How to Slay After-Christmas Shopping

I've mentioned before that I'm a bargain shopper and one of the ways I slay while on a budget is to shop off season. A lot of folks are burned out on buying by December 26th but post-Christmas clearance prices rival those of Black Friday and Cyber Monday so, if there were a time to shop, it's now. And it's not strictly Christmas items that go on sale. Think beauty, blankets, and even home furniture. After reading through the tips in this post, you'll know how to apply this to after-Christmas shopping and be ahead of the game for everything from self-care to decking your halls next holiday season!!!!

Where to Shop

Baking, Party, and Gift Wrap Supplies

Stores are looking to clear out anything related to Christmas once the holiday passes. You can pick up festive serve ware, napkins, candlesticks, and more for at least half off during this time. I look for neutral options that work year-round. As far as baking supplies go, holiday themed pans, molds, cupcake liners, sprinkles, etc. are typically up to 50% off in the days leading up to Christmas. Starting on December 26, places like Target, Walmart, Joann Fabric, and Michael's will have these same items up to 75% off to make way for Valentine's Day merchandise. The snowflake cookie cutters I used to make my tahini sugar cookies are a post-Christmas clearance find from last year. You'll also find gift wrap, bows, ribbon, boxes, and the like on clearance.

Pro tip: Look for options that you can use for multiple occasions, not just Christmas.

Gift Sets and Holiday Packaging

These are great to have on hand for last-minute gifts and can be broken up into multiple gifts. You'll also likely find products you normally use (Think bath, beauty, and toiletries.) in limited edition or holiday packaging dip down to clearance prices after Christmas. Good examples of this are the Bath & Body Works (online now and in stores later today) and Victoria's Secret (December 28th) semi-annual sales. If I find a good deal on a gift set, I'll pick it up to use in one of three ways:

Save as a gift for the future.
Break up into multiple gifts.
Use the products myself throughout the year.

Pro tip: Discounts increase as the days go on but the selection will be best in the first two days after Christmas. Many retailers will provide price adjustments within 2 weeks of purchase, so be sure to inquire about that if you think prices will drop later on.

Christmas Decor

The trees and many of the trimming from this year's holiday home tour were purchased last year on December 26! I hadn't closed on my house yet but knew I'd want these things next time around and definitely would not want to pay full price 🙂 so I bought them for half off and stored them in a guest closet.

Pro tip:If you prefer to shop online (Who doesn't these days?), Wayfair's holiday decor clearance is up and running through January 5th. Click here for up to 70% off trees, ornaments, holiday-themed art, and more!

Cozy Things

For whatever reason, blankets go on major sale after Christmas. And not just cheesy Santa Claus ones, either. I scooped up a dreamy throw that lives in my guest bedroom at Joann Fabric during post-Christmas shopping last year. The faux fur table runner seen here, here, here, and here was also an after-Christmas find from Mashalls. Whether you need to add coziness to your own space or want to build up your gift stash for housewarmings, upcoming holidays, or whatever, luxe blankets are a safe bet.

Pro tip:Even though temperatures don't instantly increase, all things fuzzy and furry tend to go on sale after Christmas. Now is the time to grab faux fur blankets, table runners, pillows, and more at deep discounts.

Home Furnishings

If you're in the market for furniture, The Dump Luxe Furniture Outlet has a big closeout sale every year after Christmas. I purchased my living room sofa and the ottoman I made over in this post there last year and unheard of prices. This year's sale starts at 9am on Wednesday, December 27th.

Pro tip:Don't shop just because. Only buy things you need and/or love so as to avoid winding up on a future episode of Hoarders!

What I'm Shopping for This Year

Christmas ornaments
Stocking hooks/holders
Shea Moisture gift sets
Bath & Body Works aromatherapy gift sets
Artificial Flocked Christmas tree
Artificial garland
Festive napkin rings, candle sticks, and chargers

Pro tip:Unless you'll use them soon or they have a far out expiration date, I don't generally recommend stocking up on holiday-themed food items such as cocktail mixers, cookies, or baking kits.

I hope this helps you successfully navigate after-Christmas shopping and find some excellent deals. If you have any recommendations I may have missed, please drop them in the comments below. 🙂 Thanks for reading!

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