Cyber Monday: What To Buy And What To Leave

Cyber Monday is the Monday straight after Black Friday. It started as the online-only half of the weekend and is now mostly the same sale with a different name.

That's useful: if the weekend got away from you, almost nothing is lost. Prices on most gift categories hold through Monday night.

It's also the last comfortable point to finish Christmas without paying for express delivery in mid-December.

What tends to be better on the Monday

• Anything digital - software, subscriptions, games, streaming.
• Stock that didn't move on Friday, often discounted further.
• Smaller independent shops, who run the weekend as one sale.
• Gift sets, as retailers clear what's left of the weekend allocation.

Finish the Christmas list

• The three people you always leave until last - do them now.
• Cards for family, friends, neighbours and the work list.
• Secret Santa, before somebody starts a group chat about it.
• Teacher and neighbour gifts - candles and small boxes.
• Wrapping paper, tape and labels, which always run out.

Delivery and returns

• Check the returns window - weekend purchases often get an extended one to January.
• Save every order confirmation in one folder.
• Use a work or neighbour address for anything you don't want seen.
• Order card and gift together to save on postage.
• Post cards by the second week of December for first class.

When to stop

• When the list is done, close the tabs. There's no prize for more.
• If you're buying it because it's cheap, not because it's for someone, it's not a saving.
• Anything still in the basket on Tuesday morning was never wanted.

Shop Christmas cards

Pin badges

A small extra that ships with the card as one order.

How to write it so it lands

• Finish the list, then stop - the deals will come round again next year.
• Order the cards with the gifts so everything arrives in one go.
• Write the cards the week they arrive, not the week they're due to post.

Where to shop next

• Last minute birthday gift ideas
• Birthday gifts by budget
• Anniversary gift ideas for him and her
• Valentine's gift ideas
• Valentine's night in ideas
• Black Friday gift shopping tips
• Cyber Monday shopping guide
• Anniversary card messages
• Valentine's card messages
• Birthday cards
• Anniversary cards
• Christmas cards
• Black Friday deals
• Cyber Monday
• Pin badges
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

When is Cyber Monday?

The Monday immediately after Black Friday, so the last Monday in November or the first in December depending on the year.

Is Cyber Monday better than Black Friday?

For digital goods, subscriptions and leftover stock, often yes. For headline electronics deals, the Friday usually wins. Most gift categories are priced the same across both.

Is it too late to buy Christmas cards on Cyber Monday?

No - it's about four weeks before Christmas, which is plenty of time for first class post and early enough to actually write them.

Do Cyber Monday orders have longer returns?

Many UK retailers extend the returns window into January for November purchases, but it isn't automatic. Check before you buy anything that might need sending back.