And just like that, the holidays are almost over.
The holiday season is the only time of year when shopping for fun quickly turns into a competitive sport. It separates the amateurs from the shopping veterans whose favorite pastime is browsing, trying on, adding to cart and, maybe or maybe not, actually making a purchase.
So now what? Besides un-decking the halls of boughs of holly, if you’re one of those who never tires from shopping your pants off no matter what occasion, then hopefully you rested up for the after-Christmas sales that are about to inundate your inbox. Since you were restrained from buying yourself an item or two while shopping for friends and loved ones, so now you can totally go wild — and save.
Stores have been throwing holiday sales since October, but now that the season is winding down, the best deals are yet to come. But shop smart, which means having a post-holiday plan in one hand and a dedicated list in the other.
What To Buy Post-Holiday for Max Savings
Shopping after Christmas can actually be one of the best times to shop, especially for certain items. Many stores offer major markdowns and promos closer to the end of the year due to inventory and tax reasons. While these may seem obvious, you might be surprised by things you should skip, too:
1. Holiday Decor
We all know that immediately following any holiday-themed décor is reduced dramatically. Stores are eager to get rid of their seasonal inventory and sale prices typically reflect that — even before Christmas Day arrives. But you better line up early for the best picks of the bunch.
If you have extra storage space in your home, take advantage of post-holiday sales for savings of anywhere from 50% to 75% on items like artificial Christmas trees, indoor and outdoor lights, ornaments, wrapping paper, and anything with a holiday theme. Since décor themes come and go, focus on seasonal staples.
Shop: Macy’s Holiday Lane, Target Holiday Shop, Williams Sonoma, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls
2. Holiday Beauty Gift Sets
Holiday beauty gift sets usually include a brand’s most-loved products in bite-sized travel sizes (although some include full sizes). These beauty sets are classic gifts for several reasons — the first are their prices. Limited-time holiday gift sets are typically priced below what the individual products actually retail for — and that’s before they go on sale.
The second reason is that these gift sets are a great way to save money on your favorites (or try out soon-to-be favorites) because stores drop the prices by 50% or more either right before or immediately after the holidays. Plus, who doesn’t love sparkly, glittery packaging anyway?
3. Cold-Weather Apparel
For the absolute best selection, shop winter-inspired items post-holiday. But for the deepest savings, hold off until January or even February when retailers are getting a tad more desperate to part with past season merchandise. Just know sizes and colors will be limited.
Coats + Outerwear
Now is the time to score discounts on winter gear, clothing, shoes and accessories. If you’ve had your eye on a nice winter coat but haven’t followed through because of its price, circle back after Christmas for guilt-free shopping. Cashmere, as well as other heavier knits, are cheaper after the holidays.
Cold-Weather Accessories
Besides sweaters, coats and jackets, winter accessories are also marked down heavily post-Christmas. Because we tend to not think about cold weather accessories until we need them, take this opportunity to purchase them at a discount and put them away for when needed.
Cold-Weather Footwear
Cold-weather and holiday-party-ready shoes have serious markdowns right after Christmas — and even in the days before. Many shoes and boots featuring winter textures and colors — velvet, plaid and jeweled accents — are geared toward a specific time of year and will be the first ones marked down after Christmas to make way for spring styles that are likely already filtering in.
Shop: Macy’s, Target, REI, Dick‘s Sporting Goods
4. Holiday Cookware
A lot of stores that sell kitchen appliances, accessories, tableware and cookware will order more than needed to stock for the influx of holiday sales, which means plenty are leftover at the end of the season. If you didn’t get that Le Creuset Enameled Dutch oven you asked Santa for, check for post-holiday deals on those now, along with small appliance markdowns.
Shop: Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Macy’s
5. Toys + Video Games
If your kid received a gift card for Christmas, depending on what kind, it can feel like Christmas morning all over again when they shop for toys or video games for their new console. And that gift card extends even further because select toys are discounted even before the trees and ornaments are stowed away until next year.
Shop: Macy’s Toys R Us, Target, GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart
6. Fitness Equipment
It’s no secret there isn’t a more enthusiastic group than those aiming to get fit in the New Year. And retailers, studios and gyms capitalize on this determination with special offers and exclusive, limited-time discounts. While some of the best deals occur over Black Friday and Cyber Monday for treadmills and stationary bikes, post-holiday sales offer equally tantalizing deals as well, usually closer to Jan. 1 and into the new year than in the immediate days following.
Shop: NordicTrack Holiday Sale, Best Buy Home Gym, Dicks Sporting Goods, Target
What Not To Buy Right After the Holidays
Being a smart shopper means avoiding buying items that may, on the surface, appear like you’re getting a real deal. It’s super easy to get caught up in the frenzy of post-holiday shopping but go into it knowing which types of merchandise you should avoid.
- Bedding: Excluding holiday themes, January is the best time to score deals on bedding and household linens as white sales pop up on these items during the first part of January.
- Home décor and furnishings: In the next month, stores will flood showrooms with newer, springier items for your home. And they’ll want to move out leftover merchandise from past seasons, meaning deeper discounts. If it doesn’t have a holiday theme, then wait a little longer to snap up something you’ve been eyeballing. You’ll be rewarded for your patience with a heavier wallet.
- TVs: Footfall fans know that discounts on 4K TVs become more plentiful around the Big Game. And this year’s game is Feb. 12, 2023, so hold off until then and expect lots of savings the week or two prior.
The post Buy These Things for Cheap After the Holiday Festivities End appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
