Retailers offer gift ideas, low cost meals for holiday season

CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons and Target are among the retailers putting out holiday lists, gift ideas and low cost holiday staples and meals.

With holiday spending expected to reach record levels this year and many looking to do their shopping early, retailers are responding.

To make this year easier for shoppers, CVS Pharmacy just released their first-ever Top Holiday Gifts List, which includes nearly 40 gifting finds from popular trending brands and many options that are new or exclusive to CVS. 

The list spans top brand toys, trending beauty, surprising stocking stuffers, festive décor and all the (jingle) bells and whistles needed for the holiday dash. Check out the full list here. 

Here are a few notable highlights: 

• Holiday Barbie - $49.99: Marking the 35th anniversary of Holiday Barbie, this doll is here to celebrate the most festive time of the year in a champagne-colored satiny dress featuring a tulle skirt overlay shimmering with gold stars. 
• e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide - $10.00: This primer has been trending on TikTok for good reason. Not only does it keep makeup locked in place, but it helps to smooth skin and brighten dullness. 
• Lego Star Wars Boba Fett - $22.99: This buildable Star Wars action figure is designed to be easy to put together so the action play starts fast! It’s a great interactive gifting find for kids and LEGO lovers this year. 
• CVS Supermarket Shopping Cart: - $19.99: Have a little CVS fan in your family? This adorable shopping cart comes well stocked with six pretend grocery items including boxed and canned goods. 
• Sqoosh2Poof Unicorn - $39.99: The gigantic pink unicorn is made from extra soft plus material, it grows to 3 times the size out of the box. 
• Melissa & Doug Catch & Count Fishing Game - $34.99: Catch some laughs and learning with this wooden magnetic play set. Kids can use the spinner to play as a game or just have fun collecting the pieces over and over again! 
• CVS Health Custom Whitening System - $129.99: This personalized, at-home teeth whitening system is just as effective as in-office whitening treatments at your dentist’s office. 

Rite Aid also is getting into the holiday mood with gift ideas.

Noting that there’s no denying the holidays are an unforgettable time of year, Rite Aid said it is offering a one-stop-shop solution for cherishable memory-making that keeps the “happy” in Happy Holidays.

Acquaintance Gift Guide
Rite Aid buying gifts for others can be a difficult and draining task, so to help ensure consumers sleigh gifting this year, it has compiled a unique set of gift guides for the trickiest people. At a range of price points all readily available at Rite Aid, these Acquaintance Gift Guides offer sure-to-be-loved ideas, the retailer said. 

A local Rite Aid is a holiday shopping destination with bountiful gift options at various price points. Ranging from household essentials to coveted children’s toys, a wide selection of gift cards to spirits and wine, or even spa and facial treatments, there is something perfect for everyone, the retailer said.

For the beauty aficionados, RYSHI added festive flare to some of its fan favorites like face masks and makeup applicators, and even unveiled new limited-edition products like hand lotion, bath bombs and a holiday advent calendar. Ello Market is dishing out holiday specialties like hot chocolate novelties, candy canes and even gingerbread house kits. Pawtown, Rite Aid’s exclusive line of pet products, offers a variety of festive, playful options.

Holiday Shop
Holiday celebrations span the entire month of December. To help make these festive activities fun and stress-free, Rite Aid launched its virtual “Holiday Shop,” providing a range of tips, ideas and products the whole family can enjoy, like Ello Market’s gingerbread house kits and hot cocoa balls. From holiday décor must-haves to baking and cocktail recipes, gift guides and remedies to ensure a happy and healthy holiday season, there is no limit on the inspiration awaiting consumers within this curated collection, Rite Aid said.

Albertsons shoppers are set to revel in 12 days of digital savings on a different items ranging from poinsettias to spiral ham and even 50% off assorted holiday toys.

Running from Dec. 14 to Dec. 25, customers can now clip a daily digital deal, valid for one day only. To redeem these exclusive daily deals, participants can become members of the forU program and download the complimentary app. It's important to note that the coupon must be downloaded to the customer's forU account before purchase and is a one-time-use opportunity on the specified date.

12 Days of Savings deals:

Wednesday, Dec. 14 Only

• Deal: Poinsettia
• Digital Coupon Price: $6.99 ea
• Pot Size: 6 in
• Limit: 1
• Everyday Price: $9.99

Thursday, Dec. 15 Only

• Deal: Signature SELECT Variety Cheesecake
• Digital Coupon Price: $5.99 ea
• Size: 16 oz
• Limit: 1
• Member Price: $9.49

Friday, Dec. 16 Only

• Deal: Signature SELECT Whipped Topping
• Digital Coupon Price: $0.99 ea
• Size: 8 oz, Frozen
• Varieties: Selected varieties
• Limit: 1 Total
• Member Price Up To: $1.79

Saturday, Dec. 17 Only

• Deal: Signature Farms Baby Potatoes
• Digital Coupon Price: $0.99 ea
• Size: 1.5 lb. bag
• Limit: 4 Bags
• Member Price: $2.99

Sunday, Dec. 18 Only

• Deal: Signature SELECT Spiral Sliced Ham
• Digital Coupon Price: $1.99 lb
• Type: Bone-in
• Availability: While supplies last
• Limit: 1 Ham.

