Holiday Shopping: Tips to Find Sales and Black Friday Deals for 25 Hot Gifts

Black Friday will soon be upon us--but are those doorbuster deals really worth the hype?  Keep in mind that for every deeply discounted LCD TV, there are hundreds of other items NOT on sale.  Whether you're braving the crowds in-store on Black Friday or shopping from the comfort of your desk on Cyber Monday--or playing a game of chicken with prices right up until Christmas Eve, forewarned is forearmed. 

Read on for a cheat sheet of how to make sure you score the very best deals when shopping for holiday gifts.

Knowledge is power when it comes to holiday shopping and the first thing shoppers should keep in mind is an item's MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price).  Quite often retailers will display an original price that's actually higher than the MSRP, making price reductions look more dramatic than they actually are.  Of course, supply and demand can have an affect on original price as well--but knowing the MSRP for wishlist items is the first step in determining whether a so-called deal is actually a deal.

Hot Holiday Toys

• Justin Bieber Singing Doll (MSRP $29.99):  I breathe a great sigh of relief that I have no children and my 5 year-old nephew is more into dinosaurs and astronauts.  But for those of you with tweens clamoring for the teen pop star sensation, Amazon has the "One Less Lonely Girl" version for $18.04 (as I write this)--up from $17.43 a week ago.  Target has it with a temporary price cut of $17.99 and a while back it was featured as a daily deal for only $15 (it's also a daily deal today, November 8th!)
  


• LeapPad (Bundle MSRP $139.99 - 199.99):  LeapFrog sells the popular educational toy only in bundled sets--which can be a money saver if you plan to add accessories.  If you just want the stand-alone item, Amazon sells it for $99--as does Sears, Target, Kmart and Toys R Us.  Target currently has a coupon for $10 off LeapFrog products, so that may be your best deal.


• Mattel Loopz Game (MSRP $29.99):  Walmart's price is $25, but it's currently out-of-stock online.  Toys R Us has an online price of $25.89--but that doesn't include tax or shipping (you can get free shipping, however, on orders of $75 or more). Amazon has it for $27.04 including shipping.  Target has a coupon good for $5 off Loopz with purchase of 24-pk of Duracell AA batteries.  The game does require 4 AA batteries, but having to buy 24 to get a measly $5 off doesn't strike me as the best deal--unless you have a bunch of other toys to power.
  


• Fisher-Price Dance Star Mickey (MSRP $75.00):  This is destined to be one of the season's hard-to-find items.  Walmart currently has Dance Star Mickey (not to be confused with Rock Star Mickey which you can snag for as little as $39.99) for $59.97.


• My Pillow Pets (MSRP $15.99-19.99): These convertible stuffed animals come in original 18" size and a peewee 11" size with the original size retailing for about $20.  You can get them for under $15 at Amazon and, if you're not brand-conscious, they also have knock-offs under the label "Cuddlee Pet" for as little as $2.49.  Collections Etc. has them for $9.97 (plus an additional 10-20% off if you sign up for their emails), but it's unclear whether it's the original or peewee size. (Update: the original size My Pillow Pets Ladybug is currently only $10.80 at Amazon.)
  


• Let's Rock Elmo (MSRP $69.99):  Whether this turns into this year's Tickle Me Elmo remains to be seen, but currently you can save up to $20 off the retail price.  Amazon and Sears have it for $49.99 and Toys R Us has it with bonus guitar (value $19.99) for $59.99.  Target has it for $54.99 with a $5 off coupon bringing it to $49.99.  (Update:  For Black Friday, Kmart has Elmo reduced to $49.99 along with a $5 off coupon for in-store purchase.  Target is currently selling Let's Rock Elmo for $29.49 on 12/15 plus there's a Target coupon for an additional 25%. Some people are reporting that this purchase is triggering a $10 gift card add-in.)
  


• Angry Birds Knock on Wood game (MSRP $16.99):  The lowest price I've seen for this game is $11.89 at FAO Schwarz.


