Planning for Christmas and other December holidays early in the year is usually wise. But this year, growing concerns over tariffs could make early shopping even more important. The U.S. may see price increases on a wide range of goods—from toys and electronics to sneakers and clothing—if tariffs remain in place.
Many shoppers are now considering whether they should buy holiday gifts sooner rather than later.
The possibility of higher costs is prompting experts to recommend getting a head start, even before major mid-year sales events like Amazon’s and Walmart’s “Christmas in July” promotions. By the time those sales arrive, many products could be affected by tariffs, especially items imported from China.
President Trump recently stated that China would “probably eat those tariffs.” However, financial and retail experts disagree. They believe most of the added costs will be passed on to consumers.
“In most cases, the additional cost will filter down to the customer, which is why everyone is so concerned,” shopping expert Trae Bodge told Today.
Major toy companies such as Mattel, Lego, and Hasbro may raise prices. The CEO of Basic Fun, a company that makes Tonka trucks and Care Bears, warned that tariffs could lead to a toy shortage this Christmas. He mentioned one toy that could rise in price from $30 to nearly $70.
Online retailers based in China, like Temu and Shein, have already started raising prices. According to Bloomberg, Shein’s prices have increased by as much as 377%.
For now, U.S.-based retailers still have inventory unaffected by the new tariffs. That means shoppers may still find deals on electronics, toys, appliances, and clothing. Memorial Day sales could be a good opportunity to buy before prices go up later in the year.
