All the Best Amazon Prime Day Deals So Far

The countdown to Amazon Prime Day is on, but the deals are starting now. This year’s mega sale event runs from July 16 at 12pm PST/3pm EST through July 17. You need to be a Prime Member to avoid FOMO and score all the promotions, so sign up for membership here or start a 30-Day Free Trial. Stock up on phone chargers and snacks — which you can also conveniently buy on Amazon — and get ready to shop. Here are all the best deals you’ll find leading into and on the big day (act quickly — many of these are limited time offers).

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What are you buying for Prime Day? Share your best shopping deals with us @BritandCo.

(Photo via Jorge Villalba/Getty)

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Now that Halloween is officially over, it’s time to lean into all things holiday cheer. My favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit is decorating my space to match all the cookie decorating parties, gift wrapping sessions, and holiday cocktail hours to come this winter. But I’m one to do this on a budget – I often hit the thrift store for Christmas decor. When I’m not there, I’m scouring Amazon for pieces that are cute, but still take it easy on my wallet.

These are the best Amazon Christmas decorations I found that don’t cost an arm and a leg, but rival styles you’d find at more upscale stores like Anthropologie and Nordstrom:

Amazon

Peiduo Small LED Light Birch Trees

These tiny trees lit by twinkly LED lights are perfect for topping your mantle or dinner table. I think they add just the right amount of whimsy to your space, no matter how you decorate with them! They're not necessarily Christmas-specific, either. Their simple design allows you to spruce 'em up in all kinds of ways year-round. Similar pieces at Target and Anthropologie range from $21 $68 for one tree, but you can get two trees for just $25 on Amazon right now.

Amazon

Plaid Throw Pillow Covers

Plaid – specifically red plaid – is timeless when it comes to Christmas decor. It never fails to make a space extra cozy! These 18x18-inch covers are perfect for throw pillows on your bed and couch alike. You can snag this set of 2 in a few other holiday-ready colorways for just $10, and they'll likely last you a while with the right care.

    Amazon

    Artgar Real Touch Pine Garland

    If you have a mantle, use it! A mantle is prime real estate for Christmas decorations like stockings, candles, and cards – but none of that is truly complete without a good garland! This 6-foot faux pine garland can easily span your mantle to fill in any negative space and simply make things cozier. It comes with attached LED lights (no wall plug necessary, just a few batteries) as well as pinecone accents to make the garland itself feel fuller. Plus, $30 isn't so bad for a statement piece like this!

    Amazon

    Vintage Bow Decorative Tray

    This piece reminds me of a tray Pottery Barn Teen and LoveShackFancy sells in their collaborative collection, except it literally costs $60 less. It's not a total dupe, but the one thing it does have in common is bows: the most adorable reference to gifting season! I think this $9 pick could be so cute as a serving platter for Christmas desserts or even as a festive catchall you keep on your coffee table throughout the holidays.

    Amazon

    Kate Aspen Retro Floral Drinking Glasses

    The intricate design on these green-tinted glasses really has me hooked. They'd look so good with any sort of Christmas party tablescape – as long as you're sipping Christmas cocktails out of them! A similar set of 6 is currently being sold on Quince for $48. This one's only $26.

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    Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

    There's nothing more satisfying than starting your Gilmore Girls rewatch at the beginning of fall. There's just something about the crisp air paired with Amy Sherman-Palladino's quick, witty banter that just feels so right! And while you brew another pot of coffee, pile up the Lorelai-inspired junk food, and put on another episode, just know — none of this was accidental! Gilmore Girlscreator, Amy Sherman-Palladino told The Hollywood Reporterexactly why the show is so incredibly fall-coded.

    The CW

    Sherman-Palladino told The Hollywood Reporterthat she and her husband (co-creator Dan Sherman-Palladino) decided to take a fall trip to Connecticut right after Gilmore Girls finally sold. "We encountered that small-town feel, that feel of hayrides and pumpkin patches and hot apple cider. It almost felt ridiculous — the jaded woman that I am, I was like 'This is like central casting laid this out for us. People don't live like this,'" she said. "But they do in some places, and that creatively fed me the rest of the show. Most of the show is about Lorelai [Graham] creating this world that she and her daughter [Bledel] can both grow up in together."

