When you see the holiday displays twinkling around all the stores, it means it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. Starting your holiday shopping now – yes, now – is a great idea for a few reasons. 

First, start early to avoid delays! Last year the holiday season was affected by supply chain and shipping issues. This year anticipates the same, so start early to avoid oncoming chain and shipping delays. Also, when you shop popular items before November, you don’t risk your most-wanted wish list items – the ones they’ve been talking about all summer and now into autumn – will be out of stock. 

Budget-wise, starting early means you can plan your holiday shopping in chunks so you’re not spending a lot at once. Be sure to divide higher priced items between multiple purchases, so you’re not buying the most expensive items at once. 

The last reason to start your holiday shopping is that Ibotta has huge cash back offers starting now! Plus, with a little insight on what’s going fast and has cash back, you’re going to make this the biggest cash back holiday season yet.

16 gifts to buy early (with cash back)

October 10th: Hot deals

The earlier, the better! These gifts are perfect as part of your early shopping. Catch these great gifts during the Ibotta Hot Deals event the week of October 10th with 2X the cash back through the 16th.

Ulta, 6% cash back. Get them excited for the holiday countdown with this Limited Edition Holiday 24 Day Advent Calendar from NYX Professional Makeup. With 24 products to try, they’ll find a new favorite to buy the full-size in 2023.

ACE Hardware, 6% cash back. Instant Pot Duo Crisp Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker 8 qt Black/Silver is sure to please. Air fryers are still an extremely popular item on wish lists! No need for more things to store somewhere around the kitchen. They’ll swoon over this 11-in-1.

Expedia, 4.5% cash back. Have you booked your holiday trip, yet? Whether you’re going home for the holidays or taking a holiday away, now’s the time! Expedia has great package deals for whatever trip you’re taking.

Hotels.com, up to 7% cash back. With the boosted cash back from Ibotta and Hotels.com’s hotels deal finder, you’re sure to book a great room with great savings. Book during the Hot Deals event so you don’t miss out on as much cash back as possible!

Under Armour, 6% cash back. A lightweight and comfortable cleat to start the 2023 track season off full of savings! These unisex HOVR™ Shakedown Track Spikes come in a warm terracotta color to spark a fire of inspiration even in cooler weather. 

If your wish lists don’t involve exercise, these fleece joggers come in 10 colors – for everyone who likes to lounge.

A pink polka dot gift box with a pink ribbon on top

October 17th: Ibotta Days

Mark your calendar for 10/17 through 10/23 – It’s time again for the best savings across the web with Ibotta Days. Ibotta Days in October is a great yearly starting point for you to get a headstart on holiday needs, and with bigger cash back than usual, with 4X the savings!

Melissa & Doug, 8% cash back. This extremely popular 2021 item is back on the list of hot toys – it’s the Wooden Brew & Serve Coffee Set! Your little ones will feel part of your special morning routine with their own recipe cards and cups to play along. 

If you’re not quite ready for your children to act so adult, the best-selling Dust! Sweep! Mop! set will have them adorably “cleaning” up the house around you. 

QVC, 10% cash back. Bartesian Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine is still a very popular item since Oprah put this on the map 3 years ago! We’ll call this one a gift with super benefits, since you’ll get to test a cocktail, too.  

Groupon, 12% cash back. The Powermax UV-C Phone Sanitizer Box is perfect for keeping their phone clean all winter – and all year long. 

Groupon has great options for personalized gifts, too, which are always better to order early due to the extra time it takes to customize your special gift!

Crocs, 12% cash back. Crocs make every season and event fun! We’re definitely loving the classic lined clog, and these Neo Puff Luxe boots are sure to sell out fast! For those going crazy for soccer (or Ted Lasso), check out this perfect 5-pack of soccer-themed Jibbitz™ charms.  

BareMinerals, 10% cash back. This Clean Beauty Countdown advent calendar is 12 days to winter skin perfection. Half of the items in this surprise set are full-size top products by BareMinerals! But a warning – they might not be able to wait to open one day at a time.

JC Penney, 10% cash back. There’s a huge rise in handheld after-workout and deep tissue massagers becoming a household staple in 2022. The Sharper Image muscle massager is a great gift for everyone who made this year their year of wellness or has big fitness plans for 2023. 

For the little ones on your gifting list, items with the Cocomelon theme are very popular. Nab the new Cocomelon Learning Bus with learning letters, sounds, sound association, and more.

While you’ll definitely get inspired to shop some of these goodies right now, don’t forget to start your online shopping with Ibotta. Download the free browser extension or shop through our app today – Happy (early) holidays!