Save lots of money by shopping for these holiday and household items at day after Christmas sales. Be sure to sign up to receive the expanded free printable checklist that you can take with you while you go shopping.
I often skip Black Friday shopping, but there’s not much that can keep me out of the stores for their day after Christmas sales.
I skip the return lines and hightail it to the clearance section stock to my cart with items for next Christmas and all year round.
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I’ve compiled a list of 20+ things to buy at day-after-Christmas sale, and I think some of them may surprise you.
Be sure to keep reading for all my Christmas clearance and bargain hunting tips.
I’ve included shopping tips for each each shopping category. You’ll be surprised by how many of your Christmas clearance finds you’ll be able to use throughout the year — not just at the holidays.
Jump to:
- Printable After-Christmas Shopping Deals Checklist
- Best Things to Buy at Christmas Clearance Sales
- 1) Christmas Decorations and Accents
- 2) Christmas Ornaments
- 3) Wrapping Paper
- 4) Tape
- 5) Paper Goods
- 6) Cleaning Supplies
- 7) Kitchen Items and Cookware
- 8) Food Gifts
- 9) Barware and Party Supplies
- 10) Holiday China
- 11) Table Linens
- 12) Candles
- 13) Pillows
- 14) Ribbon
- 15) Garlands & Greenery
- 16) Boxed Gift Sets
- 17) Beauty Items
- 18) School Supplies
- 19) Christmas Cards
- 20) Christmas Trees
Printable After-Christmas Shopping Deals Checklist
By request, I’ve also added a FREE printable checklist that you can take with you when you’re shopping. It includes the 20 original items, plus EVEN MORE things to buy at a discount at day after Christmas sales.
This is a great item to print and keep in your calendar or planner or your Ultimate Christmas Planner. Just enter your information below, then check your inbox for the printable.
Best Things to Buy at Christmas Clearance Sales
As the retail landscape has changed, more and more stores are discounting holiday items BEFORE Christmas, so you can often snag some of these deals before Dec. 25.
You’ll find a better selection when you shop early, but you’ll save the most money if you wait for stores to mark things down 75 percent to 90 percent. Plus, you may be able to use holiday gift cards to pay for items when you shop after Christmas.
Want to see a quick rundown of the list? Click here to watch my web story on the best bargains at after-Christmas clearance sales.
1) Christmas Decorations and Accents
I rarely pay full price for Christmas decor because I shop the after-Christmas sales when decorations are usually on clearance, or discounted 50 percent or more the longer you wait. Some stores even discount their Christmas decor before the holiday, so be on the lookout for great deals while you’re doing your last-minute gift shopping.
2) Christmas Ornaments
I love to pick up ornaments after Christmas, but I don’t just buy for my tree.
I also like to buy ornaments to use as package toppers or to use on the backs of chairs. I pack the ornaments up with my Christmas giftwrap and store them in the attic until next year.
3) Wrapping Paper
I’m sure you know that after-Christmas is the best time to buy wrapping paper, bags, decorative boxes and other gift wrap supplies.
I like to stock up on premium paper. My favorites are the foil, flocked and glittery papers, which can be quite expensive when purchased full price.
I’ll be buying wrapping paper for next year’s Christmas on the 26th, but I’ll also be shopping for gift wrap to use year round. If you hunt, you can find patterns that aren’t holiday specific that you can use for birthdays and other occasions year round.
You may even find some wrapping paper you can use in your home decor, like this faux bois kraft paper I picked up at Target after Christmas. I used it as a runner on an autumn tablescape and as a background for some of my blog photography. The paper I purchased is no longer available, but this is a pretty alternative.
4) Tape
While you’re shopping for wrapping paper, don’t forget to scoop up discounted tape. You’ll have to get to the store early to take advantage of this deal, however, because the hardcore bargain hunters often buy it all up first thing.
5) Paper Goods
Here’s something you may not think to look for at day after Christmas sales. Depending on the store, you can often find paper goods, including paper towels, napkins, plates, facial tissue, foil, plastic wrap, baggies and plastic food storage marked half off if it’s in holiday packaging.
6) Cleaning Supplies
The same also applies to things like dishwashing liquid and hand soap. Look for the Christmas packaging, and you may get a heck of a deal!
7) Kitchen Items and Cookware
Keep your eyes peeled for red and green cookie sheets and bakeware in holiday packaging.
Stores want to clear these seasonal items out after the holidays, so they will discount them deeply. Some items you can use year-round. And others you can save for holiday gifts and baking.
My rubber scrapers and spatulas have Santa Claus and reindeer on them, but I don’t mind. They were a steal at Williams-Sonoma’s after-Christmas sale! World Market has some adorable Christmas-themed spatulas that are likely to be clearance-priced after Christmas.