Monday, Dec. 19 Only

• Deal: Assorted Christmas Toys
• Discount: 50% Off
• Limit: 2 Toys Total
• Varieties: Selected varieties

Tuesday, Dec. 20 Only

• Deal: King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
• Digital Coupon Price: $2.47 ea
• Size: 12ct, 12 oz
• Varieties: Selected varieties
• Member Price: $4.00
• Limit: 2 Total

Wednesday, Dec. 21 Only

• Deal: Chex Cereal
• Digital Coupon Price: $0.99 ea
• Size: 12-14 oz
• Member Price: $2.99
• Limit: 3 Total

Thursday, Dec. 22 Only

• Deal: Nabisco Oreo Cookies
• Digital Coupon Price: $1.88 ea
• Size: 7.9-15.35 oz
• Varieties: Selected varieties
• Member Price: $3.49
• Limit: 1 Total

Friday, Dec. 23 Only

• Deal: Korbel Sparkling
• Digital Coupon Price: $8.99 ea
• Size: 750 ml
• Varieties: Selected varieties
• Single Member Price: $14.43
• Limit: 6 Total

Saturday, Dec. 24 Only

• Deal: Signature SELECT Coffee
• Digital Coupon Price: $2.97 ea
• Size: 10-12 oz bags or 12 ct k-cups
• Varieties: Selected varieties
• Member Price Up To: $7.99
• Limit: 2 Total

Sunday, Dec. 25 Only

• Deal: Bagged Avocados
• Digital Coupon Price: $1.96 ea
• Size: 7 ct. bag
• Member Price: $3.99

While gifting “twelve drummers drumming” might be a festive way to enjoy the season, Albertsons/Safeway also is celebrating 12 days of holidays by offering shoppers 12 delicious meal bundle deals for only $12 each.

The 12 Days of Holiday Meal Bundles Deal kicks off on Dec. 1, starting with the ingredients to make an organic spaghetti dinner and continues through December, with items for tasty feasts including family favorites such as pesto pasta, lasagna, roasted chicken and more!

The deal is available on the For U app via a special coupon, with all 12 meals grouped together for ease. Meal bundles, which include 3-4 products, will be released on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and are valid for three days (No bundle released on Christmas Day).

12 Days of Holiday Meal Bundle Deals:

• Friday, Dec. 1 – Organic Spaghetti - O Organics: Beef, greens, sauce, and spaghetti
• Monday, Dec. 4 – Fish Tacos - Cod Fillets, tortillas, salsa, and sour cream
• Wednesday, Dec. 6 – Fried Chicken Dinner - Bucket of deli fried chicken, ready-made frozen mashed potatoes and mac and cheese
• Friday, Dec. 8 – Burgers - Buns, Romain lettuce, beef and cheese slices
• Monday, Dec. 11 – Sausage & Veggie Sheet Pan - Sausage, potatoes, mushrooms, green beans
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 – Organic Pesto Penne Rigate – O Organics: pasta, peas, pesto, and olive oil
• Friday, Dec.15 – Shrimp Fried Rice - Shrimp, rice, broccoli, and flavored sauce
• Monday, Dec. 18 – Organic Tacos – O Organics: taco seasoning, corn shells, cheese, and beef
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 – Lasagna - Family size Signature select frozen lasagna, romaine lettuce and salad dressing
• Friday, Dec.22 – Salmon Filets - Salmon filets, frozen broccoli, pesto sauce
• Wednesday, Dec.27 – Roasted Chicken - Rotisserie chicken, mixed frozen vegetables, and macaroni salad
• Friday, Dec. 29 – Pizza & Wings – Signature SELECT: frozen pizza, wings and ice cream

Target also is showing its holiday spirit. The retailer announced that its popular holiday meal under $25 deal is back, helping guests plan, prep and enjoy a feast with loved ones without breaking their budget this holiday season. Now through Dec. 25, guests can shop the holiday meal under $25 deal online and in store, including delicious ham and fixings to serve four:

• Good & Gather Russet Potatoes - 5lb
• Good & Gather Frozen Gold & White Corn Blend
• Favorite Day Demi French Bread
• Market Pantry Hickory Smoked Spiral-Cut Bone-In Ham - 6lb
• Favorite Day Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
• Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Del Monte Cut Green Beans

"Our guests turn to Target during special seasonal moments for that combination of value and joy that sets us apart," said Rick Gomez, chief food and beverage officer at Target. "We saw that again over Thanksgiving, so we're building on that success by delivering even more of what they love: a delicious holiday meal for under $25. And when you add in our free curbside pickup service, and Same-Day Delivery via Shipt, we're making it easier than ever for our guests to get their shopping done so they can spend more time celebrating with loved ones."

On top of Target's holiday meal under $25, the retailer is offering hundreds of new seasonal items, with half of the holiday food and beverage assortment under $5. Here's a taste:

• $5 desserts and sides: For those craving even more options, the retailer is serving up a variety of sides and desserts for $5 each, from Good & Gather Broccoli and Cheese Veggie Tots to Roasted Frozen Sweet Potato Chunks, Favorite Day Holiday Peppermint Bark and Holiday Sea Salt & Milk Chocolate Caramels desserts.
• Marks & Spencer: Target's collaboration with iconic British retailer Marks & Spencer also returns, offering an expanded selection of gourmet food and beverage gifts.
• Gifting and gathering: To make moments with family, friends and loved ones extra memorable, Target's offering a variety of food and beverage items perfect for holiday entertainment and gifting. Whether guests are looking for the perfect hosting gift like the Favorite Day Truffle Box with Gift Card Holder or are planning a cozy night in with the Favorite Day Holiday Mini House Gingerbread Kit, there's something for everyone.

Target is helping guests not only save money, but time, too. For its holiday meal under $25 deal, everything is available in one spot on Target.com. Guests can simply "add to cart" and check out online, then choose from several pickup and delivery options: pick up in-store, take advantage of free Drive Up where team members bring orders right to guests' cars or get doorstep delivery through Same-Day Delivery with Shipt. (A $35 order minimum is required, and deliveries are free for Shipt members or $9.99 per order for guests without a Shipt membership). Plus, guests can pay for eligible grocery items with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in store or via Target.com, mobile payment options or via the Target app.

This article has been updated.