Toys & Games

Toy prices are set by the holiday calendar. Retailers publish their top-toy lists in October and discount them in waves through November, with the lowest prices usually in the second half of November and a rebound before Christmas as stock thins. Video games discount steadily after launch, with the largest cuts at Black Friday and in publisher sales on digital stores.

Target Circle, Walmart rollbacks and Amazon's toy deals cover most branded toys; LEGO discounts most at retailers rather than on LEGO's own site, which instead offers gifts with purchase. For games, compare physical and digital prices, since they move independently, and check console bundles against buying separately.