"Joy" Christmas Tote Bag Each year during the holidays, stores compete to draw in the shoppers. They advertise discounts, special gifts and Christmas coupons online, in newspapers, on TV and on the radio. Everyone wants to find a great deal.

But if you’ve only been looking at your local mall for Christmas deals, you’re missing out. Online stores aren’t much different than those you can walk into. Like brick and mortar retail stores, they have to offer sales to make their merchandise more enticing than their competitor’s. That’s why it’s a good idea for look for Christmas sales online.

You can shop online for everyone on your shopping list, from babies and kids to teenagers and adults. You’ll find something for everyone. And to get the best deals online, you don’t have to clip coupons or wade through ads. Just use a comparison shopping site such as Bizrate.com. Sites like Bizrate do the hard work for you by listing prices, including shipping costs, from a variety of stores so you can find the best deals.

Once you find the lowest price, you can sometimes get an even better deal by searching for coupons. Sites such as Christmas Coupons 365.com can help you find holiday deals on all types of gifts, as well as Christmas card coupons.

And if you buy online, you won’t need to worry about returns – you can just send it back to the store where you purchased it, and many online stores even provide free shipping.

Like brick-and-mortar stores, online stores often have great holiday bargains, and a smart shopper will keep an eye out for these special deals. Make sure you’re constantly watching for sales and paying attention when the prices are good.

With the money you’ll save finding a great Christmas sale online, you can treat yourself to a few gifts, too. Once you’re done with your shopping, all you have to do is wait for the delivery truck to arrive!