Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool

Like it or not, the holiday season is upon us and soon to be in full swing. And in the coming weeks, you may find yourself doing a fair amount of shopping to complete your ever-growing gift list.

You could turn to a big-box store like Target for your holiday shopping. But here’s why you may want to rely on Costco instead.

1. You can return items pretty much whenever you want

Many retailers offer an extended return policy during the holidays. At Target, for example, most electronics purchased between Nov. 7 and Dec. 24 get a return window through Jan. 24, 2025.

But Costco’s flexible return policy gives you even more leeway to bring back holiday purchases well after late January.

At Costco, you can return almost any item at any time for a full refund. And while electronics are an exception to the “bring it back anytime” rule, you still get 90 days to bring back items in that category. That gives you plenty of time beyond the end of the holiday season to make returns.

2. You can load up on unique and affordable gift baskets

Gift baskets make a great gift because they’re fun and loaded with items your recipients probably wouldn’t buy for themselves. And the nice thing about food gift baskets in particular is that once the items they contain are eaten, your recipients don’t have to worry about making space in their homes.

Costco carries a wide range of gift baskets online and in stores that can suit different budgets. As just one example, though Nov. 30, you can purchase Costco’s Happy Holidays Tower of Sweets for just $29.99, which is $10 off the regular cost. It features a mix of cookies, hard candies, and chocolates that are sure to delight any recipient.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, shipping and handling is included in that $29.99 price. So there’s no need to worry about an upcharge when you go to check out.

3. You can save serious money on gift cards

Gift cards make great gifts for the holidays because they take up virtually no space (and in some cases, no space at all if you send them electronically). You also give your recipients the option to use their gifts at a time that’s convenient for them.

Costco carries a host of gift cards that it sells for less than their face value, allowing you to save a lot of money. For example, right now, you can enjoy the following restaurant gift card deals:

• $100 worth of TGI Friday’s gift cards for $79.99
• $75 worth of Subway gift cards for $59.99
• $100 worth of Domino’s gift cards for $74.99

Whether you’re looking to express your gratitude to your kids’ teachers, thank your house cleaner, or treat your teenage nieces and nephews to a little something without breaking the bank, turning to Costco for gift cards could be a great bet.

Shopping at Costco for the holidays could take away some of the stress while helping you stick to a budget. And if you use the right credit card to pay for your purchases, you can enjoy even more savings. Click here for a list of the best credit cards to use at Costco so you can reap added rewards in the course of completing your holiday gift list.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.