After Christmas deals are usually pretty good, so that might not be too bad a strategy. If you're gonna wait into the new year, there's going to be more phones being teased (Galaxy S5, next gen HTC One, etc.), though most of them may not come out until sometime in the spring.
Or, there is also the option of getting the Moto G unlocked. Think of it as the Moto X's younger brother. It's right in your price range, and if you do find a better phone deal on your carrier, then you'll have two phones.Even another option is to get a used Nexus 4. It sits roughly between the Moto G and Moto X in specs, gets the same updates as the Nexus 5 and Moto X, and could be had for under $200. The issue you'd run into with the G or N4 is the internal space (16 GB max), and neither have LTE (HSPA+ at the fastest).
Darn you Jacques and all your great ideas HAHAHA!!!
I will NOT be waiting that long for a new phone (Spring) so that just isn't in the cards for me right now but a welcomed idea none the less.
I have looked at the Moto G and it just isn't the one for me...Price point aside, I think the X is definitely the far superior phone (as it should be) and wins hands down in this comparison. As for the N4...I actually looked at it when it first came out and like I've heard many times over in different forums and blogs, it's lacking...it is good for what it is but it is not great. The N5 is a great phone. If it wasn't for having to get the smaller gig'd model from my carrier then I think it would but up much higher on my list. So no N4 for me.