They decided to change things up a bit. As probably only I bother to remember, for the last two years, MCR released a whole bunch of holiday stuff on the same day and had most of it sell out during the first few hours after launch. In the second year, they made a few items Facebook-Only for a week (although everyone eventually found the direct links) and then released them to the main catalog -- where they sold out within hours. But the key was that everything went up (and typically out) on the same day.

This year, they've been advertising Twelve Days Of Christmas: one brand, one day, repeat eleven more times. No word on how many items for each brand, what the redemption limits per item are, if any rewards will be more than 2000 points, and so on down the line. Just that they're spreading things out, possibly to make people stay up until midnight (Eastern) on multiple occasions instead of just the one. But we do now have a tentative schedule/list, which I'm posting here for the benefit of the few OTers with points to consider.

Dec. 1 - Walmart
Dec. 2 - McDonald's
Dec. 3 - Domino's
Dec. 4 - Nike
Dec. 5 - TJ Maxx
Dec. 6 - Best Buy
Dec. 7 - AMC
Dec. 8 - Home Depot
Dec. 9 - Southwest.com
Dec. 10 - Bass Pro Shop
Dec. 11 - Shutterfly
Dec. 12 - Coca Cola

So for me, the critical days will be the 1st, 4th, and 6th, with an option to spend any potential leftovers on the 8th and 12th. It all depends on what's offered and how much I can get of it. (If I can empty the account on Walmart, I will -- that's a lot of groceries on the Evil Empire's tab.) On the 11th, I can sleep in.

Typically, new Rewards go up just past midnight. No promises that such will be the case here, but it's the way to check until proven otherwise. More information as details warrant.

To me, this makes things a little worse. We don't know if redemption prices are standardized. Some items could be on sale, others might be normal cost, and a few could easily be increased prices. Do you risk points on Day #1 for double cost thinking nothing better will be along -- or wait and have nothing better ever show up, plus you lost the #1 item because you waited? Since you can't compare and contrast the whole catalog in one shot...

Nothing to do but wait.