    I love the idea that Lorelai created this whimsical, almost storybook world for Rory for them both to grow up in. Because at the end of the day, Lorelai lived with rigidity and rules — only to leave that life as a child raising another child. So of course she would want to incorporate all the fun and fantastical things she felt like she missed out on. (BRB, sobbing)

    The CW

    Not only that, but fall is a very visceral season. Sherman-Palladino explained that the shift from summer to fall is "the most drastic change." She said, "It's temperature, but it's also visual, and it felt like this was the kind of place, if I was going to go through that journey, that's where I would set it. And when we shot the pilot, it was fall and it was cold and had that feeling, so it just sort of became our thing."

    This means that Rory and Lorelai's constant growth and transformations throughout the show is always underscored by the shifting seasons, starting with fall from the very beginning and continued through A Year In The Life. The thematic through-line is just too good!

    Leave it to our fave Amy Sherman-Palladino to cook up something that's both fun, funny, heartwarming, and incredibly on-theme down to the literal weather of it all. BRB while I continue my own rewatch and wait for Étoileto finally premiere!

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    Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

    If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

    Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

    When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

    Kaboompics / PEXELS

    The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

    Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

    Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

    Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

    Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

    Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

    Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

    If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

    The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

    Where should I shop for gifts?

    Ron Lach / PEXELS

    You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

    Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

    In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

    Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

    Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

    Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

    Kaboompics / PEXELS

    Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

    At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

    We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

    What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

    Kaboompics / PEXELS

    The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

    “Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

    Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

    Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

    “My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

    When is Black Friday?

    Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

    Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

    When is Cyber Monday?

    Kindel Media / PEXELS

    Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

    Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our best 2024 gift guides, shopping advice, and all things holiday!

    Outer Banks season 4 part 2 drops November 7, and theories are swirling around our favorite Pogues — is Sarah pregnant? Will JJ die? Will the group FINALLY get their hands on some treasure (and NOT lose it?). While we have a ton of questions about what's going to go down on the OBX this week, creators Josh & Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke just gave us one huge piece of news: Outer Banks season 5 will be the final season.

    The season 4 finale, which Tudum reveals will be the first feature-length episode, “sets the stage for an epic fifth and final season,” the trio says. Here's everything you need to know aboutOuter Banksseason 5. Bring it on home John B.!

    Will there be a 5th Outer Banks?

    Yes, we're getting a fifth and final season of Outer Banks coming to Netflix soon. While we don't have an official release date yet, we're expecting to see the last installment in 2025 or 2026.

    In their official letter "to all Pogues," creators Josh & Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke explain how a photo of teenagers on a beach during a power outage inspired them to create the hit show we've all come to know and love. "From this beginning, we imagined a mystery that would lead to a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting, and friendship," they say in an official letter. "At the time, seven years ago, it seemed impossible that we would really get to tell the whole five season story, but here we are, at the end of our fourth season, still chopping away."

    "Now, with a little sadness, but also excitement, we're putting Season Four behind us and turning to Season Five, in which we hope to bring our beloved Pogues home in the way we imagined and planned years ago," they continue. "Season Five will be our last season, and we think it will be our best yet. We hope you'll join us for one more paddle out to the surf break."

    I can't wait to see Outer Banks season 5, and TBH five seasons will round out the show perfectly considering each season focuses on a different Pogue. That means season 5 will probably focus on Sarah — which totally supports those season 4 pregnancy rumors! 👀 Stay tuned for all the OBX5 info you need to know.

    Here's Every Shocking Detail You Missed In Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 in case you don't have time for a rewatch ;).

    Where the Gilmore Girls cast leads, I will follow, which includes numerous roles on shows like Étoile, The Handmaid's Tale, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and now Shrinking. Season 2 of Harrison Ford's hit show premiered on Apple TV+ October 16, and one of our favorite GG actors is making an appearance: Kelly Bishop! She's starring as none other than Harrison's ex-wife Susan. The thought of these two onscreen together makes me giddy — talk about a power duo! Here's when Kelly Bishop will be on Shrinking season 2, and everything else you need to know about the new season.

