December 26 is the start of the holiday sale season. But what if you really dislike the crowds at an After Christmas Sale? By mid-January, you may also think it is too late to find what you want or need. But not true! With a little after Christmas sale savvy, you can score great deals long after the holidays have been put away.
What to Look For
Of course, just browsing is always fun, but it can be helpful to have a plan. Shop the sales for the things that will save you time or money next season. Here are six things that are worth looking for in the weeks after Christmas:
Lights
Check the Christmas clearance bins for specialty lights such as icicles, snowflakes, larger globe or LED strand lights. Home maintenance and hardware stores may have a larger selection on sale through the end of the month. Consider picking up the odds and ends if you like them, even if there aren’t enough for your tree or porch. Mixing lights in clear containers or stringing them along a window or countertop can be a fun way to brighten the season. Think about party lights as they go on sale for spring and summer, too. Some come in interesting shapes that would make festive tree or outside decorations.
Project Supplies
- Christmas fabrics – These fabrics usually go on sale before Christmas arrives (sometimes as early as July or August). After Christmas, the selection may be smaller. But you can still pick up a variety of festive plaid flannels or winter motifs for quilting or other sewing projects you’ll start in the summer.
- Wired ribbon – Honestly, I don’t think you can ever have enough wired ribbon. Wired ribbon is great for wrapping gifts, of course. But you can also use it in a variety of ways for decorating. On your tree, wired ribbon makes a stunning garland wrapped loosely around and through the branches. It can also cascade in gentle waves from the star on top. It wraps beautifully around a stair railing and holds its bow when tied around a banister. After Christmas sales often have ribbons that were overlooked if they were unusual. Look for interesting patterns or different colors that will spice up your holiday decor.
Gifting Extras
- Odd ornaments – After Christmas sales are the perfect time to pick up an odd, one-of-a-kind or funny ornament that will make a great topper for a gift or stocking stuffer for someone special.
- Food containers – Often tin containers for cookies and other treats are still available, as are unusual containers, such as the “Chinese take-out” boxes in Christmas prints I found last year. Do a quick count of anticipated hostess or neighbor gifts, and stock up to be prepared for holiday parties and special gifts from the kitchen.
- Boxed Christmas cards or invitations – If you don’t use personalized, printed cards and invitations (or even if you do, but always need a few extras), now is a great time to pick up a box or two of cute Christmas cards to use as needed next season.
Don’t Forget Online Sales
Finally, your favorite online stores will have Christmas items on their outlet and sale pages. You can browse in January and through the spring to find cute decorations, ornaments, and specialty gift items to store for next Christmas.
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