Shoppers at a U.S. Mall
Shoppers at a U.S. mall looking for bargains. REUTERS

Columbus Day can be a controversial holiday in the United States due to the explorer’s mixed legacy, but it’s also a day off work and school for many people. That means it’s time to get started on some early holiday shopping and take advantage of Columbus Day sales.

This holiday weekend won’t have the extreme sales you’ll find on Black Friday, but you can still find great bargains if you go about your shopping in a smart way. We scoured the Internet to find some of the best deals offered over the Columbus Day weekend. Here are the 35 best deals we found.

Department Stores

Barney’s Warehouse: All clearance items automatically get an extra 40 percent off in your cart, and some purses and shoes are 40 percent off, too. Most regular clothing items and accessories as well as home and kids items get 30 percent off. Plus, there's free shipping on all U.S. orders. The deals ends Oct. 14.

Bloomingdale’s: Save 20-75 percent online and in store, and take an extra 20-50 percent off already reduced items. You'll get an extra $15 off purchases of at least $125 with the code OCT15OFF.

JCPenney: There’s a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $25 or more in stores, and the code SPRINGER will get you the same deal online. The code SPANIEL can neet you 20 percent off with a JCPenney Credit Card, an extra 15 percent off with any other payment method, and an extra 10 percent off some items such as watches, furniture and mattresses.

Kohl’s: Get 20 percent off your purchase with promo code COLUMBUS20 in stores or online.

Macy’s: Take 10-20 percent off sale and clearance items with the coupon code FALL until Oct. 12. This code will also give you an additional 15 percent off jewelry, clothing, shoes and home items, as well as 10 percent off sale electronics and watches. Get free shipping on orders of $75 or more.

Sears: Save up to 50 percent on select items across the site through Oct. 10. You can also take $5 off most orders over $50 with coupon code SEARS5OFF50, $10 off clothing orders over $50 with FALLSALE, or $35 off $300 with SEARS35OFF300.

Apparel And Shoes

Abercrombie: 40 percent off all items, in stores and online.

Aeropostale: Extra 30 percent off everything with code BDAY.

Amazon: Up to 60 percent off across the site.

American Eagle: Shop the AEO Collection and buy one, get one 50 percent off; clearance items are an additional 50 percent off.

Anthropologie: Take 20 percent off dresses with the code DRESSCODE at checkout.

Ann Taylor: Get 40 percent off full-price styles with the code SHOPFALL online and in stores.

Bath & Body Works: Snag $10 off $30 with the code 10FORFALL.

Banana Republic: Take 50 percent off select styles and 40 percent off the rest of your purchase when you use the code BRSAVE online and in stores.

The Children’s Place: Everything is 40 to 50 percent off, and shoes are 30 percent off online -- no code necessary.

DSW: You'll net $10 off $49, $20 off $99 and $40 off $199 when you use the code COLUMBUSDAY online.

Eddie Bauer: Everything is up to 50 percent off through Oct. 12. Get free shipping on orders of $99 or more.

Express: Take $25 off every $100 you spend with the code 123 and all outerwear, sweaters and jeans are 40 percent off. Get free shipping on orders of $125 or more.

Gap: Buy three or more items and you’ll save 40 percent; buy 2 items and save 30 percent; or buy one item and save 20 percent -- all with the code MORE online. Plus, there's free shipping on all orders over $50.

H&M: Save up to 60 percent off online purchases and in stores through Oct. 12.

J. Crew: In stores and online, you can get 30 percent off full-price styles and an extra 40 percent off final-sale styles with the code WEEKEND. Plus, get free shipping on orders over $150.

The Limited: Take 60 percent off select styles, 50 percent off full-price items and an extra 40 percent off all sale items online. You get free shipping on orders of $125 or more.

Lord & Taylor: Free shipping is available on every order, and take 20 percent off regular and sale items when you use the promo code COLUMBUS through Oct. 12. There are also deals on certain types of clothes, such as up to 60 percent off women’s sportswear and 50 percent off men’s suit separates.

Nine West: Buy one get one 50 percent off online purchases and in stores.

Shoebuy.com: Get 20 percent off with the code SAVETODAY at checkout, plus free shipping.

Urban Outfitters: Snag 30 percent off all sale items through Oct. 12, and if you’re an Urb On Insider, you get 40 percent of all sale items.

Victoria’s Secret: Take $15 off $100, $25 off $150, or $50 off $250 with the code FALL2015.

Home

Crate & Barrel: The mega chain is offering up to 40 percent off fall clearance and 20 percent off window curtains.

Lowe’s: Take 10 to 25 percent off select major appliances valued at $399 and up, plus free next-day delivery.

Pottery Barn: Get up to 60 percent off home décor and furniture.

Target: Take up to 35 percent off bed and bath sale items, plus $5 off $50 with the code TGTHBKRW.

Williams-Sonoma: Save up to 65 percent on regular items and take an extra 20 percent off clearance items. Plus, get free shipping on orders of $49 or more with the code SHIP4FREE.

Electronics

Best Buy: Extra 20 percent off a regular-price small appliance with the code SAVE20 – and free delivery.

Office Depot / Office Max: Take 20 percent off qualifying purchases with the code 20OFFODOMX41. Get free delivery on $50 orders.

Staples: Save up to 50 percent on Columbus Day Deals and 25 percent on other products with the code 1525FALL.