Like it or not, the holiday season is approaching and will soon be in full swing. You may find yourself doing plenty of shopping in the coming weeks to complete your ever-growing gift list.

You can head to big stores like Target for your holiday shopping. But that’s why you might want to rely on Costco instead.

1. You can return items almost any time you want

Many retailers offer extended return policies during the holidays. For example, most electronic items purchased at Target between November 7 and December 24 have until January 24, 2025 to be returned.

But Costco’s flexible return policy gives you even more leeway to bring back your holiday purchases after the end of January.

At Costco, you can return almost any item at any time for a full refund. While electronics are an exception to the “return anytime” rule, you still have 90 days to return items in that category. This gives you plenty of time to make a return after the end of the holiday season.

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

Gift baskets make a great gift because they’re fun and filled with items your recipients probably wouldn’t buy for themselves. What’s especially nice about food gift baskets is that your recipients don’t have to worry about making room in their homes once the items they contain are eaten.

Costco offers a wide variety of gift baskets to suit different budgets online and in stores. Just as an example, on November 30 you can snag Costco’s Happy Holidays Dessert Tower for just $29.99; this is $10 off the regular cost. It contains a mix of cookies, hard candies and chocolates that are sure to please any recipient.

If you’re wondering, shipping and handling are included in that $29.99 price. So you don’t have to worry about the additional fee 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 almost no space (and in some cases, no space at all if you send them electronically). You also give your recipients the option to redeem their gift at a time that is convenient for them.

Costco carries a number of gift cards that it sells for less than face value, saving you a lot of money. For example, you’re currently eligible for the following restaurant gift card deals:

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

If you want to express your gratitude to your children’s teachers, thank your house cleaner, or treat your young nieces and nephews to a little something without breaking the bank, turning to Costco for gift cards can be a great bet.

Shopping at Costco for the holidays can eliminate some of the stress while helping you stick to your budget. You can enjoy even more savings if you use the right credit card when paying for your purchases. Click here for a list of the best credit cards to use at Costco so you can earn additional rewards as you complete your holiday gift list.