I’ve also bought whisks, cookie cooling racks, corkscrews and cheese boards at a holiday discount.
You can also find great post-holiday deals on baking boxes, cupcake liners and other supplies for homemade food gifts. If you’re the kind to make and give baked goods to your friends and neighbors, now is the time to stock up on pretty packaging for them.
8) Food Gifts
Speaking of food gifts, you’ll find prepackaged food gifts discounted after Christmas, too. I tend to go for items in non-seasonal packaging. Then, I can use them for hostess gifts, teachers gifts and care packages throughout the year.
Soup mixes, barbecue sauces, nuts, coffee flavorings, popcorn gift sets and hot chocolate mixes are great items to pick up on sale. Just be mindful of expiration dates.
When giving these items as gifts, don’t feel like you have to keep them in their original packaging. You can break up a set and combine it with other items to make a unique gift. No one will ever guess you bought it at Christmas.
I’ve also been known to buy items for my own pantry at these sales. If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve party, then a look for summer sausages, cheese sets, nuts and dip mixes you can serve as appetizers.
9) Barware and Party Supplies
Speaking of New Year’s Eve, be on the lookout for discounted barware and party supplies.
Stores often sell glitzy Christmas glassware and cocktail shakers that aren’t really holiday specific.
I bought this metal ice bucket (kid not included) at Target’s half-price, day after Christmas sale years ago and added family crest vinyl decal to it. We still use this ice bucket when we throw parties.
10) Holiday China
I never could bring myself to pay full price for Christmas dishes, but priced 50 percent to 90 percent off, that’s another story.
A few years ago, I bought a 12-piece place setting of Christmas china at Kohl’s that I bring out every year when we host family for Christmas.
11) Table Linens
Don’t forget the napkins and tablecloths and runners and placemats to go along with those pretty Christmas dishes.
I find great prices on table linens after the holidays, and usually the selection is pretty good, too.
I like to buy solids and patterns that aren’t holiday specific, so I can use them year round in my entertaining and in my food photography for the blog.
12) Candles
Who doesn’t love holiday candles? But who wants to pay full price for them?
If you wait until after Christmas, you can get a great deal on candles, and you may even find some you can use year round.
Snip off the pine cones and needles, and these birch bark candles from Kohl’s are good from fall through spring.
13) Pillows
I love to change out the pillows inside and out for Christmas, but who wants to pay full-price for them?
Make sure you check stores for deals on holiday pillows after Christmas. Places like At Home and Home Goods usually have a lot!
14) Ribbon
I have a weakness for beautiful ribbon to use for decorating and for packages, but it can be so expensive.
That’s why I buy mine on sale after Christmas.
Then, I can afford an entire roll to do projects like my staircase garland — without breaking the bank.
15) Garlands & Greenery
Speaking of garlands, faux greenery is another great thing to buy at day after Christmas sales.
Especially if you use a lot of it like I do. Most of mine was purchased at after-Christmas sales or using coupons. I like to invest in good quality faux florals and greenery, but I don’t like to pay full price for them.
16) Boxed Gift Sets
I don’t know about you, but I have lots of presents to buy and give throughout the year.
I love to pick up a few prepackaged gifts, like USB chargers, classic games, multipurpose tools, book lights and electronic gadgets, to have on hand for birthdays, graduation gifts and just because.
17) Beauty Items
You know what also comes packaged neatly with a box for Christmas? Beauty items, including makeup, nail polish, perfume and skincare.
A 50 percent off sale (or more!) is the perfect excuse to try a new scent or indulge in a new nail color wardrobe! I’m a big fan of the Burt’s Bees gift sets; I scored some great deals a few years ago on some of those at Walmart.
18) School Supplies
As strange as it sounds, you can often find school supplies on clearance after Christmas. Just look for holiday packaging, then check the prices at the store’s bar code scanners. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I scored a major deal on some Santa Claus and Frosty Post-It notes and Sharpie markers one year after Christmas, and I was able to donate a lot of them to my son’s school.
19) Christmas Cards
I know many people send out photo Christmas cards. But if you don’t, get a jumpstart by buying your cards for this year on Dec. 26.
You’ll pay half what you will next year — and if you’re really organized, you could address them now when you’re not busy with the holiday rush. (Who am I kidding?)
20) Christmas Trees
If you use an artificial Christmas tree like we do, then the best time to buy it is after Christmas.
I wish we bought our living room tree after Christmas, but we found ourselves in tree bind last year and ended up purchasing ours before the holiday.
