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, Best Buy, Macy's, Target, and Walmart to find out what's at the top of readers' wish lists. From appliances to home decor and toys, Cheapism readers know a good thing when they see it.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$15 from Walmart
Shop Now
Star Wars toys are always hot, but Baby Yoda from "The Mandalorian" is THE hot item this holiday. This particular wish-list must-have is a new spin on the BopIt! games. Test your ability to remember and then follow instructions — bop, pull, twist, whatever the Mandalorian commands — or lose your turn.
Related: 50 Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids
$11 from Amazon
Shop Now
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
$8 from Amazon
Shop Now
Scratch art is an endless beautiful surprise, and readers have made this one of their favorite toys this year. The kit includes 125 notes kids can “write” with a wooden stylus, revealing a rainbow of color underneath. Not even the artist knows what the final picture will look like, which is a lot of the fun of scratch art.
Related: Creative Gifts for Artists That Are Sure to Inspire
$13 from Amazon
Shop Now
Know someone with a green thumb? Give 'em one of these 3-in-1 soil meters, and they'll never over- or under-water their houseplants again. While they're at it, they can check soil pH levels and measure sunlight levels to ensure their plants are always happy.
$125 from JCPenney
Shop Now
It's hard to go wrong with classic stud diamond earrings, which are an annual holiday steal at JCPenney (they were marked down to $25 on Black Friday and may still be on sale.) They feature a tiered diamond design set in a sterling silver prong setting. The stones add up to 1/10 carat total weight.
$10 from Amazon
Shop Now
You know that cold-weather season has arrived when people begin buying products like this one. Put a stop to under-door drafts, light leaks, dust, and bugs with this silicone, adhesive-backed rubber strip. It measures 39 inches long, can be trimmed with scissors, and is available in four colors.
$18 from Amazon
Shop Now
Who said you need fancy technology to make cool stuff? Create imagery without using a camera: Just place objects on the photo-sensitive paper, expose to sunlight, then rinse with water.
Related: The Best Gifts for Photographers from Newbies to Pros
$9 from Amazon
Shop No
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 long-time Cheapism reader favorite and they do a good job of removing random pet hairs, plus they're a natural alternative to chemical-based dryer sheets.
Related: Do Wool Dryer Balls Really Work as Well as Dryer Sheets?
$100 from Macy's
Shop Now
Buyers snapped up this 25-piece knife set on Black Friday, when it was marked down by more than 50%. The polypropylene handles feature sharp stainless steel blades, and each knife includes its own sheath. Blade sizes range from a 3.5-inch paring knife to an 8-inch carver.
$20 and up from Amazon
Shop Now
All those gadgets you're buying need to be plugged in somewhere. This best-selling grounded PowerPort Cube has three high-speed USB ports and three multi-prong electrical outlets, a 5-foot cord, and an adhesive pad so you can stick it underneath a desk and keep cables out of the way.
$15 from Amazon
Shop Now
The only thing more outrageous than this rocks glass, handmade in the U.S.A. by BenShot, is the story you can tell about how you came to own it. Picture this...
$7 from Amazon
Shop Now
Give that eco-conscious, tumbler-toting friend a set of reusable straight and angled stainless steel straws. It includes straws sized for 20- and 30-ounce tumblers, plus two cleaning brushes.
$20 from Amazon
Shop Now
When it comes to top-selling board games, Exploding Kittens is king. From the creators of the satirical web comic The Oatmeal comes this strategic but zany game that's great for kids and adults. Already got it? Check out the expansion packs: Imploding Kittens and Streaking Kittens.
$6 and up from JCPenney
Shop Now
These quick-dry towels earn all-around praise from reviewers who say they're soft and durable without being bulky. They come in enough colors to match just about any bathroom.
$44 from Amazon
Shop Now
This Cheapism favorite was the No. 1 product among readers on Prime Day, and readers continue to buy them this holiday season. With three heat settings, Revlon brush can untangle, smooth, curl, and add volume to hair with ease. Bonus: The base swivels to keep the power cord out of your way.
Related: The Most Popular Items Our Readers Bought on Amazon During Prime Day
$18 from Best Buy
Shop Now
This new release is the most affordable Fire TV stick, and while you don't get TV controls or 4K support, you get the same easy access to streaming content for less than $20.
$15 from Amazon
Shop Now
Whether you're baking, grilling, or frying, an instant-read thermometer will guarantee that food comes out perfectly cooked every time.
$129 from Amazon
Shop Now
The popular 23andMe DNA testing kits were a top seller during the 2019 holiday season, and readers have made them a popular gift this year, too. It was marked down to $99 on Black Friday and can be found for less than its usual $199 price if you look carefully.
Related: Fun Gifts for the Entire Family
$10 from Amazon
Shop Now
This handsome book allows RVers to catalog their memories and make notes of things they liked — or didn't — about specific campgrounds. Were the bathrooms dirty? Did the camp store have tons of good stuff? Your RVers can jot it all down. There's also a maintenance log section in the back.
Related: Gifts for RV Owners That'll Put 'Em on the Road in Style
$15 from Amazon
Shop Now
Search for it on eBay
Play-Doh has been a holiday favorite for generations, but its newest creations are weirder than anything your parents or grandparents played with. That may explain why it has been sold out constantly this holiday. The six-pack contains Play-Dohs that sparkle, crackle, squish, ooze, and more.