    • Shrinking season 2 premiered on Apple TV+ October 16.
    • While season 1, which follows a therapist who begins telling clients what he really thinks after he experiences tragedy, was about grief, season 2 focuses on forgiveness.
    • Kelly Bishop will guest star as Paul's (Harrison Ford) ex-wife Susan in episode 5.

    When will Kelly Bishop guest star on Shrinking season 2?

    Beth Dubber/Apple/EW

    Kelly Bishop will guest star as Susan in episode 5, which drops on Apple TV+ Wednesday, November 6. And thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we have a look at her character! “We always knew we were going to bring Paul’s ex-wife in because the second season was a lot about dealing with your past," creator Bill Lawrence tells EW. "And you can’t really move forward until you deal with your past."

    "This season is about forgiveness," he continues. "Her arrival is a huge component because it’s tied into Paul’s family, and getting to hear, through Kelly, why he’s estranged from his daughter and what he feels guilty about was a great thing for his character."

    There are two sides to every story, and let's just say I'm excited to hear Susan's side of things after hearing Paul's perspective for so long! And it looks like I wasn't the only one who could tell Kelly and Harrison are the ultimate duo. "We knew Kelly, just from having been fans, could definitely not only stand up to Paul, but even just dropping in for a few scenes, immediately feel like his equal and someone that could give as much as she got," Bill says. "Man, we love that combo of the two of them."

    "This was the first time I had the pleasure of working with Harrison Ford," Kelly Bishop told EW. "I found him professional, amiable, and a delight to work with." I wouldn't expect anything less.

    Where can I watch season 2 of Shrinking?

    Shrinking Season 2 Release Date

    New episodes of Shrinking season 2 are available to stream on Apple TV+ every Wednesday. Catch up on the first four before episode 5 drops this week!

    How many episodes are there? 

    Shrinking Season 2 Episodes

    Shrinking season 2 will have 12 episodes total, and had a surprise two-episode premiere Tuesday, October 15. Here's when you can watch each episode:

    1. “Jimmying” on October 15
    2. “I Love Pain” on October 15
    3. "Psychological Something-ism” on October 23
    4. “Made You Look” on October 30
    5. “Honesty Era” on November 6
    6. “In a Lonely Place” on November 13
    7. “Get in the Sea” on November 20
    8. “Last Drink” on November 27
    9. “Full Grown Dude Face” on December 4
    10. “Changing Patterns” on December 11
    11. “The Drugs Don’t Work” on December 18
    12. Finale on December 25

    Who's in the Shrinking season 2 cast?

    Shrinking Season 2 Cast

    In addition to Kelly Bishop (who's now my favorite cast member), the cast of Shrinking season 2 includes Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Christa Miller, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley.

    What is Shrinking about?

    Shrinking Season 2 Plot

    Shrinking follows grieving therapist Jimmy, who throws policy & training out the window after his wife is killed by a drunk driver and starts to tell his clients what he really thinks. But as he makes these huge changes in people's lives, he realizes just how much his own is changing, too.

    “When you pitch a show, half the time you’re dancing with sparklers and you’re not sure if you’re going to do what you said. You’re just trying to get somebody to agree to put it on TV,” Lawrence tells TV Insider. “But we pitched the first season as dealing with grief. And the second season, we pitched to these guys as forgiveness. In your head, you’re like, what does that mean? What does that look like? But I think anybody that’s a fan of the show will realize it’s not just for one person.”

    And season 2, while focusing on forgiveness, also sees the fallout of Jimmy's choices — like how Grace is now in prison for pushing her abusive husband off a cliff or how Jimmy's relationship with his daughter Tia is still far from healed. Tune into the rest of Shrinking season 2 to see how that forgiveness plays out.

    Check out Everything Coming To Apple TV+ In 2024 for more!