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Toy prices have risen 6.6% in the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index from September. They jumped 4.7% between August and September alone, before seasonal adjustment.
That doesn't mean you can't give everyone on your list the gifts they've been asking for. The right credit card can earn cash back or points on purchases, and some offer a 0% intro APR period to help you spread out the cost. The best cards also offer purchase protection against theft or damage and extend the manufacturer's warranty on eligible items.
CNBC Select has rounded up some of the most in-demand gifts of 2026 and matched each with a credit card that can help you save.
New cardholders receive an Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers and a generous 1.5% cash back everywhere (at minimum).
See rates and fees. Terms apply. Member FDIC.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus. Plus, if you pair it with a premium Chase credit card that allows point transfers, you can convert your cash back into flexible travel rewards.
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Switch 2 is the big-ticket gift for gamers in 2026, and the more a gift costs, the more protection matters. In addition to earning 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no categories to track, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
That means if you purchase it with the card, you're covered if the console is damaged or stolen soon after you buy it or if it breaks after the manufacturer's warranty expires.
Nintendo Switch 2: $499.00 on Amazon.com
3% cash back on goods or services purchased directly from Apple (including Apple retail stores, the Apple online store, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music and other Apple-owned properties) on Uber and UberEats, at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, on the Walgreens app and on Walgreens.com, in T-Mobile stores, at Nike, at Exxon and Mobil stations and at Panera Bread, 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases
If you're buying AirPods straight from Apple, the Apple Card is a good choice. It earns 3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases, and that cash shows up daily instead of at the end of a billing cycle.
Apple also regularly offers 0% interest installment plans for Apple Card holders on Apple devices, which can give you breathing room to pay off a pricey gift.
AirPods Pro 3: $199 on Amazon or $249.00 on Apple
Access above average rewards for groceries and gas, plus receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable.
You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back
See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures. On top of that, you also have access to an intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers. So this card can help you save in a variety of ways.
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
If there's a Gen Alpha child on your list, there's a good chance they're obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters. The singing dolls made The Toy Insider's Hot 20 list, and kids will probably be asking for the whole set. That's why we like the Amex Blue Cash Everyday: It has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns 3% cash back at online U.S. retailers up to $6,000 per year in spending (then 1%), so you can earn rewards on the whole squad.
KPop Demon Hunters Singing Fashion Dolls: $26.98 to $31.98 on Amazon
See rates and fees. Terms apply. Member FDIC. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
This 962-piece set is the Christmas splurge for Star Wars fans, letting them recreate the Throne Room duel with Emperor Palpatine, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader as lightsabers shine and "The Imperial March" hums in the background. Amazon often discounts Lego sets during the holidays, and the Prime Visa stacks savings on top of those deals. Earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases with an eligible Prime membership.
Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Throne Room Duel and A-Wing: $124 on Amazon
When paired with a Walmart+ membership, you can earn up to 5% cash back at the popular big box store
20.99% or 31.49% depending on creditworthiness and other factors
Terms apply. Information about the OnePay CashRewards Card has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
The OnePay CashRewards Card is a great option to pair with a Walmart+ membership, earning elevated rewards and having no annual fee.
Pokémon is turning 30, and diehard collectors are hunting for this deluxe anniversary box. You can find it at Walmart starting at about $130 and, if you already pay for Walmart+, the Walmart OnePay CashRewards Card earns unlimited 5% back on Walmart purchases in-store and online. That's about $8 back on this gift alone. Some applicants are approved for the Walmart Spend Card instead, however, which doesn't earn rewards.
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box: from $131.99 at Walmart
Choosing the right card is only one way to stretch your holiday budget. Here are a few more ways to save:
Hot toys often sell out, and resellers raise prices once they do, so buying early can save you money. Before you start, though, decide how much you'll spend so early shopping doesn't turn into overspending.
Open-box items have been opened, usually because they were returned or used as a display, but they're still in new or nearly-new condition. Overstock items are products a retailer ordered too much of and needs to clear out. In either case, you can usually get these products at a discount.
Kidsy sells open-box and overstock toys and children's gear from brands like Lego, Graco and UPPAbaby, and claims shoppers can save up to 60% off retail.
Check prices at Amazon, Target and Walmart before buying. Then layer a retailer sale, a shopping portal or card-linked offer and your card's rewards.
If you're interested in opening a credit card for holiday shopping, the right card can earn you rewards off the bat. Most of the cards we've listed come with a first-year sign-up bonus, and high-spending seasons are a great time to earn one.
The average APR on new credit cards hit 23.96% in October, according to LendingTree data, up from 23.82% in September. Carrying a balance can quickly wipe out the rewards you earned, so if you need time to pay off a big purchase, a card with a 0% intro APR is a better option.
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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