It's time to gear up for another holiday shopping season! Retail experts from Mastercard predict that Canadian holiday retail sales will increase 3.5% from last year, even as shoppers remain cautious about inflation and economic uncertainty.
With budgets stretched, finding a good deal matters more than ever. Knowing how to shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM), in store or online, can save you time, stress, and money.
Ready to make the most of this year's sales? Here's our BFCM shopping strategy, plus tips to help you get the most from every dollar.
1. Create a holiday-specific budget
You probably budget for bills and household needs month to month. But the holidays are different, with big, unexpected expenses that tend to hit all at once and can follow you into 2027.
Before you start shopping, set a holiday budget that covers gifts plus entertaining, travel, meals, and decorations. Account for everything now, so January's bank statements don't surprise you. These simple tips will help you stay on track:
- Set spending limits per person, gift, or event to curb impulse buys.
- Track deals as they land in your inbox. If you're eyeing something specific, turn on price tracking alerts in Google (or watch prices yourself).
- Add a browser extension, like the FlipGive Earnings Extension, Rakuten, or Honey, to flag discounts, coupons, or earnings on brand websites.
- Use FlipGive gift cards to cap what you spend per store or purchase. Shop online through FlipGive to earn even more on top of your gift card.
Pro tip
FlipGive isn't just for holiday shopping. Use it year-round to maximize savings and fundraising dollars for your favourite cause! Many families easily earn hundreds annually. To see how much your household can earn in one year, try our free calculator: 
2. Make a gift list
Just as a grocery list keeps you on track when perusing the aisles of your local store, a gift list can ensure you won't get distracted or overwhelmed while shopping.
To create an optimal gift list that helps you stay on task (and on budget), consider:
- Noting previous gifts you've given. Before you head to the store, take time to write down gifts you gave in previous years. This will help you avoid giving duplicate or similar gifts to the same recipient, and it may spark new ideas for this year.
- Jotting down likes, dislikes, and preferences. Take note of your loved ones' favourite colours, flavours, or sizes.
- Taking a creative or DIY approach. Include homemade, regifted, and thrifted ideas on your gift list.
- Focusing on experiences or time together in lieu of physical gifts. Know that it's perfectly okay to scale back or give the gift of quality time instead, if you don't have enough money saved this year.
3. Navigate marketing carefully
Here's a surprising number: 84% of Canadian consumers believe retailers raise prices ahead of the big day, so the "discounts" aren't real. If you've ever wondered whether a doorbuster is actually a deal, you're not alone. Most shoppers have the same suspicion.
With so many emails, ads, and "limited-time" offers flooding in this time of year, it’s easy to get swept up anyway. Keep these in mind before you buy:
- Check the price history. Price-tracking alerts or a quick look at past prices will tell you whether a sale is really a sale.
- Look past free shipping. 78% of shoppers say free shipping sways them, but it can hide a higher base price or push you to add items just to qualify.
- Don't let the calendar rush you. BFCM isn't your only chance to save, so don't make a poor financial decision if a deal doesn't fit your budget.
4. Know when to wait
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have a reputation for rock-bottom prices, but not everything is at its lowest price during this time. Additionally, retailers that don't hit their sales targets can come back after Cyber Week with even deeper discounts.
So when should you buy what? It depends. CAA North & East Ontario recommends timing your purchase based on its category:
- TVs: November
- Electronics: November or March
- Toys and games: October
- Appliances: October, January, or June
- Clothing: at the end of any season
- Furniture: August
- Mattresses: Black Friday, Boxing Day, or Labour Day weekend
If something on your list isn't a necessity or standout, you might want to wait.
With so many price fluctuations throughout the year, the smartest move is pairing your shopping trip with earnings on every purchase, no matter when you shop. That’s where FlipGive fits in! Earn cashback for your organization across hundreds of brands—all year long.
Learn more about how FlipGive works, and encourage your preferred school, sports team, music program, place of worship, or non-profit to start a free program today.
