Having a gift closet is a great frugal hack, as it saves you money all year long. A stash of “evergreen” presents means you’re ready for any occasion.
(Especially those that sound like this: “Hey, I forgot to tell you, I’m invited to Jack’s birthday party on Saturday.”)
If you pick your spots, the first few shopping days of the holiday season are a great way to put some oomph into your gift closet. They’re also a good chance to hit some specific gift milestones, and maybe even to get something your own household needs (or wants).
Gifts for people who are pregnant, getting married, and or heading off to/graduating from college abound in sales flyers for Black Friday et al. Maybe it’s time to check a few gifts off your own upcoming events?
You’ll see towels, sheets, blankets and the like starting at just a few bucks. Last year, I spent just $5.99 for a luxuriously warm blanket in a rich mulberry color. It’s on our bed, and between it and the comforter we’ve been a little too warm lately.
Then again, poking an arm or leg out of a cozy bed is one of the great joys of a winter night. In “Dandelion Wine,” Ray Bradbury described it thusly:
“…sticking your feet out of the hot covers in wintertime to let the cold wind from the open window blow on them suddenly and you let them stay out a long time until you pull them back in under the covers again to feel them, like packed snow.”
Someone who’s setting up a first apartment might really appreciate something like that, especially if you could afford to pair it with a set of sheets. Maybe a half-dozen bath towels and washcloths would be a big help for that new apartment-dweller.
Small appliances like coffeemakers, electric fry pans and slow cookers are typical loss leaders. The Kohl’s flyer I got in the mail offers these for $2.14 after coupon and rebate.
Why didn’t they save that price for Valentine’s Day, I wonder? Maybe it’s because none of these are romantic enough. But they’d be a big help for someone setting up housekeeping – and that includes getting married.
Yes, I know that wedding registries are a thing. But they’re more a lifestyle option than a mandate, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Some friends wouldn’t mind your asking, “So…Would the two of you be interested in a coffeemaker?” And if your friends are also on tight budgets, they might be absolutely delighted with a small appliance.
Other Black Friday gift closet tactics
That coffeemaker could also be a wise investment for your own household. Sooner or later your old one will give up the ghost. Or possibly you’ll drop the glass pitcher on some dark, caffeine-deprived morning. Having a $2.14 coffeemaker waiting in the wings would probably be cheaper than buying a new pitcher.
Maybe this is the year you’ll replace your worn-out bath towels, or at least the ones with the small holes and the unraveling hems. Perhaps some of your socks are starting to develop holes, too. And if you’re starting over after divorce, watch for those loss-leader dishes or cookware sets – they might be cheaper than the thrift store.
But back to gift closets. Watch for present options for occasions like:
Birthday gifts/birthday party gifts. Again, toys and such will likely be cheaper next month. But doorbuster games, stuffed animals and craft kits could be good to keep around vs. having to pay full price at the last minute. Ditto gifts for your own kids, or nieces, nephews or grandkids – and gifts for other adults, such as picture frames, journals, candles and accessories.
Valentine’s Day. All that red! Just ignore the green stuff. But seriously: Not everyone gives gifts on Feb. 14, but if it’s a treasured custom then keep your eyes peeled for watches, jewelry, scarves and, if you must, stuffed animals.
Mother’s Day/Father’s Day. Remember that some women want power tools as much as men do. Both sexes might appreciate clothing or accessories.
Baby gifts. Clothing, accessories and bigger-ticket items – if you know someone who’s expecting, why not buy those burp cloths or whatever for half-price?
High-school graduation. Will someone be heading off to college or trade school in the fall, or even in January? Extra-long sheet sets to fit the dormitory beds would be a utilitarian gift, as would a set of towels. You could always sweeten the present by adding a gift card to Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, with a note saying it’s for buying dorm-room supplies. (Don’t count on it lasting that long, though.)
College graduation/first apartment. That slow cooker could come in mighty handy for someone with student loans and a starter salary. So could one of those cookware sets, or dishes, or a Rubbermaid food-storage set – all three tend to be on sale at this time of year.
Housewarming. Look past the cutesy signs about “home” or “wine,” and toward the practical stuff. No, a shop-vac isn’t sexy – but it’s pretty darned useful. So are things like hand or power tools, ladders, sawhorses and a plumber’s snake.
Retirement. Will someone you love be transitioning this year? Try to find a present that coincides with future plans, including but not limited to carry-on luggage, classic literature, tools, skis, an e-reader, camera equipment or a good set of knives.
Is it worth the price?
Not every “deal” on Black Friday is the best possible price. For example, this 2018 article from NerdWallet notes that several retailers sold a particular Dyson vacuum cleaner for $20 less on Veterans Day than Black Friday – and $139 less than the Dyson website price. The February price for a certain Samsung washing machine was $96 less than the Black Friday price, and $370 less than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
Toys, bicycles and other kid-centric gifts are being heavily advertised. But they’re likely to be cheaper in December, according to deal expert Trae Bodge. Naturally you’ll see a few exceptions this Thursday and Friday, such as $2.99 classic board games.
You might save money by using apps and sites like PriceGrabber, CamelCamelCamel (Amazon only), Honey and SlickDeals. They will compare prices, sometimes provide price histories and even let you set an alert for when an item’s cost reaches the level you’re able to pay.
And before you buy electronics, laptops or pretty much anything over the next week, do a little research. If the brand/model is universally panned, maybe it’s not such a great deal after all.
A low-key Black Friday
You probably don’t need to stand in line for some of these deals, since most are available online as well as in-store. Some people still recall the mad crushes of shoppers fighting to get to loss leaders, altercations that sometimes led to physical injury or even death.
Those are pretty much a thing of the past, but some people don’t want to take chances – or to get up that early. Since some deals start on Thanksgiving night, you can shop in your jammies while eating leftover turkey.
Some “doorbuster” deals might require you to make an in-person visit. But that can be fun, too, especially if they give you doughnuts. I was in search of a doorbuster last year when I found the blanket. Oddly, I can’t recall what deal I was seeking, but I did walk out with several of those blankets: one for us and the rest for my nephews (their mom reimbursed me and used them as Christmas gifts).
Which brings me to the caveat emptor version of today’s festivities: Watch your wallet.
There’s a peculiar kind of math some people do when they see a discount: At that price, I can’t NOT buy it. Or its insidious cousin: Normally this costs $109 but now it’s only $70 – that’s only $20 more than what I’ve budgeted for this gift, and it’s SUCH a good product…
If you really can’t afford that stroller or television even at the Black Friday price, don’t talk yourself into breaking the bank.
Oh, and of course: If you don’t need it, then it’s no bargain.
Readers: Will you be deal-seeking on Thursday, Friday or beyond? Or are you already finished your shopping?
Related reading:
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