BEST THINGS TO BUY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS TO SAVE MONEY
I hope you are all having a great holiday season.
I don’t care much for shopping, but I just love a bargain. After the holidays is the best time to get seasonal items at a fraction of the original price.
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You can score tons of savings and the time and money you save next year is priceless. It’s one of the many ways you’re guaranteed to save money on holiday shopping.
Here is my own list of the best things to buy after Christmas.
#1 CHRISTMAS TREE
We scored our Christmas tree at the beginning of this year at 70% off! It’s 7 feet tall and comes with three prelit lighting options.
My husband loves real Christmas trees, but a fake tree saves us time, money, and the headache of a mess. If you like real trees just buy some of >>this spray<< and you’re good to go!
They even sell trees that make music and spin. If I can find a good enough sale I’ll upgrade in the future.
Related posts:
* Things we stopped buying to save hundreds of dollars every year
#2 DECORATIONS
Getting cheap Christmas decorations requires you to play a bit of a waiting game. Prices start at 50% off the first few days after Christmas, but can go down to as much as 90% off the longer you wait. You just need to be careful they don’t sell out.
Stockings, wreaths, candles, anything with snowmen, ornaments, the list goes on and on. Most big retails stores will slash prices just a few days after Christmas so that they can start bringing out the spring and Valentine’s Day items.
We purchased Christmas lights at 10 cents a box. Yes, that’s right. We bought enough to do our whole front yard and spent less than $2. These light projectors are great because you can light up the front of your house with just one or two. No ladders needed!
Lowe’s, Walmart, and Home Depot have great deals on the holiday inflatable decorations. There were a bunch at 80% off (great items to resell), but be aware those sell quickly.
Don’t forget to use eBates for all your online and in-store purchases to score cash back. For a limited time get a $10 signup bonus with your first qualifying purchase!
I’m hoping to buy an Elf on the Shelf for next year.
#3 WRAPPING PAPER/GIFT BAGS
Each year I pick up a few rolls of wrapping paper, gift bags, gift tags, holiday tins, favor bags, and anything else I’m going low on. I’m not saying go out and buy the whole store, but buy enough to last until next year’s sales. You can store a bin in your garage or attic.
I don’t see myself running out of gift bows any time soon 😉
#4 CARDS
Holiday cards are so cheap after the holidays. I’ve been terrible about mailing out cards the last few years, but have some really fancy looking ones for when I do.
I promise to mail out Christmas cards next year. It’s not a New Year’s resolution, but it’s part of making next year a better year for myself.
#5 CANDY
Lots of candy brands do special holiday packaging, which means you can get very good deals on candy after Christmas. So what if you’re stuck eating red and green M&M’s for the next month or two.
Almond Roca, Ferrero Rocher, and Andes Mints are what I like to get for myself. The hubby likes getting Russell Stover chocolates since I only know how to make their coconut clusters.
#6 TOYS/STOCKING STUFFERS
You can pick up some cheap toys after Christmas. The small ones are great for stuffing stockings next year or as part of gift baskets for other occasions like Easter.
Related posts:
*Epic non-toy gift guide for kids of all ages
*8 easy ways to have a debt free Christmas
*Guaranteed ways to save money this holiday season
#7 PET TOYS/CLOTHES
I don’t know about your pets, but if a toy is the loudest and squeakiest my dogs could care less that they’re in the shape of a snowman.
Dog clothes and toys are very pricey, but if you buy them after Christmas you’ll get them at a big discount.
#8 CARS
Car dealerships always have deals at the end of each month. Discounts at the end of the year are even greater because they want to get rid of the previous year’s models.
#9 BAKING/KITCHEN/HOUSEHOLD
Buy cookie cutters, napkins, plates, soap, and other household goods at cheap prices.
We buy DIY cookie sets as a cheap activity for our daughter and son to do after the holidays. What kids don’t like playing with dough and sprinkles?
I’ve stocked up on red and green saran wrap at a really cheap price after Christmas. Doesn’t make a difference to me.
#10 CLOTHING
After Christmas buy winter clothing, boots, jackets, hats, scarves. I’ve been able to get winter boots at the end of the season for just $8!
Clothing stores change seasons by the month not based on the weather. This means you can get some great deals in the upcoming weeks.
