6 of the Best Holiday Deals at Costco

© Getty Images A woman browsing the shelves of a store and picking out boxes of holiday sweets.

Let's face it -- the holidays can be a really expensive time of the year. From travel to holiday cards to decorations, you can easily rack up a giant credit card balance from mid-November through late December even if you're doing your best to keep your spending to a minimum.

And then there are holiday gifts to consider. Not only might you want to give gifts to your loved ones, but you might feel obligated to give gifts to people like your children's teachers and the boss you report to on a daily basis. And the cost there can really add up.

If you're a Costco member, though, you may have a prime opportunity to keep your holiday expenses down. Right now, Costco has a wide selection of great holiday items in stock, some of which make really great gifts for someone else or yourself. Here are a few deals to check out this season.

1. Affordable gift baskets

When there's someone you need to give a gift to but you don't know that person all that well (think a supervisor at work or a child's teacher), sometimes, the gift of assorted food is really your best bet. Costco has a variety of affordable gift baskets in stock at its warehouse club stores. You can find something for under $30 or splurge on a $50 gift basket if you so choose.

2. Gourmet chocolates

Fancy chocolates make great gifts or stocking stuffers. Costco has a variety of festive boxes on sale right now, as well as some gourmet cookies if that's a better fit.

3. Gingerbread house kits

Building a gingerbread house is a great Christmas Day activity -- or a fun thing to do on a rainy Sunday in December. Right now, Costco is selling a gingerbread house kit at an ultra-low price point. And by "gingerbread house kit," we're really talking about a gingerbread mansion. If you have multiple kids, you won't have to worry about them fighting over who gets the largest piece since there will be more than enough to go around.

4. Heated throw blankets

Heated throw blankets make a great gift for adults and children alike. Costco has these discounted in a variety of colors.

5. Discounted kitchen appliances

If you need to stock up on kitchen tools, now's a great time to visit Costco. From food storage containers to air fryers to mixers, Costco's kitchen section is loaded with discounted items you can use to cook or bake up a storm. If you're hosting for the holidays, it especially pays to pick up the tools you need to pull off a fantastic meal.

6. Price-reduced electronics

Although electronics are a big investment, you're apt to pay less if you buy yours at Costco. Right now, you can find a host of discounted laptops, Smart TVs, and headphones. If you've been thinking of upgrading some of your home office equipment, it also pays to look at products like monitors.

Costco offers great deals all year round. But right, some of the savings you'll enjoy are truly out of the park. So it pays to stop by your local store or have a look online and scope out the many bargains Costco is featuring during the holiday season.

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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. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.