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Experts recommend starting holiday shopping as early as September or October to spread out spending and avoid stress.

Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are hosting large sales events in early October.

Creating a detailed gift list and setting a firm budget are key strategies to prevent overspending.

The biggest traditional holiday sales events are Black Friday on November 28, 2025, and Cyber Monday on December 1, 2025.

It might feel early in the season, but October is actually the perfect time to kick off your holiday gift shopping spree. The USA TODAY Shopping team is here to help you make the most of it. While early birds used to shop ahead just to beat the crowds and avoid stock issues, today’s savvy shoppers know that starting now means scori

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