Items To Buy After Christmas To Save Big On Next Year’s Holidays

When you think of great holiday deals, the words “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” probably come to mind. These two shopping days provide stellar deals on gifts, but they aren’t the only days worth hunting for bargains. In fact, the days after Christmas can be the best shopping days of the year for those looking for holiday-themed merchandise.

Some of the top items to buy right after Christmas for significant savings include artificial Christmas trees, gift wrapping essentials, ornaments, and other holiday decorations. You can also find holiday party essentials, themed paper goods, holiday clothing, winter candles, and essential oils on clearance after the winter holidays. Look for great deals on holiday crafting items you can buy for next winter’s DIY projects.

The week after Christmas is often chaotic in retail stores, but there’s a reason for the crowds. There are sales on all sorts of winter-themed items as soon as the major gift-giving holidays come to a close, but you need to know what to look for to capitalize on these deals. Below is a list of the top holiday items you can buy after Christmas to save a ton of money on next year’s winter holidays.

13 Holiday-Themed Items You Can Buy Right After Christmas

1. Holiday Lights

There are endless types of Christmas lights for sale before the holidays. If you want to replace old lights or add to your current lighting arsenal, then the day after Christmas is a perfect time to buy new ones. As soon as the holidays end, stores usually mark down holiday lights immediately.

If you have particular lights in mind, then you should buy them right away before they are gone. If, however, you aren’t too picky about which type of lights you want, consider waiting a few days for even lower prices.

2. A New Artificial Christmas Tree

Christmas trees, both real and artificial, are expensive. If you are in the market for a new artificial tree or are ready to make the switch from real to fake, then the day after Christmas is the best time to buy.

Artificial Christmas trees go on clearance immediately following Christmas, making it the perfect time to upgrade your family’s Christmas tree. Keep in mind that desirable trees go fast. Therefore, this coveted item should be among the first you buy when shopping for post-holiday bargains.

3. Wrapping Paper

The cost of wrapping gifts can add up quickly, especially when you pay full price for your gift wrap. Wrapping paper is a great item to purchase after the holidays, as it will help you save money on your next year’s gift wrapping. 

Most rolls of wrapping paper take up very little space, so most people should have ample room to store them along with holiday decorations. Buying holiday gift wrap after Christmas can save you 50% or more, making it a great item to stock up on while supplies last.

4. Christmas Sweaters And Other Winter Garments

Clothing is another seasonal item you can find fantastic deals on after gift-giving has ended. Holiday-themed clothing, in particular, sees dramatic price drops once the festive season ends. If you need a new Christmas sweater or any other holiday-themed garments, try waiting until after the holidays to save big.

In addition to Christmas-specific garments, you can often find discounts on all winter clothing. If you need a new winter jacket, consider shopping for one after the holidays.

5. Ornaments

If you’re someone who likes to change up your Christmas motif each year, then you know how expensive it is to deck out a tree. To save money on next year’s Christmas tree aesthetic, try to find discounted ornaments as soon as Christmas ends. 

Tree ornaments go on sale before Christmas, but are immediately put on clearance at many stores on December 26. You can find items for less than half their retail price, especially if you are open-minded about the ornament style.

6. Bags, Boxes, Bows, And Ribbons

In addition to wrapping paper, you can often score some fantastic deals on holiday gift bags and boxes, as well as bows and ribbons. If you’re the type of person who hates wrapping gifts, then gift bags are the way to go. 

At full price, a gift bag can cost almost as much as a small gift. After the holidays, however, you can get bags, bows, ribbons, and boxes for a fraction of the price. These items take up minimal space, and it’s always nice to have a surplus for the next holiday season.

7. Holiday-Themed Paper Goods

If you love entertaining and cooking over the holidays, you’ll want plenty of paper goods for cookie trays, appetizers, and buffet dinners. Paper cups, plates, and napkins with Christmas and other winter themes become irrelevant at the end of the year and, in turn, are immediately put on clearance at most stores. 

Dollar stores are a great place to check for these items, as they are usually even cheaper than other stores. If you have the space, stocking up on these disposable party items can save you a lot of money. Since these paper goods are sealed, they can stay fresh and pristine in storage for a year or longer.

8. Cookie Cutters

If you’re a fan of baking during the holidays, then you can never have enough cookie cutters. Holiday-themed cookie cutters are a great item to pick up after the holidays, as they are marked down and not usually in high demand. 

In addition to making sweet treats, you can use cookie cutters for various craft projects and incorporate them into DIY holiday decorations.

9. Holiday Spices 

Spices aren’t cheap, especially coveted specialty spices. If you love to cook, consider checking the spice aisle after the holidays, as there are often sales on holiday spices.

You can often find whole spices, which stay fresh much longer than powdered spices. Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and nutmeg are just a few spices you may find discounted after the holidays.

10. Holiday Dishware, Platters, And Cookware

If you entertain a lot during the holidays, consider looking for markdowns on holiday-themed plates and cookware. You can find large, decorated platters that are perfect for a buffet spread, and Christmas plates to serve freshly baked cookies.

Fondue sets, hot cocoa mugs, and other winter-themed dishware are usually in abundance on clearance racks. These items can save you money when hosting a holiday party, and also make great gifts for the following year.

11. Wreaths And Other Decorations

If you want to swap out old and tacky holiday decorations for modern and classy ones, there’s no better time to buy Christmas and other winter decor than right after Christmas. Stores are in a rush to clear the shelves of all winter holiday wreaths and decorations to make room for the next holiday, which means major sales start on December 26.

Consider scoping out stores right before Christmas to see which locations have decorations you like, and then head to these spots as soon as they open the day after the holiday.

12. DIY Holiday Craft Essentials

Another great place to check for deals the day after Christmas is your favorite craft store or the craft aisles in larger stores. While year-round supplies likely won’t be on sale, you should find deep discounts on any holiday-themed crafting item. From jingling bells to red and green glitter, you can find all sorts of crafting treasures for cheap and save them for next winter’s DIY crafting projects.

13. Winter-Themed Candles And Essential Oils

Winter smells are a big part of the holidays. Scented candles, especially evergreen and spiced varieties, are very popular in November and December. By New Year’s, however, these scents are usually on clearance.

Candles and essential oils can last for several years, making them ideal to purchase after Christmas and save for the following year. You can give the candles as gifts, or use them in your home next autumn and winter.

Concluding Notes On What Holiday Items To Buy After Christmas

Most people search for sales before Christmas, but if you’re looking for holiday-themed items, then you shouldn’t start shopping until December 26. You can find all sorts of excellent post-holiday sales on items you can use for the following Christmas. Artificial trees, other winter decorations, and holiday lights all become significantly cheaper after Christmas.

Wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, and bows are all great items to stock up on after the holiday. If you enjoy hosting during the holidays, look for holiday-themed paper goods, dishes, and cookware.

Related Guides:

• When Should You Decorate For Christmas?
• Best Places To Get Christmas Decorations
• 14 Creative Ways To Store Your Holiday Decorations