Crafters and hobbyists are passionate groups of people, and they don't play when it comes to finding the best deals on the supplies that feed their pastimes. In fact, you can actually find multiple, lengthy debates across the interwebs about the best things to buy at Michaels (both with Michaels coupons and without).
Of course, we at The Krazy Coupon Lady have our own staunch opinions on the subject. And we aren't afraid to enter the chat on any Hobby Lobby vs. Joann vs. Michaels debate, either. But for the purpose of this article we're going all in on the best things to buy at Michaels (made even better if you use our Michaels savings hacks). And for the love of Cricut, please don't shop at the retailer without racking up Michaels Rewards earnings.
Text HACKS to 57299 for smart shopping tips and download The Krazy Coupon app so you never miss a deal at Michaels.
What is Michaels known for?
Michaels is best known for selling supplies used in a wide array of different types of crafts and art mediums. From yarn and fabric to beads and jewelry-making necessities, they also carry items for baking, holiday decorating, t-shirt printing, framing, and beyond.
They're also known for their Michaels coupons, with which at the very least you can always get at 20% off on regular-priced items.
What are the best things to buy at Michaels without a coupon?
Some might say the answer to this question is a matter of opinion, but we think our picks are not only the best deals you can get at Michaels, but the most useful, too.
Michaels Grab Bags, $10
Buy when: You see them in-store around February, June, and September
Full disclosure: we live for a Michaels Grab Bag (or Box) moment. If you're not already familiar, these $10 bags (sometimes in the form of boxes) are chock full of random clearance from the prior season. Now the bags are sealed when you purchase them, so there isn't an opportunity to peek inside before you purchase. But they're typically filled with all kinds of odds and ends you can use in mixed-media projects or save for next year's holiday.
Lexington 3-Tier Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy™, reg. 49.99
Buy when it's: $29.99
Now we would never pay full price for the Lexington 3-Tier Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy™ but that's because you really don't have to. This cart is almost always on sale for $29.99 (and some colors head to clearance at $24). It's available in a wide range of colors and is more spacious than the similarly-styled IKEA RASHULT ($27.99, Ikea). The Lexington cart is 16.81" x 13.98" x 29.9" while the IKEA RASHULT is 11" x 15" x 25". So even though the IKEA cart is regularly priced at $2 less than the Lexington cart, you're getting more space to store stuff with the latter option.
Holiday Decorations, reg. $1.99 & up
Buy when it's: at least 50% off
The holidays are plentiful at Michaels and they put decor on display months before the actual date. In the case of Halloween, Michaels has been known to set it out as early as July. Be patient, though. Because as the weeks go by, that Michaels holiday decor will start to enjoy markdowns, typically starting at 30%, then hitting 40% and 50% just before the related holiday. That's the time to buy (none of this full-priced business only using a 20% off coupon — that's for amateurs).
If you're the gambling type with storage space, scoop up decor at 70% off when the holiday passes and save it for next year.
Gildan T-Shirts, reg. $4.99
Buy when it's: $2.99
Whether you're tie-dying or doing some other craft with t-shirts, buy the Gildan variety at Michaels when they're on sale for $2.99 each (and they are always on sale for that price). Even if you were to buy a 6-pack of Hanes Men's Crewneck T-Shirts ($19) at Target, that would still come out to $3.17 apiece, that's $0.18 more per t-shirt. And Michaels has a variety of sizes and colors in the $2.99 Gilden t-shirts without having to commit to a pack of one size and one color to get a cheaper price.
Picture Frames, reg. $4.99 and up
Buy when they are: buy one get one free
You're going to sense a pattern on our list, and that's never buy anything at Michaels at full price. Picture frames are always on sale here, but the sales do vary. Sometimes it's B1G1 Free. Others it's B1G1 50% off. And, on very special occasions, it's B1G2 Free. We suggest meeting Michaels in the middle and if you see picture frames for on that B1G1 Free sale, you're getting a good deal.
If you're shopping Michaels online, search by Frame Size. Then apply the filter that produces results with prices from low to high. Do your best to choose two frames at the same price, knowing that if you purchase one that is more expensive, it's the lesser-priced of the two that you'll get for free.
Kids Craft Kits, $1.99 & up
Buy when they are: buy one get one 50% off
We cannot express how many times kid-friendly craft kits from Michaels have saved our behinds on a rainy day or weekend morning. Michaels has tons of these, from the super simple color-in wood ornaments to more intricate felt craft kits.