My mother-in-law has a gift closet and she shops year round for gifts. After Christmas is one of her best times for stocking inventory. Though this may be a bit extreme, having a few nice gifts set aside for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas will save you a lot of time, money, and headaches.
Now that Christmas is over head to the stores to stock up on great after Christmas sales, from decorations, candy, toys, and other non-Christmasy items.
If you don’t want to deal with lines at the stores you can still get some great after Christmas deals online. Use eBates or other cash back sites to get the most savings.
When I go I’ll update this post to include photos of my after-Christmas haul.
Do you shop the after Christmas sales?
I always forget to go out for these things each year, so great reminder! It always makes the next year so much easier. Great list, too!
Hi,
I too get my wrapping paper, tissue paper and cards after Christmas. Great minds think alike.
Merry Christmas!
Dee
Yes lol!! I organized all my Christmas stuff and have enough wrapping paper for a few years 😉 Merry Christmas to you too!
I need to buy a new Christmas tree skirt before all the good deals are gone. Thanks for the reminder.
Great tips! I never thought about Christmas shopping for next year immediately following Christmas. I do enjoy going out for cheap decorations and hoarding those until next year, though. I may have to add gift buying to my list, too!
Love the tip about dog stuff. Dog toys are so overpriced!
You are right. Thanks for the reminders. Good time to get out there.
I was returning something the day after Christmas and there were some serious shoppers out. I perused the jackets department and yes I agree, wow there were some great deals. Onto the next season for the retail world.
Such a great post with great ideas of things to buy. I always forget about the great after Christmas sales stores have! Thanks for the great info!
Great tips! My mother always buys her Christmas trees on sale right after Christmas.
Candy is probably the best thing to buy after Christmas- it’s all so cheap and oh so delicious! 🙂
I know all this, but somehow I never manage to remember to go shopping! Even now, there’s probably time and I’m just too tired (lazy?) and unmotivated to do anymore shopping. DARN IT!
You are so right. We went out one year after Christmas and scored so many Christmas lights at super discounted prices that we cannot even use them all. I did not think about clothes, though. This is a good list.
thanks. I think Target will have everything at 90% off starting tomorrow too
I always buy after Christmas stocking stuffers and gift packs and put them away until the next year.
Great tips! I hate shopping so I don’t really take advantage of these sale though I should.
My mother has a gift closet as well. It always funny when the kids find the closet though! Their eyes light up! She is always buying gifts all year round, as she finds things on clearance or at a great price!
lol I know my kids would find the stuff before I could give them out too
Planning to check out some this weekend/ first week in January.
Great ideas! Im going to go look for my new Christmas tree this weekend!
Great list, I love all the decorations and it’s a great time to buy them.
This is great! Planning is key! In the same vein, I realized I should be making a list all year long of things I’d like to consider on Black Friday. If I don’t, Black Friday rolls around, and I have no idea what to look for! Same thing for your list. Thanks!
This is a great list. I love shopping for Christmas clearance items, packing it away and then rediscovering it the following season. It’s usually a surprise (since I forget during the year) and always kicks off the Christmas season with a smile!
Lol this is hilarious because I do the same thing
Great list! Certain things are more special bought in season with the family, but Christmas decorations and wrapping paper are definitely a bargain bought right after the holidays! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I know what you mean. I can’t wait for my kids to help me pick out gifts for the family next year.
Oh yes, I love shopping the sales! Target has everything at 70% off, what is left that is. I got wrapping paper for $.30 per roll! Can’t beat that!
I went today and it was 90% off but it was mostly leftover stuff. I did score some big rolls of wrapping paper at 50 cents
yes! I always buy wrapping paper and clothes after the holidays! The best deals!
I got my 50 cent wrapping paper. Still looking for good clothing deals.
I totally went after Christmas shopping to buy Christmas decorations for next year. I was able to find Christmas lights, fake greenery with pinecones, and Christmas cards for 50% off. And I also bought a couple bags of stick on bows for present wrapping for $.10 each! And even some bubbly on sale for $4 each after New Year’s! Not the steepest discounts on the Christmas stuff, but I didn’t want to risk it running out.
Nice haul! I was able to get giant rolls of wrapping paper for 50 cents a piece.