The top items to buy in May

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Mother's Day is just around the corner, and you can make mom feel like a queen without having to spend a fortune.

There are several items that are best buys in May, which includes Memorial Day, when stores really slash prices. There are also two other big dates you may not know about.

May the 4 is Star Wars Day, hyped this year with the highly anticipated release of "The Force Awakens." And that means deals on all things Star Wars.

"You're going to see Star Wars T-shirts, accessories, toys, and video games, all on sale," Dealnews.com founder founder Dan DeGrandpre said.

Dan says his website's research shows what won't be on sale are traditional gifts for Mom. Mother's Day is May 10, so items like jewelry and perfume will be priced high.

Your best bet for a gift is spring clothing.

"Light sweaters and dresses that are going to usable all year long," Dan said.

Prices will fall even lower on spring stuff toward the end of the month, and you'll be skipping to stores for up to 75 percent off Memorial Day sales.

"Memorial Day is the 25th of May," Dan said. "So if you're looking to buy Spring apparel, Memorial Day is the best day of the year."

Mattresses will also be marked down in May. And if you need to get away, wait one more month. Dan says Caribbean travel dips to its lowest in June, but May is a great time get geared up.

Innovation luggage manager Evelyn Negron says look for discontinued colors or styles to save the most on bags. And if you're going away, you'll need a good book to read on the plane.

Saturday May 2 is Independent Book Store Day, so at Books and Greeting in Northvale, you can get your read on with an actual book and save.

"We're having buy one book, get half off," owner Kenny Sarfin said.

So buy a book instead of a Nook, but if like to read on a tablets or laptops, wait until next month.

Believe it or not, June begins back-to-school sales, even though kids are still in class, stores like Apple begin promotions by the end of the month.