Mother's Day is one of the top spending holidays in the U.S. . Using tools like GiftList's Universal Wish List Maker can help you track prices and compare deals effectively.

November, however, is when the biggest shopping events of the year begin.

November Shopping Events

November marks the start of the holiday shopping frenzy with a packed calendar of sales:

Singles Day (Nov 11): Known for discounts on electronics and tech products.
Pre-Black Friday (Nov 20–27): Early access to holiday deals.
Black Friday (Nov 28): Huge price cuts across all categories.
Small Business Saturday (Nov 29): A focus on supporting local stores.
Cyber Monday (Dec 1): Online-only offers and exclusive discounts.

Retailers often release Black Friday ads weeks in advance, showcasing deals on popular items like TVs, laptops, and gaming consoles .

December Sales Calendar

December provides plenty of chances for last-minute shopping and post-holiday clearance:

Date	Event	Deals to Watch For
December 8	Green Monday	Week-long online sales
December 14	Free Shipping Day	Guaranteed delivery offers
December 20	National Ugly Sweater Day	Discounts on holiday apparel
December 21	Super Saturday	Last-minute in-store bargains
December 26–31	After-Christmas Sales	Clearance on toys, winter wear

During this time, you'll find deep discounts as retailers clear out inventory. Many stores also provide price adjustments if you've recently purchased an item that’s now on sale.

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Quick Shopping Solutions

Pressed for time? These options make last-minute gifting a breeze.

Fast Delivery and Store Pickup

Many major retailers now offer super-fast delivery and pickup options to help with those time-sensitive purchases. Check out these services:

Service Type	Timing	Retailers
Same-Day Delivery	Within hours	Target, Walmart, Amazon Prime
Curbside Pickup	2-4 hours	Best Buy, Target, Walmart
In-Store Pickup	1-2 hours	Most major retailers
Express Shipping	1-2 days	Amazon Prime, major stores

Want to simplify shopping across multiple stores? Try GiftList's Universal Wish List Maker. And if you're in a rush, digital gifts are even quicker - see below.

Instant Digital Gifts

Digital gifts are perfect for last-minute surprises since they’re delivered instantly via email. Here are some top choices:

E-Gift Cards:

Amazon: Ranges from $5 to $2,000
Target: Ranges from $5 to $500
Walmart: Ranges from $5 to $500
Uber: Ranges from $25 to $500

Digital Subscriptions:

Spotify Premium: $10/month
MasterClass: $6/month (holiday pricing)
Blue Apron: E-gift cards available from $70 to $280

"Digital gift cards or subscriptions offer immediate delivery and bypass crowded stores." - Aaron Pruner, Writer

For food lovers, StackSocial's Restaurant.com digital gift cards are accepted at over 62,000 U.S. restaurants . Need more ideas? GiftList's AI Genie can help you find the perfect digital gift.

Money-Saving Methods

Price Monitoring Tools

Using price tracking tools can help you snag the best holiday deals. ShopSavvy offers mobile and browser extensions to track prices across multiple stores . For those focused on Amazon, Price Alert Pro notifies you when items on your watchlist drop in price .

Install browser extensions to keep an eye on prices
Set alerts for items to be notified when they hit your target price
Compare prices across various retailers

Pair these tools with well-organized wish lists to save even more.

Gift List Organization

The GiftList Universal Wish List Maker simplifies tracking your purchases and finding deals.

"GiftList made Christmas planning a breeze! Easy sign-up, and loved how my family could reserve gifts on my list. No more duplicate gifts. GiftList is our family's new holiday tradition." – Amy S

Here are some tips for smarter holiday planning:

Use GiftList's budget tools to keep spending in check
Share your lists to avoid duplicate gifts
Take advantage of the Special Occasions Tracker for timely gifting
Explore gift guides for affordable ideas

For a deeper dive into price trends, try Dealavo's 7-day trial during busy shopping periods .

Incorporate these strategies into your holiday preparations to save money and reduce last-minute stress.

Conclusion: Start Planning Now

Getting a head start on your holiday shopping can make all the difference. In 2025, holiday retail eCommerce sales are expected to hit $271.58 billion - a 9.5% jump from last year . That means plenty of opportunities to save, but only if you plan ahead.

Start Early, Save More

Did you know 16% of Americans start their holiday shopping as early as June ? Shopping early comes with perks like:

Access to pre-season sales
A better selection of items
Avoiding shipping delays
More flexible return options

"Early holiday promotions and initiatives spread the demand for your products over an extended period instead of one huge rush from last-minute shoppers." – iDrive Logistics

Make Your Shopping Smarter

On average, Americans spend $920 on holiday gifts . Tools like GiftList can help you stay organized and stress-free, whether you're tracking gift ideas or managing key shopping dates.

"GiftList is my gifting hub. From creating wish lists, organizing a Secret Santa, or finding gift ideas it's all there. Love it!"

With 20% of annual retail sales happening between Black Friday and Christmas , here’s how to stay ahead:

Compare prices across stores
Keep an eye on trending items
Time your purchases for major discounts
Make sure gifts arrive on time

Use tools like GiftList’s Special Occasions Tracker or AI Gift Ideas Generator (Genie) to simplify your shopping process. These steps will help you save money and avoid the holiday rush.