Introduction to Things to Buy AFTER Christmas
The last 3 months of the year are hectic and yet provide wonderful family time and memories. However, they can be a real drain on the budget, what with Halloween decorations and candies, Thanksgiving festivities and feasts, and the final double-whammy, the month-long preparation for Christmas. Of course, Christmas includes the often-expensive gift buying to close out the year end spending frenzy.
However, exercising patience during the Christmas sales rush can be a wise financial move. If you are one to budget and take advantage of shopping “deals”, there are several items that come much cheaper after Christmas.
The Significance of Planning Ahead
While waiting post-Christmas might delay acquiring specific items, the money saved often justifies the wait. From consumer electronics to clothing, major discounts abound during the January inventory turnover. Planning ahead is crucial to maximize post-holiday sales, aligning major purchases with substantial savings.
Key Items to Buy After Christmas
Winter Clothing (with one exception):
- Plan a year ahead to save on winter clothing during merchandise turnover in January.
- One exception would be ski clothing and equipment. This typically won’t begin to go on sale until after the ski season, which could mean April or perhaps a bit later. That said, when things are on sale, you can get some great prices on items that are quite expensive when full price.
Winter Coats for Men
Winter Coats for Women
Winter Boots for Men
Winter Boots for Women
Toys and Small Gifts:
- Understandably, stores really stock up on toys for the Christmas holiday.
- Take advantage of clearance sales on excess stock after Christmas, ideal for birthdays, upcoming holidays and unexpected occasions.
Children’s Toys
Christmas Decorations and Related Products:
- This one is a no-brainer. Christmas paraphernalia, including trees and lights, see significant price drops within weeks after Christmas. Get great deals on everything you will need for Christmas 2024.
- Be sure to look for things such as kid’s Christmas story books, storage containers and other holiday items that may not fall under the category of decorations.
Christmas Decorations
Health Clubs & Fitness Products:
- Post-Christmas fitness product sales capitalize on the traditional New Year’s resolution of being healthy and into conditions. You can find most companies offering discounts on fitness equipment and accessories to help you keep these resolutions.
- You may also want to check on discounts at health clubs as well. January is typically when their pricing is cheaper than any other time of year.
Food and Cooking Products:
- After Christmas, grocery aisles feature clearance deals on baking supplies, wine, cheese, and seasonal food and cooking products.
- You may also find sales on small kitchen appliances, such as toaster ovens, air fryers, etc.
Small Kitchen Appliances
Kitchen Gadgets and Accessories
Pizza Ovens
Consumer Electronics:
- Sales after the New Year provide opportunities to buy electronics at prices as competitive as Black Friday deals.
- One exception might be computers. Typically these are on sale during the Thanksgiving Black Friday sales AND the last week of July and early August in “back to school” sales.
Smart Watches
Home Theater System
Home Stereo System
Key Points on Post-Christmas Sales:
- When Sales Start: Many post-holiday sales begin on Christmas day or the day after, extending through the end of the year or into January.
- Are Sales Worth It: Waiting for certain items until after Christmas can result in substantial savings, provided you plan ahead.
Budget Focused Thinking
Strategic post-holiday shopping can provide significant savings, but it requires planning and a clear plan. Develop a list of target items, and research sales on-line to find the best deals. You may find discounts vary between in store sales (they want to get rid of physical inventory AND bringing you into the store) and online sales.
Other Resources
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