Before we start talking 2023 bargains (which we all need this year, given that January’s inflation number weighed in at a whopping 6.4%) let’s take a little trip back in time to understand why Presidents Day sales have always been a thing. For starters, George Washington loved to buy the latest fashions — especially clothes, shoes and home furnishings, according to David Head, associate lecturer of history at the University of Central Florida and the author of “A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution.”
Head notes that in 1885, when Washington’s birthday became a national holiday, department stores were experiencing rapid growth across the country. But then, as now, sales generally ebbed in February, after the holiday rush. A “Washington’s birthday”-themed sale was a way to “gin up excitement during an otherwise slow season,” Head writes, noting a 1908 edition of the Boot and Shoe Recorder that “captured the attitude perfectly.” It states: “Shoe Retailers Should Impress Their Customers With the Fact That Colonial Gentlemen Took Much Pride in Their Apparel — Washington Was a Liberal Shoe Buyer.”
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In other words, retailers have been looking for creative ways to draw us into stores since there have been stores to draw us into…We should have known. Here’s a look at where to find the best Presidents Day bargains in 2023.
So, Where Are All The Presidents Day Bargains In 2023?
In February, all the the holiday celebratory dust has officially settled, so retailers know you’re likely buying for yourself or your home, says Dr. Jane Boyd Thomas, professor of marketing at Winthrop University. So, rather than finding Presidents Day bargains on smaller items, like accessories or bath and beauty products, you’re more likely to see bigger purchase options with slashed prices, like electronics, mattresses, and other home essentials. With that said, February is also prime time for retailers to move merchandise that may have been overlooked during holiday shopping in November and December.
“I wouldn’t settle for much below 25%-30% off appliances, 40-50% off clothing, and 25% off mattresses (more if you’re shopping for mattresses in store),” says Saundra Latham, senior staff writer at Cheapism.com. Beyond the price itself, consumers should also keep in mind supply chain issues (which are still a thing for some retailers and products) and, of course, inflation. While there are bound to be great appliance deals, Latham says, “discounts might not be as great as they were in previous years.”
Karen Hoxmeier, Owner of MyBargainBuddy.com, suggests putting special focus on end-of-season sales—and at this time of year, this means winter coats, holiday decorations that still haven’t been moved, space heaters and anything that maybe isn’t holiday-themed but was likely packaged as a holiday gift, such as scented candles, crafting kits, coffee table books, and jewelry. Hoxmeier is a fan of scouring the clearance section, where she looks for birthday and holiday gifts throughout the year and then sets them aside for the perfect person or moment.
The 10 Best Presidents Day Bargains for 2023
- Target is going hard on electronic sales this year. They’re offering 50% off video games, and 25% off TVs and streaming systems. (And if you’re looking for specific electronic items, you can find JBL’s wireless earbuds $50 off and the Fitbit Charge $20 off.)
- If you want mattresses, Casper has 20% off sitewide, Nest Bedding has 50% off some mattresses, and Saatva has $500 off everything.
- If you’re looking for furniture and home décor, check out Anthropologie’s 30% off sale (we love their glassware!) and apt2b, which has 15% off everything… And if you wanna be a really big spender, the discount goes up to 30% if you spend anything over $5,499. (Which we know is a lot, but if you’ve been waiting to furnish an entire house, the discount could totally be worth it!)
- Check your closet. If you need some new clothing, shoes or accessories for spring, you might want to check out sales at DSW and J.Crew. At DSW, you’ll get 15% off purchases over $49, and as much as $60 off purchases of $199. Use the code “JUSTTODAY” to snag the discount online. And then at J.Crew, the code “WEEKEND” will get you 40% off this weekend on select items. (Generally the nicer pieces like leather riding boots or wool suiting will not be included in the discount, but it’s always worth checking.)
- Cooking up some healthier meals in 2023? If so, you might want some new pots, pans or appliances to make that happen. French cookware maker Le Creuset has 20% off dinnerware, and Sur La Table has a ton of items on sale, plus 20% off everything with the code “SAVE20.” Also, if you’ve yet to jump on the Instant Pot bandwagon, their 6-quart version is now $179, down from $230 at Macy’s, and the Nespresso VertuoPlus coffee maker (the kind that uses the bigger flat pods) is marked down from $199 to $159 at Wayfair.
Online vs. In-Store?
While mattresses and bigger-ticket home appliances may be cheaper in-store, that doesn’t mean other items will be. You’re just as likely to find deep discounts on electronics, clothing and accessories online as you are in-store.
“I highly advise looking for a coupon whenever you shop online,” Hoxmeier says, noting that RetailMeNot and Offers.com are two of the best places to check if you don’t immediately see anything popping up on the website when you arrive.
Bodge regularly checks out browser extensions and apps. One of her favorites is Slickdeals.net, which is a website, app, and browser extension. She appreciates their deal alerts which give you a heads up when a specific item is on sale. Her other current favorites are CouponCabin.com and Rakuten.com.
Of course, there are plenty of other options out there as well. Bodge advises, “No matter what site you prefer, make sure you install their browser extension because otherwise, you are leaving money on the table.”
So, Why Have Mattresses (of all things) Always Been On Sale Around Presidents Day?
Typically, people just don’t buy mattresses between October and December, Thomas explains. And as best as she can tell, mattress companies hooked onto the three-day Presidents Day weekend in the 1960s and ‘70s and started promoting their wares. Since then, mattresses have been a common sale item for the weekend.
Of course, various presidents’ consumerism and retailers’ surplus doesn’t demand you redo your boudoir, or anything else. Saundra Latham, senior staff writer at Cheapism.com, reminds us to consider whether we actually need something, or whether we’re just buying it because it’s on sale. But, she notes, this weekend can be a good time to buy, “especially if you are in the market for those bigger-ticket items.”
“Competition is particularly fierce among mattress retailers, especially because bed-in-a-box businesses like Casper have taken a big chunk out of traditional sellers’ profits,” Latham explains. This means deeper discounts for us… And we’ll take it 🙂
MORE ON HERMONEY:
- The Hidden Risks of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Services
- 3 Bad Spending Habits to Kick to the Curb Once and For All
- How to Make Fast and Cheap Furniture Purchases Even With Supply Chain Problems
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