• Xia Xia Pets (MSRP $24.99):  These are supposed to be this year's Zhu Zhu Pets although I'm not quite getting the hype over mechanical hermit crabs vs. mechanical hamsters.  The lowest price I've seen is at Toys R Us where they're currently priced at $12.99.  Yesterday, Toys R Us had a "buy two, get one free" deal, so even better deals are possible.


• Syma S107/S107G RC Indoor Helicopter (MSRP $34.99 - sale): Sears has this for even less than the current sale price at only $29.99 but the best deal on Amazon for $19.95 (up from $19.58 a week ago).

Ah, yes--now we get to the adult "toys."  Tech items are poised to be hot sellers this holiday season--specifically tablets and e-readers.

Tablets/e-Readers

• iPad 2 (MSRP $499 (16GB) - $829 (64GB 3Gi) : This is sure to be one of the most popular gifts for 2011 and as such, it most likely won't be deeply discounted.  Apple products never really go on sale.  You might be able to score a discount on a refurbished or used model, but for a brand new model your best bet is to look for deals for free accessories or other add-ons.  (Update:  Best Buy will supposedly have all iPad 2s on "sale" for Black Friday--although they haven't quantified exactly how much of a discount shoppers can expect...)
  
  Walmart is offering a bundle deal (USB Wall Charger and a $5 credit for VUDU) with add-ons valued at about $20.  They also had a deal that offered a $50 iTunes gift card with iPad 2 purchase. Target recently had a deal offering a $40 Target gift card with in-store iPad purchase.  No doubt there will be more of these promotions during the holiday season, so keep an eye out.


• Kindle Fire (MSRP $199):  Amazon's entrance into the tablet wars won't be released until November 15th and so no hot deals are currently available. (Update:  Staples has a Black Friday deal offering a $20 gift card as a rebate with purchase of $199 Kindle Fire.)


• Barnes & Noble Nook (MSRP $99 Simple Touch, $199 Nook Color, $249 Nook Tablet): With the announcement of Barnes & Noble's offering of a full-fledged tablet, the prices of previous Nook versions have been reduced. You can find refurbished/pre-owned versions of the Nook Color ($149) and Simple Touch ($79) at Overstock.com, but there's a good chance that Barnes & Noble will be offering more discounts and promotions as it focuses on its iPad 2 and Kindle Fire competitor.  (Update:  Best Buy has a Black Friday deal offering the Simple Touch for only $79.99, Staples is offering a $20 gift card rebate for the Simple Touch and a $25 gift card for the Nook Color. Target will be offering the Nook Color for $199 plus $30 gift card on Black Friday.)
  


• Sony Reader PRS T1 (MSRP $149.99 basic version): Recently discounted by $20 (no doubt due to Nook price drops) to $129.99, it remains to be seen whether Sony will offer further price drops.

Digital Cameras

When searching for best prices on digital cameras, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. For example, you can find reduced prices on used/refurbished models--if that's what you're looking for. Also, some retailers sell cameras at what seems to be a deep discount because it's "body only" meaning the lens is sold separately. This can be a real savings--if you don't need a lens. But make sure you know exactly what is and isn't included when comparison shopping.

• Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 10-Megapixel Digital Camera (MSRP $399 with free accessory kit): Best current price for this camera is at Amazon where it's selling for $242.92, down from $261.51 a week ago. (Update: Overstock is currently selling it for only $238.99.)


• Canon EOS Rebel T2i DSLR (MSRP $799.99): At $594, BestPricePhoto indeed offers the price to beat on this model.


• Canon SX40HS Digital Camera (MSRP $430): Amazon boasts the best current price for this camera at $387.

GPS Navigation

• Garmin nuvi 1450LMT 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (MSRP $240): Best current deal is at PCNation where it's selling for $165.40. (Update: Target is selling this for $129 as of 11/21.)


• Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver w/ Heart Rate Monitor (MSRP $200): Boater's World has the lowest price at $129.94--but it's currently out of stock. Tiger GPS has a refurb for $129.99 and Amazon has it new for $159.97.

Video Games

A head's up to gamers (or those buying holiday gifts for gamers): Steam usually has massive sales that typically begin around December 20th, give or take a few days, and go on through the new year. Steam has digital downloads only, but they have games for as much as 90% off during the sale, and everything (even hot titles) is typically at least 25% off.

