CR's Deals & Gifts Experts Talk Holiday Shopping

Join our shopping experts Mary Beth Quirk, Samantha Gordon, and Anna Kocharian for a Reddit AMA

Mary Beth Quirk, Consumer Reports Managing Editor, Shopping & Deals.

By Mary Beth Quirk
Managing Editor, Shopping & Deals

By Samantha B. Gordon
Senior Deals Editor

By Anna Kocharian
Senior Shopping Editor

October 21, 2026

3 CR shopping experts — CR's shopping experts are here to answer all your questions on holiday deals and gift ideas

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and between all the sales events, gift guides, and sheer volume of products to choose from, figuring out what’s actually worth buying can be quite the feat. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re buying gifts, home upgrades, or just a little something for yourself, we’re here to help you shop smarter.

Join our shopping editors live this Thursday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. ET for an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) session on Reddit.

Our shopping experts will answer your questions about how to cut through the holiday shopping hype, find worthwhile deals, and make smarter buying decisions.

Ask them anything about how CR vets discounts, common shopping mistakes to avoid, and thoughtful gift ideas and product recommendations for every budget.

We hope to see you there!

Mary Beth Quirk

Mary Beth Quirk is the managing editor of shopping at Consumer Reports. She has been with CR since 2011, covering the consumer marketplace to help readers shop smarter. Mary Beth earned a master’s degree in magazine journalism from New York University. A native Wisconsinite and avid cheese enthusiast, she is now based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Follow Mary Beth on X: @marybethquirk.

Samantha B. Gordon

Samantha B. Gordon is the senior deals editor at Consumer Reports. She has been covering the online marketplace for CR since 2019, helping readers save money and find the best prices on high-quality products. Previously, Samantha was the managing editor of the e-commerce team at Reviewed. In her free time, Samantha can be found crafting and playing her guitar. Follow her on X: @sam_the_editor.

Anna Kocharian

Anna Kocharian is a shopping editor at Consumer Reports who focuses on home, organization, and the consumer marketplace. She previously covered interior design, product reviews, and market trends as the digital editor of Domino. Anna has over a decade of experience in lifestyle journalism and has written extensively on the subject matter for publications including Apartment Therapy, Food52, and more. She currently resides in New York City.