If the craft is seasonal, stock up after a holiday or season has passed when these go on clearance. But for a more everyday price, add two to your cart when they are on sale for B1G1 50% off, which is regularly.
Craft Classes, Free
That's right, we said free. Generally speaking, Michaels craft classes are free in terms of instruction. For example, you can sign up for any of their myriad Zoom classes, which range from jewelry making to cake decorating, without spending a dime. However if you want to do the project in tandem with viewing the class, you'll have to buy the supplies.
Michaels also has free in-store craft classes for kids alternating on either Saturdays or Sundays every week. On Saturdays these activities run from 10 am - noon and on Sundays they are held from 2 pm - 4 pm local time.
Sprinkles & Candy Melts, reg. $2.99 & up
Buy when they are: Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Even if baking isn't your hobby, Michaels has tons of different sprinkles and colored candy melts to make homemade goods look professional. We love to stock up on these for upcoming occasions and holidays when they are on sale B1G1 Free.
Canvases
Buy when they are: Buy 2 Get 2 Free
You don't have to be Bob Ross to have some canvases on hand. Michaels has a variety of different sizes and styles, plus they're nearly always on sale in some capacity. Our favorite sale to wait for is the B2G2 Free promotion in which you can mix and match different sizes to get the deal. Just remember that the two lowest priced canvases are the ones you'll get for free.
Craft Storage, $4.99 & up
Buy when it's: 50% off, typically in January
You're probably thinking, "Duh, of course you'd buy craft storage at Michaels — they're a craft store." But it's deeper than that. Michaels has some pretty specific offerings that unique to individual hobbies — like bead sorters, floss organizers, and yarn totes.
Typically in January, when we're all trying to get our proverbial business together, Michaels has all of their storage items on sale. This is a great time to pounce. Otherwise, make sure you use any available Michaels coupon for a percent-off discount.
Artificial Christmas Trees, $18.49 & up
Buy when they're: 60% off online the first week of November
Every single year, without fail, Michaels comes out of the gate hot with a giant sale on artificial Christmas trees the first week of November. If you order online, the trees are 60% off, which is a pretty substantial discount ahead of the big holiday. Sure, you'll see savings at some other retailers closer to Christmas, but if you want to get your tree on early, pounce as soon as Michaels unleashes their sale.
What are the best things to buy at Michaels with a coupon?
Some things just don't (or rarely) go on sale at Michaels. Case in point: helium tanks for balloons. But they can still be a good buy here as long as you have a coupon of at least 20% off in tow.
Helium Tank, $44.99 & up
Buy it when: You have at least a 30% off Michaels coupon
Like we just mentioned, you'll be hard-pressed to find a helium tank go on sale at Michaels. And you might even be thinking, "Don't you realize this exact same tank is cheaper at Target?," and you aren't wrong. The Balloon Time Medium Balloon Kit is a whopping is only $33.99 at Target. However, if you have a 30% off Michaels coupon, you can get that tank for $31.49, beating the regular Target price, and get Michaels Rewards at the same time.
Office Decor & Storage, $1.99 & up
Buy it when: You have at least a 20% off coupon
We're always really surprised by the interesting office decor and organization products Michaels offers. Often times we expect it to be very cottagecore and craftsy, but you can actually find a lot of items with a modern aesthetic, like an oversized gold frame dry erase calendar. While Michaels does put organization items on sale every so often, they can be harder to find marked down. So we would only buy with a coupon, preferably higher than 20% off Regular Price items but that will do if we're trying to get a project completed.
Cake Decorating Tools, $4.99 & up
Buy them when: You have at least a 20% off coupon
Without trekking to a specialty chef shop, Michaels is your most convenient option for cake decorating tools. From dowels to keep a tiered cake together to every decorating tip you can imagine, you can really assemble an enormous pastry toolbox here. But do not buy a thing without at least your standard Michaels 20% off Regular Price Purchases coupon.
Tote Bags, $1 & up
Buy them when: You have a 20% off coupon
Truthfully, these blank tote bags are already a great deal at regular price. But naturally you can make a great deal better by using a coupon when they're regular price. Now if you're scoping out the $1 bags on clearance (these are typically in seasonal colors Michaels is clearing out), you can't use a coupon on them. But that's okay because you're getting a tote bag for $1.
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