December sales are a mixed bag for shoppers. You're liable to find a sackful of gifts, a few necessities and some leftovers sporting attractive new price tags.
And this month, the sale options range from glittering extravagance (diamonds, anyone?) to the deliciously down-to-earth (fruits and nuts). When it comes to getting the best deals on December retail bargains, time often is money, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation. No matter what your faith, you're likely to find your deepest discounts during the 10 days before and after Christmas, he says. With retailers trying to woo last-minute shoppers, prices from Dec. 15 on "are really competitive," he says.
Looking for a bargain this month? Here are about a dozen items on which consumers can likely score a good deal in December.