12 Things to Buy AFTER Christmas

My favorite week for shopping in the whole year is the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I usually ask for gift cards instead of actual gifts just so I can stretch my dollar even further by shopping this week instead of before Christmas.

Why, you might ask? Aren’t the sales better around Black Friday?

I guess you can get some pretty great deals on Black Friday. But I don’t feel like getting up at 3am to go shopping with a million other people who are willing to kill each other over Tickle Me Elmo.

Why are the sales after Christmas so great?

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is important for businesses. Companies need to make sure that their yearly profits are as remarkable as possible, so in a last ditch effort, they try to sell as much as they can in the last week of the year.

And not just from a profit standpoint, but it’s also important for the inventory as well. Stores need to get rid of Christmas items that didn’t sell so that they have room for the rest of their stock. And they need them gone fast.

I make a list each year of decorations I wish I had for Christmas and then, the day or two after Christmas, I head to the stores to see what I can nab in the 50-75% off (or more!) price range.

Here are my top 12 things to buy AFTER Christmas:

1. Wrapping paper

All of the Christmas themed wrapping paper is on sale, but it’s also a great time to keep your eye out for non-Christmas themed paper that can be used all year. I got a 4 roll pack for $1 and 2 of the rolls said “Merry Christmas,” but the other 2 rolls were just plain stripped that could be used for more than just Christmas.

2. Ornaments

Those awesome ornament wreaths? You need like 400 ornaments to make them! Maybe you just had a baby and realized that all of your beautiful heirloom glass ornaments won’t make it with a toddler in the house. The best time to get ornaments is AFTER Christmas. Instead of $20 for a big pack of 50 ornaments, you can get them for around $5. Much easier to stock up at that price.

3. Artificial trees

I’ve never gotten an artificial tree, but for after-Christmas prices, I might! We saw a 9 foot pre-lit tree for $15 last year! That’s a stock-up price, right there. Christmas trees for all occasions!

4. Stockings

I really love super cute knitted stockings. But they’re $30 at some places! Unless, of course, you wait for the 75% off sale! Super cute, rustic stockings for the whole family for the same thing I would have paid for 1 stocking!

5. Tree skirts

Cute tree skirts are really expensive! Especially if you want to get the cute one to match the stockings. See a few that you might like? Get a few of them! For around $5 each, that’s worth a few different options.

6. General Christmas decorations

I found some big plush throws at Walmart last year for $1 each! Even more than that, if you’re looking for some amazing advent calendars or Christmas themed wall hanging art, this is the time to get them! I’ve gotten some really cute door mats also. Thankfully “V” isn’t a highly sought after initial for decor items, so we usually have our pick as far as anything with a monogram.

7. Christmas crafts

Who doesn’t love Christmas crafts? They’re perfect for kids. But I hate the price tags on them! There’s usually a lot of these left after Christmas, so it’s easy to stock up for your kids and maybe some for the nieces and nephews for next year.

8. Christmas baking supplies

I’m just not going to pay $25 for a Christmas tree shaped cake pan. But I WILL get one 90% off on sale! Cupcake liners, cookie cutters, cupcake towers shaped like Christmas trees, ice cube trays shaped like snowflakes… all really great things to keep on hand for next year’s Christmas party!

9. Christmas cards

I love getting the cards that have the place for a photo. And at around $1 for a 25 pack of cards when they’re on sale, it’s much cheaper than having them printed.

10. Christmas lights

I can’t stress this one enough! We had been using half-broken lights that I had in my college dorm for 5 years; they worked, but barely. I just couldn’t justify spending a ton of money on lights, so we never replaced them. Last year we got 3 huge 400 light rolls of indoor/ outdoor white lights for $5 each! We got a few outdoor specific lights too for $5 per roll from Walmart. 

11. Christmas clothes

Cute Christmas clothes and matching family Christmas PJs are on sale! Get 1-2 sizes UP for next year for the kids! Same price as second hand stores.

12. Toys

Ok, so they’re not always Christmas-specific, but they’re still on sale! My kids need more toys like they need a hole in the head. But for birthdays or for nieces and nephews, this is the time to stock up!

This is also a perfect time to stock up on those free gift cards to Walmart and Target when you use Swagbucks. That $25 gift card will go a lot further after Christmas than it did a week earlier!

What do you buy after Christmas?