We bought it on sale, but had we waited until Dec. 26, the price would have dropped significantly. (Sometimes, you’ll find discounts on pre-lit trees before Christmas, as well.)
At least I can say I bought my feather tinsel tree on sale. (Check local boutiques and florists for high-quality trees like this one at a discount.)
The same goes outdoor trees and decor.
Shop the sales for deals on these items, and stock up on holiday lights so you’re not paying full-price when yours burn out.
I’m curious. Do you hit the day after Christmas sales?
What’s your favorite thing to buy? Did I miss anything on my list?
Pin This! 20+ Things to Buy After Christmas On Sale
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Amy Anderson
Thank you for this! I love after Christmas sales!
Debbie M.
I was just shopping at Christmas Tree Shops. Not much decorations left, but
the mesh bags full of cinnamon scented Pinecones where 25cents a bags, I bought 12 bags, cheap wreaths for next year. A few nice balls to add to the wreath. Plus a few little houses for 39cents.
Atta Girl Amy
Wow. Those are some great deals. I’m planning on doing some shopping tomorrow. I may have to swing by the Christmas Tree Shops to see what ours has.
Sandra
I love these suggestions. I have been shopping like this for many years. Don’t forget to check Costco and Sam’s for sales well into January. A couple of years ago, I found mesh ribbon and beautiful wired ribbon marked down drastically at Sam’s. They wanted to clear it out. After Christmas is also a great time to stock up on gift wrap tissue. Stores often sell tissue in big bundle during the holidays and need to clear it as the year goes by. Thanks so much for this pin.
Atta Girl Amy
I love the ribbon at Costco and Sam’s. I bought two rolls years ago, and I still have some left. Those rolls are endless. Great tip about tissue paper, too. Those big packs are so much more economical than the smaller packs that they have yearround.
JuanInAMillion
This was a GREAT article!!!! I save part of my Christmas club money to buy stuff after Christmas. I usually know what my color scheme is going to be a year ahead of time, so I shop for “new” things at the after Christmas sale. I am a Pier 1 girl. I try to wait until things go 90% off, but sometimes I can’t and it’s not a good idea because most of the stuff is picked over. Thanks for sharing such great ideas!
Atta Girl Amy
Glad you found this article helpful. I’ve gotten some great deals at Pier 1 after Christmas. I didn’t make it there this year, but I did score some 80 percent off goodies yesterday at Michael’s.
Jessica M
Don’t forget to hit the toy and clothes sections! They start after Christmas and get even more after the 1st of the year!
Atta Girl Amy
Great idea! I need to swing by the toy aisle at Target the next time I’m there. I’ve found some great deals on toys and have put them away for birthdays and other occasions.
Kerry
Great comprehensive list and I also like to buy christmas lights in the post-christmas/New Year sales too, they are always at least 50% off retail price.
Tiffany Schmitt
I always pick up red and green items on after Christmas clearance and use them for Valentine’s Day and st. Patrick’s day!
Atta Girl Amy
That’s a great idea! I just scooped up some heart-shaped hot chocolate mix-ins as part of a Christmas clearance at Michael’s. I’ll be using them at Valentine’s Day.
Saylor
I always buy toys after Christmas. Most of them are more than 75% at Target. Last year, I bought pink kitchen for $21 that was normally $89. It’s a great time to pick up really nice toys at a discounted price for all of those parties throughout the year!
Atta Girl Amy
I agree. I’ve found some great toy bargains at Target, especially. They’ll often discount things as much as 80 percent after Christmas to make room for new inventory.
Mother of 3
What a great list! I do buy (or look at most of this) but I never thought to pick up extra ornaments as gift tie ons or to check the make up kits/ sets.
Tenáj I
I love this post. I just told my husband yesterday we should plan to do after Christmas shopping. May I ask, what’s a keeping room?
Atta Girl Amy
Missed your question earlier, but our keeping room is essentially our family room. The term dates from colonial times and refers to a multi-use room attached to the kitchen with a fireplace. Generally, they’re small, cozy rooms. Ours is; just big enough for a couch, chair and a few side tables.
Naomi
Great list! Thanks for sharing. Wrapping paper, Christmas lights, and paper products are items I never buy until the week after Christmas (like costumes the week after Halloween)! Another one to add would be Christmas attire, like this year’s popular “ugly” Christmas sweaters! A story: I once went to a grocery store a few days after Christmas and they were literally giving away their Christmas products–I got wrapping paper, holiday napkins, cellophane wrap, and more absolutely FREE!!!
JoDee
Lights! I tie lace, fabric or burlap between the lights. The lace ones are over my daughters window. I use lights for MANY things.