AUSTIN, Texas, May 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- May is an excellent month for shoppers to score deals on gifts for graduation, gifts for mom and even gifts for themselves to kick off the summer season. RetailMeNot data shows there are ways to save on essentials for all of the above, and even more. Shopping and trends expert, Sara Skirboll, has advice on how: "To get the best deals, shop early in May for discounted Mother's Day presents, graduation gifts and outdoor entertaining items. And when you need some rest, take heed: Mattresses are on sale this month!"

The Mother of All Gifts

Mother's Day sneaks up on the best of us. Get ahead of the holiday — this year on May 13 — to ensure the best savings possible and the best gifts for Mom! At the beginning of the month, many treats, flowers and some personalized items will be discounted anywhere from 20% to 25% off. As Mother's Day approaches, the discounts will continue to deepen, but don't wait so long that you miss out! Shoppers will be able to find savings from places like:

• Bed Bath and Beyond: Up to 50 percent off top gifts for Mom
• 1800 Flowers: Up to 50 percent off Mother's Day "Fresh From The Farm" flowers & gifts
• Shari's Berries:Up to 25 percent off Mother's Day strawberries & gourmet gifts

The Great Outdoors Await

The outdoor entertaining season has finally arrived, and as the grills start to sizzle, so do the deals! If shoppers are in the market for a new barbecue pit, consider buying in late May, closer to Memorial Day, when retailers prep for the holiday weekend with heavy discounts. Graduation parties are another excuse to have a backyard bash for friends and family. For those looking to upgrade their summertime soirée, look to retailers like Home Depot, JC Penney and Sears for savings on all types of patio furniture and decor.

• Bed Bath and Beyond: Up to 50 percent off select outdoor patio furniture
• JCPenney:50 percent off select outdoor oasis patio & accessories

Plug In to Savings

Conventional wisdom says to buy appliances in September and October. And while that holds true for washers, dryers and stoves, it's not the case for refrigerators. New models are released in May, making this a great time to take advantage of the discounts that retailers will place on older models. May is also the time to purchase small appliances like cookware and any last-minute spring-cleaning items like upright, handheld and roaming vacuums. Stock up on loads of home essentials at retailers such as Sears, JCPenney and Bed Bath and Beyond.

• Sears: Up to 40 percent off select home appliances
• JCPenney: Up to 35 percent off select major appliances
• Bed Bath and Beyond: Up to $100 off iRobot products

The Big Sleep

Memorial Day is about honoring the men and women who have given their lives for our country. But long weekends in general have come to mean something else: mattress sales. For those in the market for a new bed, May is the right time to buy. A good night's sleep is priceless, and the right mattress can make a world of difference. So whether it's a "bed in a box" or a pillow top, use the month to do your research and hold off until late May for the biggest savings. Historically, retailers like these slash prices by hundreds of dollars:

• Mattress Firm:$250 off Queen mattresses //Up to $50 cash back
• Sears: Extra $35 off $300+ on home appliances, lawn & garden, tools, mattresses and sporting goods and up to $75 cash back for online purchases sitewide

Hats Off to the Grads

Commencement speeches, the turning of tassels, new beginnings. If shoppers are struggling to find the perfect gift for their graduate, they can take advantage of sales on home decor and small appliances. But start looking for deals in early May as graduation dates differ across the country. For those needing to travel far to watch their grad walk the stage, many hotels will offer discounts to help families make the trip. For all the different types of gift ideas for the student in your world, look for deals from:

• Holiday Inn: Up to 15 percent off when booking your Graduation trip
• JCPenney: Up to 50 percent off select bedding & bath essentias

About RetailMeNot, Inc.

RetailMeNot, Inc. (https://www.retailmenot.com/corp/) is a leading savings destination connecting consumers with retailers, restaurants and brands, both online and in-store. The company enables consumers across the globe to find hundreds of thousands of offers to save money while they shop or dine out. RetailMeNot, Inc. estimates that $4.8 billion in retailer sales were attributable to consumer transactions from paid digital offers in its marketplace in 2017, more than $560 million of which were attributable to its in-store solution. The RetailMeNot, Inc. portfolio of websites and mobile applications includes RetailMeNot.com in the United States; RetailMeNot.ca in Canada; VoucherCodes.co.uk in the United Kingdom; ma-reduc.com and Poulpeo.com in France; and GiftCardZen.com and Deals2Buy.com in North America. As wholly owned subsidiaries of Harland Clarke Holdings, RetailMeNot and Valassis, a leader in intelligent media delivery, are partnering to connect retailers and consumers through meaningful digital, mobile and print promotions both online and in store.

Media Contacts: 
Hillary White
RetailMeNot
hwhite@rmn.com  
(832) 278-5615

SOURCE RetailMeNot