Your Complete Guide to Macy's Holiday Sales

Are you ready to tackle your Christmas shopping list and find the perfect gifts without breaking the bank? Macy’s is a holiday shopping staple, and their Christmas deals can offer incredible savings. This guide will walk you through their major sales events, top product categories, and smart tips to help you save big.

Understanding the Macy's Holiday Sale Calendar

Macy’s doesn’t just have one single “Christmas deal.” Instead, the savings happen in waves throughout the season, starting well before December. Knowing when to shop is the first step to maximizing your budget. The key is to watch for their major named sales events, which offer some of the best prices of the year.

The Kickoff: Black Friday Sales

The holiday shopping season at Macy’s traditionally kicks off with their Black Friday event. This is no longer a single-day affair. You can expect deals to start appearing online and in-store as early as the week before Thanksgiving.

  • What to Expect: This is when you’ll find “doorbuster” style deals on a huge range of products. Prices are often slashed significantly for a limited time.
  • Top Categories for Black Friday:
    • Small Kitchen Appliances: Look for deep discounts on popular brands like Instant Pot, Ninja, and Keurig. It’s a fantastic time to buy an air fryer, a new coffee maker, or a blender.
    • Home Goods: This is a great time to buy high-quality bedding and towels. Look for deals on comforter sets from brands like Charter Club and Martha Stewart Collection. You can also find great prices on dinnerware and cookware sets from Pyrex and Cuisinart.
    • Winter Apparel: Macy’s typically offers major markdowns on winter coats, sweaters, and boots for the whole family. Brands like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Michael Kors are often featured.

The Online Rush: Cyber Monday Deals

Following the Black Friday rush, Cyber Monday (and often the entire “Cyber Week”) focuses on online-exclusive offers. While many deals overlap with Black Friday, you can sometimes find unique discounts, especially in electronics and beauty.

  • What to Expect: This sale is all about shopping from the comfort of your home. Expect site-wide promo codes and special deals that are only available on Macys.com or through their app.
  • Top Categories for Cyber Monday:
    • Beauty and Fragrance: This is a prime time to buy gift sets from top brands like MAC, Clinique, and EstĂ©e Lauder. Fragrance sets from designers like Dior and Versace are also popular and often come with a free gift with purchase.
    • Fashion: Look for special online-only deals on designer handbags, watches, and fine jewelry. It’s a great time to snag a gift from a premium brand at a lower price.
    • Tech and Gadgets: While not a primary electronics retailer, Macy’s often has deals on smartwatches, headphones, and other tech accessories during this event.

The Insider’s Secret: Friends & Family Sale

One of the most anticipated sales is the Macy’s Friends & Family event, which usually happens a couple of times a year, including once during the holiday season (often in early December).

  • What to Expect: This sale is different because it’s typically a percentage-off coupon that applies to a wide range of regular, sale, and clearance items. The discount often even applies to brands that are usually excluded from promotions, like certain cosmetics and fragrances.
  • How to Maximize It: The key here is to “stack” the percentage-off coupon on top of already reduced prices. If a sweater is already 40% off, applying the additional Friends & Family discount can lead to massive savings.

Key Gift Categories to Watch

When making your gift list, keep an eye on these departments, as they consistently offer some of the best value during Macy’s Christmas sales.

For the Home Chef

The home department is a goldmine for gifts. Cookware sets from All-Clad or T-Fal, stand mixers from KitchenAid, and knife sets are always popular. Don’t overlook smaller items like festive serving platters or high-quality food storage containers, which make excellent, practical gifts.

For the Fashion Forward

From cozy cashmere sweaters by Charter Club to stylish winter coats, the apparel selection is vast. During the holidays, you can find great deals on designer handbags from brands like Coach and Kate Spade New York. The jewelry department also shines, with significant markdowns on everything from diamond earrings to fashion watches.

For Beauty Lovers

Macy’s is famous for its beauty gift sets. These bundles offer a collection of products (like lipstick sets, skincare routines, or fragrance samplers) for a price that’s much lower than buying each item individually. They come beautifully packaged and are ready for gifting.

Pro Tips to Save Even More at Macy's

Finding the sale is only half the battle. Use these strategies to ensure you’re getting the absolute best price possible.

  1. Join Macy’s Star Rewards: This is their free loyalty program. Even at the base “Bronze” level (which requires no minimum spend), you earn points on every purchase that convert into “Star Money” you can spend like cash. Members also get a special birthday surprise and access to bonus offers.
  2. Use the Macy’s App: The app often has exclusive offers and coupons that you won’t find elsewhere. It also makes it easy to track your Star Rewards and keep your coupons organized in the “Wallet” feature.
  3. Sign Up for Emails: Be the first to know when major sales are starting by subscribing to their email newsletter. They’ll send alerts and often include exclusive promo codes directly to your inbox.
  4. Look for Rebates: Many small appliances and cookware items come with mail-in rebates, especially around Black Friday. This is an extra savings step that many people forget, but it can save you an additional \(10 to \)30 on your purchase.
  5. Choose In-Store Pickup: If an item is available at your local store, choosing to pick it up can help you avoid shipping fees, especially on smaller orders that don’t meet the free shipping threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Macy’s holiday return policy? Macy’s typically extends its return window for purchases made during the holiday season. For example, items bought in November and December can often be returned well into January. Always check their official website for the specific dates and policies for the current year.

Can you stack coupons during Macy’s Christmas sales? It depends on the offer. You can often apply one main promo code to your order. However, you can usually use your earned Star Money on top of most coupons for extra savings. Read the fine print on each coupon to see its exclusions.

Does Macy’s offer gift wrapping? Yes, Macy’s offers gift boxing for a small fee on many items purchased online. You can also purchase gift boxes and bags in-store. For some online orders, you can add a personalized gift message for free.