The Best Things to Buy at Christmas Clearance Sales

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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