Your son comes home from school on Thursday and announces he’s been invited to a birthday party. And it’s tomorrow. Been there! And I have your solution in just two words: gift stockpile.
It’s pretty simple. Learn the best time of year to buy everything, and when you find a deal on a giftable item — anything from a blender to a Nerf gun — buy it when the price is low, and save it for later. In the long run, it’ll save you time and money. Here’s how I do it:
I load up on bins when they’re on sale and make a bin for each of these categories:
Baby Shower Gifts
Bridal Shower and Wedding Gifts
Teen Birthday and Graduation Gifts
Teacher, Friend, and Neighbor Gifts
Next, I fill up my bins!
Be sure to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app for more money-saving tips, deals, and coupons.
Note: Prices and item availability may vary per location and region.
These current deals will save you $394.74 (an average 64% off) over their regular prices! Definitely worth adding to your gift stockpile. However, you better grab ’em while you can because they won’t be around long.
Stockpile Gift Cards
Stockpiling gift cards can save you 80%+ or earn you (or your recipient) a bonus gift card. One of the best things about stockpiling gift cards is they can't expire within five years of purchase. However, many of the major retailers and restaurants offer gift cards that never expire (bonus cards have an expiration date), making them the perfect addition to your gift stockpile.
You can save up to 25% off gift cards every day at Sam's Club, Costco, or BJ's Wholesale Club. Plus, you can grab limited-time discount gift card deals for your stockpile around Prime Day and major holidays like Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, even graduation.
Here are a few current offers on gift cards that don't have an expiration date.
Note: The following deals are not current, they are for example only.
1. How to Build a Gift Stockpile for Baby Showers
Diapers and baby wipes
Diapers and wipes are like liquid gold to a new mom. Raid your couponing stockpile and give some of those diapers and wipes you get at rock-bottom prices as a shower gift. If you don’t have a stash of diapers already, let’s get you started. Once a month, you can get Huggies for under $4 per pack and Pampers for under $5 per pack at drugstores like Walgreens and CVS. If you have a pregnant friend, follow KCL to find coupons for Huggies, Pampers coupons, and other diaper deals! Check out these past deals:
Baby sleepers
Stock up on sleepers like Gerber and Carter’s when they are under $8 either on clearance at Sam’s Club. They recently had Gerber Baby Sleep ‘N Play, for $5 (reg $11) and Carter’s Fleece Sleeper 2-Pack, for $2.81 (reg $14.98). I also found Clearance Doorbuster Deals and Deals of the Week (up to 60% off) on Gerber’s sleepers at GerberChildrensWear.com:
2. How to Build a Gift Stockpile for Bridal Showers and Weddings
Small appliances
Kohl’s + Kohl’s cash + coupon code stacking equals huge savings. Watch for deals at Kohl’s on small appliances or bed and bath items. Black & Decker appliances have been as cheap as $14 (for a $40 appliance). Toasters or coffee pots often go on sale for only $4.99. Many stores including Macy’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney, and Walmart have doorbuster deals on small appliances on Black Friday, making it a great time to stock up on wedding gifts for under $20 — sometimes as low as $5 each. And thanks to mail-in rebates, there’s also a sprinkling of hot appliance deals all year round. Here’s a look at a few past Black Friday deals:
Bed and Bath
The Big One bath towels get as low as $3 each at Kohl’s, so when they hit that price, stock up! (Check out more Kohl’s shopping hacks.)
Lingerie & Pajamas
Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual sales: Shop the VS semi-annual sale in January and June where you’ll find panties for as low as $3.99. Lingerie is up to 50% off, and good quality pajamas are $24.99 or less. I have various sizes and styles in my stockpile. Here are a few items I picked up at the most recent Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale:
3. How to Build a Gift Stockpile for Kids’ Birthdays
Toys
Amazon Lightning Deals is a great place to watch for great deals on toys. Act fast though because Lighting Deals go fast! Make sure to add the item to your cart, sign in to your account, and enter payment info before the deal goes live. That way, all you have to do is check out, and you’re not at risk of losing the toy before it sells out — sometimes in less than 90 seconds!
TIP: Join Amazon Prime (free 30 day trial here) and you’ll get to shop most Lightning Deals 30 minutes before deals go live for everyone else.
Target’s Semi-Annual Toy Clearance Sale usually starts in the second or third week in January and runs again in July. The sale starts off at 30% off, then goes to 50% off, and quickly to 70% off. Items go so fast! If there’s something you really want, it’s best to get it at the 50% markdown. The good stuff is gone once it hits 70%. During the rest of the year, shop Target when they mark down their toy section. I’ve found days vary between stores, some on Tuesdays, others on Thursdays. I suggest you befriend a Target team member at your local store and get the skinny on their specific markdown days.
Here’s a look at some recent toy deals:
TIP: Stock up on arts and crafts items like crayons, construction paper, scissors, markers, etc., during Back-to-School sales and clearance sales after school begins.
4. How to Build a Gift Stockpile for Teen Birthdays and Graduations
Discounted gift cards
During Prime Day you can save up to 20% on gift cards. If you’re a Costco and Sam’s Club member grab gift cards 20 – 25% off. You can also get a 5 – 10% (average) discount on gift cards at Raise.com for stores you already frequent. You can choose gift cards from Best Buy, Sephora, Starbucks, TJ Maxx, and a lot more. Check out these recent deals:
Cosmetics
You can find high-value coupons for new products at Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid. Keep an eye out specifically for brands like Covergirl, Maybelline and Revlon and items like nail polish and mascara. Also watch for Target gift card deals like “Spend $50 in the Beauty Department and get a $10 Target gift card.” For the girl who likes brand-name makeup, you can find deals at Sephora, too! I like to stock up during their semi-annual sales in April and November. I also like to buy their value sets, which include a mix of items of the same brand. You may even get cosmetics for free or as moneymakers when you combine combine savings like a sale, coupons, rewards, and rebates.
I found some moneymakers when shopping cosmetics during the last few months.
Electronics
Best Buy isn’t just a great place to get a giant flatscreen TV. Watch for deep discounts on Bella appliances during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Black Friday in July. Other stores with great deals on electronics include Amazon and Target.
TIP: If you find a better price than Best Buy’s they are one of a handful of retailers who will price match Amazon.
Dorm room essentials
Back-to-school sales/clearance on dorm stuff: Give an incoming freshman a head start on their space in college. You’ll find sheet sets, organizers, and basically anything a student needs to set up their dorm room. Back-to-school sales are in full swing from July to September. Check out Target and Ikea clearance sales in September for some of the best deals. Here are past deals:
5. How to Build a Gift Stockpile for Teachers, Friends, and Neighbors
Personal care and home fragrances
Shop the Bath & Body Works semi-annual sale (online and in store) in January and June to stock up on hand soaps for as little as $3.25, and Wallflower refills for under $2. Lotion and body cream are $3.75, and candles are up to 50% off. Bath & Body Works items make great gifts for my kids’ teachers and also for times when I forget a friend or a neighbor’s birthday. Late gifts are better than no gifts, right?!
Accessories
Find deals up to 80% off on jewelry, scarves, gloves, or flip-flops at JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Macy’s.
Wine
If you have the sort of relationship with your child’s teacher where this would be welcome, wine is a thoughtful gift. Snag wine for about $5 a bottle at Albertsons when you combine a sale and digital savings like their Albertsons for U ‘buy 6 bottles and receive 10% off’ coupon. Plus, look for rebate hanging tags!
You could join a wine club so you always have a bottle on hand. Check out First Leaf, where you can save 75% off your first order. Here are two deals I found recently:
Now I’m a gift stockpiler for life.
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