• Nintendo 3ds (MSRP $169.99): It's pretty much the same price everywhere, so look for deal sweeteners like gift cards.  Both Target and Best Buy recently had promotions offering $25 gift cards with console purchase, so keep an eye out for similar offers for Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday.  (Update: Kmart is advertising the Flame Red Bundle with Super Mario 3D Land for MSRP plus bonus $25 Gaming Coupon as part of their Black Friday deals and the Target Black Friday sale will feature it for $145. Best Buy is currently throwing in a $50 gift card with Nintendo 3ds purchase making the net price only $119.99.)


• Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB Console Holiday Bundle (MSRP $299.99): Amazon, Target and Best Buy recently had promotions offering $50 gift cards with purchase. Look for gift card or add-on incentives for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Amazon.com will be offering $100 credit for future purchases for the Xbox Holiday Bundle with Kinect (MSRP $399) on Black Friday.  (Update:  Toys R Us is offering the Xbox Holiday Bundle with a $100 gift card for $299 in-store only on November 16th and 17th! Best Buy is offering the same deal for 4GB version right now.  Also Sam's Club is offering the Xbox Holiday Bundle for $199 and the Microsoft Store has a Black Friday deal for $199 as well.)
  


• Kinect for Xbox 360 (MSRP $149.99): Best current deal is at the Microsoft Store where they're selling the Kinect Sensor in a bundle with Fruit Ninja, Gunstringer, and Kinect Adventures for only $129.99.


• Battlefield 3 (MSRP $59.99): Right now the download version is only $50.99 on Amazon, but it's supposed to be a Black Friday special for only $39.99 at goHastings.com.  (Update:  Best Buy is having a sale on the Playstation version on Black Friday for $29.99)

Other hot holiday video games this holiday season include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Batman Arkham City, Halo: CE and Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

Apple iPod Touch (MSRP starts at $199): Target's offering 10% off through 11/26 on all iPods, but you need to use the printable web coupon. Best Buy is also selling the black models for $25 and $35 off (32GB and 64GB respectively).  (Update:  Both Best Buy and Target have iPod Touch deals for about $5 off MSRP plus gift cards for Black Friday.  Best Buy is offering a $50 gift card while Target is offering a $40 gift card.  Also Toys R Us is offering a $50 gift card with iPod Touch purchase as a Black Friday doorbuster deal. Best Buy currently has the 8GB version on sale for $189.99 plus a $30 gift card with purchase making the net price $159.99.)

Motorola DROID 3 (MSRP $524.99 w/o plan, $199.99 w/plan):  Cheapest price is at Amazon Wireless for $59.99 with an upgrade. Alternatively, Costco offers the Droid 3 for $79.99, but it comes with a free screen protector, case, and car charger that might be worth the extra $20.

iPhone 4S (MSRP starts at $199):  As with most Apple products, discounts for the latest generation iPhone are sure to be scarce--especially if you're not due for an upgrade or contract renewal.  Discounts for its predecessor, the iPhone 4, may be more forthcoming.  If you already own an iPhone 4, check out Rick's blog post on how to make it more like an iPhone 4S without forking over a lot of cash.

Other hot cellphones due to be released soon just in time for the holiday season are the Droid Razr (MSRP $300 w/contract), Galaxy Nexus (MSRP $299), DROID Bionic (price cut to $119) and the HTC Rezound (MSRP $299).

A few final note on how to get the best price while holiday shopping:

1. Consider setting up Google Alerts for the "product name + deal" (e.g.; "Battlefield 3 deal")


2. Check out sites specifically targeted to collect Black Friday ads and Cyber Monday deals


3. Keep your receipts in case the price drops prior to the holiday so that you can either get a price adjustment, do a price match or buy at the lower price and return the higher-priced item


4. Speaking of returns, make sure you're fully aware of the store's policy before making a purchase. If it's the wrong size, model, color, version, you'll want an easy way to return or exchange. It's not a good deal if it collects dust in the recipient's closet.

Check back as I will continue to update this post with the best deals I find throughout the holiday shopping season.

What hot holiday gifts are you searching for? Share your wishlist and your deal scoops in the comments!