What to Buy in December

Make the season bright with toys, golf clubs, bubbly and pools (really!)

by Donna Freedman December 3, 2014

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Despite the recent deals over Cyber Weekend, plenty of people still haven’t even started their holiday shopping. Fortunately, the best things to buy in December include some very giftable items—toys, golf clubs, Champagne—and a mega-gift-to-yourself—swimming pools.

Yes, pools (more on that later).

Discounts were deep between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, but the category most associated with the holidays—namely, toys—will actually have better buys in December. The sweet spot is usually about 10 days before Christmas, according to RetailMeNot senior lifestyle editor Trae Bodge, so mark your calendar.

If you just can’t wait, here are a few toys sales happening now:

Target: Through December 6, get up to 50% off top toys.

Toys R Us: Cyber Weekend continues through December 6, with major savings all week, including up to 40% offLEGO items, plus free shipping.

American Girl: Through December 31, get $10 off $100.

WBShop.com: RetailMeNot exclusive! Through December 31, take 10% off $75 or more. Shipping is free on non-sale merchandise.

A good walk spoiled?

Some adults never quite outgrow their love for childhood toys and games. Others merely change the type of playthings and pastimes they prefer.

Case in point: golf. While some agree that golf is actually a good walk spoiled, others just can’t get enough. It’s not a cheap hobby, but December is a good time to buy new gear, from clubs to apparel. Major manufacturers generally introduce new items in fall or early January, then drop their prices from six months to a year later.

Thus “the time of year you go shopping might affect not only what products are available but what you’ll pay for some of them,” says Peter Finch of Golf Digest.

The manufacturers Mizuno, Ping and Titleist keep their prices consistent longer, since they produce new lines only every couple of years. For others, “there’s the end-of-year closeout to make room for next season’s hot new [products].”

Don’t bag a new putter without checking RetailMeNot coupons and deals:

Academy: Get up to 63% off at the golf clearance.

Golf Galaxy: Get $15 off $75.

PGA Tour Super Store: Get up to 75% off golf and tennis apparel.

TaylorMade: For 18 days in December, TaylorMade will have a new sale every day.

Golf Warehouse: Get up to 25% off sitewide and free shipping on $49 or more.

Golfclubs.com: Get up to 15% off sitewide.

Mizuno: Get 15% off sitewide plus free shipping on $75 or more.

Golfsmith: Through December 31, get $25 off $125 or more.

Popping the cork

Champagne is obviously in great demand on the last day of December. But with such a guaranteed market, why would it be on sale? In an interview with National Public Radio, consumer expert Mark Di Vicenzo explained that stores turn Champagne into a loss leader “in the hopes that they’ll buy other things they weren’t planning to buy—and at full price,” he says.

Of course, the word “Champagne” refers to sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, and you’ll pay more for it. Even Veuve Clicquot, which the Wine Folly blog calls “perhaps the most well-marketed Champagne on the face of the planet,” will run $50 or more.

To save money, consider sparkling wine, which is considerably more affordable and a still-classy way to toast the New Year. In “7 Alternatives to Top Champagne Brands,” Wine Folly gives tips on saving as much as $240 per bottle.

Whether you are looking for bubbly or vino for a holiday party, there are deals to be had:

NakedWine: Get a $100 in savings off a purchase of $160 or more.

Wine.com: New customers get 10% off.

Korbel: Get California champagne for up to 40% off per case.

Splish splash, but don’t take a bath

For those outside the Sun Belt, December might seem like an odd time to think about swimming. But the professionals are staring at months of little to no activity, and they’re willing to cut some deals.

“Pricing is almost always lower during the fall and winter time periods,” notes Marcus Sheridan of River Pools & Spas, a Virginia-based company.

Not all pools are poured from concrete these days: Some are vinyl liners and some are one-piece fiberglass units. So if there’s even a chance at digging a hole in your yard at this time of year, a winter installation can save you money.

Filtering systems have also changed, meaning they’re easier to use and more energy efficient. Total operating prices vary widely depending on the type of pool; a chart on the River Pools & Spas websiteestimates annual costs at $375 (fiberglass), $1,150 (vinyl) and $2,740 (concrete) over a 10-year period.

At the very least, shop around for estimates. Contractors plan their jobs in advance, so don’t wait until mid-May to think, “Say! Wouldn’t it be fun to swim in the back yard instead of driving to the YMCA?”

“If you want a pool, now would be the time to get on the calendar,” says APSA spokeswoman Lisa Grepps.

You may be too busy planning your holiday celebration and/or digging out from under epic snowfalls (hello, Buffalo!) to think about this, but if you’ve been considering a pool, set the wheels in motion now. Not to sound like your mom, but spring really is just around the corner.