Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Is there hope for finding an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 this Christmas?

Dawn Miller
By

Gaming consoles are often on the list of must-have for tweens and teens during the holiday season. Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are the latest models of the popular gaming consoles. Both were released in November 2020, but were hard to come by last Christmas. This year supply chain issues are forecasted to cause shipping delays for many of the gifts kids want under the tree. With many missing out on the latest edition of Xbox or PlayStation in 2020, those items are at the top of quite a few parents’ holiday shopping lists for 2020. With Black Friday and the holiday shopping season almost upon us, what are the chances of scoring an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 for Christmas this year?

teens having fun playing video games
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Avoid scams

Since the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are in hot demand, price gauging is a very real possibility when shopping for one during the upcoming holiday season. A basic Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 will run buyers around $500. Of course, that doesn’t include extras like a subscription, additional controllers, and a headset. But when you are seeing prices for these gaming consoles in the thousands, that is a huge red flag.

Recommended Videos

Another tip to avoid being scammed when trying to purchase an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 is to stick to reputable online retailers like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, GameStop, the Microsoft Store, and Amazon. While it may seem like a dream come true to snag a brand new or gently used Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 off of a seller on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, the reality just might be more of a nightmare. During the Christmas rush in 2020, some police departments warned residents via social media to be wary of scalpers and scammers selling coveted PlayStation 5s through online markets including Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.

Related

Odds of finding an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 this holiday season

Both Xbox and Sony are telling customers that even a year after the Series X and PS5s debuted to the gaming community, the consoles will be hard to come by for the 2021 Christmas rush. Of course, finding one is not impossible, but it will require patience and a bit of persistence. Even so, parents should have a fallback present in mind in case they’re unable to purchase either system. With that being said, here’s what to try.

Sony’s registration program

In October, almost a year after Sony released the PS5, the company announced a registration program through its website to give shoppers an opportunity to purchase a PlayStation 5 from the company. Registering doesn’t guarantee you will get the PS 5 in time for the holidays though. Only a select number of people registering will receive an email with the information to purchase a PS5 directly from Sony. Like playing the lottery, it is worth a shot. Customers wanting to try the registration program can head to PlayStation’s website for additional information and to register.

Xbox is not offering a registration program, but it does let you check the availability of the Series X console through its website. When you click on the Check Availability icon, the resulting webpage shows if the console is in stock at Microsoft, GameStop, Walmart, Target, or Antonline.

A person doing holiday shopping on their laptop with presents all around them.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Restocking

Popular gaming retailers such as Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and the Microsoft Store have been offering online restocks. The restocks have been selling out quite quickly though, leaving anxious holiday shoppers frustrated. While extremely difficult, according to YahooNews, more than 16 million consumers have been able to buy either the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X over the past year. This fact does give people some hope, especially with helpful restock trackers online to help keep tabs on when these consoles are going to have a limited restock. CNetTech offers a restock tracker which is frequently updated, letting consumers know when Walmart, Target, and Best Buy will have a limited number of PS5s available.

Join a membership program

Another way to try and get a restocking of either the Xbox Series X or the PlayStation 5 is to join a membership program for the retailer selling the consoles. One of the perks of being a member includes getting early access to restocks. Walmart Plus announced in October that members would be able to get early access to a PS5 restock. A Walmart Plus membership has a 15-day free trial and costs $12.95 per month or $98 a year. Other popular gaming retailers like GameStop and Best Buy offer similar programs. GameStop’s PowerUp Rewards membership is $15 for the year as compared to Best Buy’s TotalTech which is $200 for an annual membership.

Amazon’s Treasure Truck

If you haven’t heard of Amazon’s Treasure Truck, you’re probably not alone. This program sends text alerts for those coveted things on wish lists like an Xbox Series X or a PlayStation 5. It’s free to sign up, so it’s worth a try.

Is there hope of wrapping a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X for your gamer this holiday season? Yes, there’s always hope, but it won’t be easy given the issues impacting sales. Both companies say the supply is limited. To avoid being scammed, stick to reputable online retailers instead of Craigslist. Keeping a close watch on restocks at popular gaming sellers like Walmart and GameStop or joining a membership program is key to buying a system for the holidays. Either option just may help you score a system.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller
Contributor
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
What do those tweens want for Christmas? Holiday gifts for tweens they’ll flip for
Be the cool parent Christmas morning when you use this list of holiday gifts for tweens
Colorfully wrapped Christmas gifts.

