When the holidays roll around, Cheapism readers get set to shop because they know they'll find some of the best bargains of the year. We took a look at what they're buying most from Amazon, Macy's, Target, and Walmart to find out what's at the top of readers' wish lists. From appliances to toys, Cheapism readers know a good thing when they see it.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$12 from Amazon
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This modest kitchen gadget has been another hot seller (pun intended). Anyone who drinks coffee, cocoa, tea, or any other beverage that tastes better warm will be happy to plug this in beside them if it means fewer trips to the kitchen.
Related: Perk 'Em Up with These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers
$15 from Amazon
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Crayola crayons are a perpetual bestseller among Cheapism readers, and this particular kit is one of the most popular. In addition to 152 colorful crayons, it comes with a crayon sharpener and caddy to take your colors with you.
$228 from Walmart
TCL has become a staple among the value-oriented name brands, and your couch spud would appreciate this hugely if you were to splash for this set. If you want to go even further, you could add a nice upgrade with a Roku voice-control remote.
Related: Black Friday Has Already Arrived on Amazon — See the Early Deals
$30 from Amazon
With this “stealth learning” toy, kids create marble mazes that have a pre-set goal around where the marble needs to end up. The game includes 60 challenges from beginner to expert, a game grid, nine towers, a target piece (where the marble is supposed to finish its maze), and three marbles. The game develops spatial reasoning and planning skills, math skills, and critical thinking.
$9 from Amazon
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No matter how diligent you may be with your pet hair rollers and lint removers, vacuums and brushes, there are bound to be stray hairs that just will not let go of your clothing. These wool dryer balls have been a longtime Cheapism reader favorite because they do a good job of removing random pet hairs and are a natural alternative to chemical-based dryer sheets.
Related: Do Wool Dryer Balls Really Work as Well as Dryer Sheets?
$67 from Walmart
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Want a Keurig, but don't need the bells and whistles? This is as cheap as we've ever seen one. It brews three cup sizes in less than a minute, and comes with an easy-to-fill 36-ounce reservoir. Remove the drip tray to fill taller travel mugs.
Related: Perk 'Em Up with These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers
$10 from Amazon
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This thoughtful set will make a coworker feel pampered with five all-natural products: a deep cleansing cream, hand salve, body lotion, food cream, and lip balm.
$10 from Amazon
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Are you bad at reading your boss or coworkers? Do you always interrupt and feel horrible? This playful flip board displays phrases such as "You are in my space & I feel threatened," or "Dude! Waaay too much to do right now."
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$9 from Amazon
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A multiwick candle can give off a surprising amount of heat and light if you're stranded in cold weather (just don't forget the matches — wooden are better than cardboard because fingers get stiff and clumsy with the cold). This soy-wax candle can burn for 36 hours and comes in a reusable aluminum tin.
$179 from Walmart
Perfect for kids, teens, and occasional users, this Chromebook is a cheap and convenient way to browse the web without giving up a keyboard. It features a 32GB hard drive, 4GB of memory, and an Intel Celeron processor.
$8.50 from Amazon
Whether he's a whiz in the kitchen or his culinary skills rise only to the occasion of toast, he'll likely appreciate this 176-page cookbook filled with ramen "hacks." Recipes include a ramen goulash, black bean ramen, and even ramen nuggets. With a foreword by Samuel L. Jackson, you know it's gonna be good.
Related: Clever and Practical Cookbooks to Give Everyone on Your Gift List
$12 from Macy's
At this price, you can give an entire houseful of ratty towels the heave-ho. Choose from six colors.
$25 from Amazon
Journaling can relieve a lot of angst, of which she'll likely have plenty over the next few years. Set her up for journaling success with this kit, which includes a 70-sheet journal she can customize with stickers, gems, and more.
Related: The Best Gifts for Writers (and Not One Pen — We Promise)
$10 and up from Amazon
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Henleys make great base layers for working outdoors, and thousands of Amazon buyers give Hanes the thumbs-up for their comfortable cotton fabric. Available in 12 colors.
$99 from Walmart
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Snag a robotic vacuum for less with this sweet sub-$100 deal and help a friend outsource some of their daily drudgery. It’s suitable for carpet and hard floors and can be controlled with a smartphone app or voice assistant.
$10 from Amazon
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With this field guide, the prepper on your list will improve skills relating to kit-building, tool-manufacturing, food cooking and foraging, and more. "The advice in this book can help you live comfortably and manufacture tools from nature," Gear Junkie wrote.
$6 from Amazon
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First made in 1955, this simple but classic toy uses a magnetic wand to move metal filings like hair follicles around a bald cartoon face. Even after inspiring several knockoffs, Wooly Willy survives as a toy because it's creative, entertaining from a young age, and still wonderfully cheap.
$35 from Amazon
Turn any dumbbell (up to 55 pounds) into a kettlebell simply by snapping one of these molded grips onto the handle. Bonus: They’re made in the U.S.A. and come with a lifetime warranty.
Related: 25 Gift Ideas for Guys Under $25
$198 from Walmart
Wamart’s cordless tool brand, Hart, has debuted to strong reviews, and this combo kit is one that will form the backbone of any handy person’s tool collection.
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