Tweens are a whole new level for parents when it comes to picking out Christmas presents. Not little kids anymore but not quite teenagers, so shopping for tweens is a balancing act. If you have a tough-to-shop-for tween on your holiday gift list this year, or it's your first time buying for this age group, look no further. We've rounded up ideas that are sure to be a hit. No eye rolls here, just great holiday gifts for tweens that those kids will be happy to get.

Find the gift to fit your tween's personality
AirPods Pro
Air Pods are always a hit with the young kids, and with Apple there's a generation to fit your budget. A cool version of Apple's Bluetooth earbuds are of course wireless and come with a charging pod. Apple upped their game with Air Pods Pro, because not only are they more contoured and comfortable, they're noise canceling. Now your tween won't have to just pretend not to hear you when you say it's time for chores.

Read more
Baby’s first Christmas: How to commemorate and celebrate with your new addition
Here are some fun ways to honor your baby's first holiday
Baby in front of a Christmas tree

Baby's first Christmas is such a special time for the whole family. The holidays are always magical, but there's nothing better than celebrating the holidays with a new baby in the house. It's a memorable moment that every parent looks forward to, so you want to make it extra special.
There are many ways to mark the occasion of a baby's first Christmas. This is a unique time to start lifelong traditions or commemorate the first year with a new addition to your family. If you're looking for a special way to mark the holiday and celebrate with your new addition this festive season, we have some ideas that may provide inspiration.

Make a cookie plate
Go to a children's pottery studio or buy a DIY home kit and let your baby finger paint a plate that can become the annual plate to serve Santa's cookies and the reindeer's carrots. You can write the year and your baby's name as well as "Christmas" or "Santa's cookies" on the plate while your baby decorates the rest.

Read more
If your kids want AirPods this Christmas, here’s which model to buy
How to choose the right AirPods for your kids
Girl is excited about getting a Christmas present from her father.

As we approach the most wonderful time of the year again, parents are eager to get that must-have Christmas gift that's sure to delight their child. For many kids, different AirPods models are topping their wishlist this holiday season. While parents might love the idea of gifting their children something that will limit the amount of noise in the house, they may be worried about the hefty price tag attached to some of these versions.
There are a lot of factors that play into buying your children tech gifts like AirPods, but they can be a wonderful present if your child is responsible enough to take care of them. Apple does make a few different varieties of their popular AirPods, so if you're on the fence about buying your child new headphones this Christmas, here's what you need to know about the best AirPod models for kids and where to get them.

Why AirPods?
There is no mistaking the popularity of AirPods, especially amongst kids, so it should come as no surprise that they are topping many Christmas lists this holiday season. Not only are AirPods high-quality headphones, but they're often worn by a lot of influencers and social media stars that kids look up to, making them even more desirable. AirPods are the new "hot gift" to have for tweens and teens, and thankfully there are a few different models and price tags for parents to choose from.
AirPods 2nd generation
If you're looking for a great introductory pair of AirPods for your child this Christmas, the AirPods 2nd generation may be just what you're looking for. The least expensive of Apple's AirPod offerings, you can typically pick up a pair of 2nd generation AirPods for anywhere from $99 to $129. These headphones come with a comfortable, universal fit, their own charging case that gives the headphones more than 24 hours of battery life, easy setup with all your other Apple devices, and the ability to seamlessly switch between them. You also still have the ability to use Siri to do simple things like making a phone call or playing a different song. These headphones can be found in stores and online at the Apple store as well as stores like Target, BestBuy, and Walmart, where you can often grab them on sale.
AirPods 3rd generation
The AirPods 3rd generation are sure to wow and delight your tween or teen when they open them on Christmas morning! These headphones, which retail for around $169 to $189, are a fantastic gift for the tech lover in your life. These wireless headphones are water- and sweat-resistant and give the listener up to 30 hours of charging time with the mag-safe charging case. You can also get up to six hours of listening time with just one charge, making this gift ideal for anyone who is learning remotely or online this year. The 3rd generation AirPods also feature a newer, contoured design of the earbuds as well as different touch control options to use while listening. These pods are definitely an investment that should last your child for years to come.

Read more