The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year for many people — but for bargain hunters and those who live for the thrill of a deal? It’s actually the days following the Christmas holiday that makes their hearts grow three sizes.
That’s because once the store doors open on December 26 and through the new year, discerning shoppers can score amazing deals up to 90% off everything from holiday décor to everyday gifts.
According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. shoppers spent $936.3 billion on the holiday in 2022, but 54% of holiday shoppers say spending causes a financial burden. The good news? It doesn’t have to. We assembled a team of shopping experts and did hours of research to find out
what you should buy, when you should buy it, and the insider tips and tricks to get the most for your money.
Before you even set foot in a store or turn on your laptop, there are four steps you should take to make sure you’re armed and ready for retail redemption.
First and foremost, do your research so you’re informed as to who has the best sales. “Sign up for the email newsletters from your favorite brands,” said Trae Bodge, nationally-acclaimed smart shopping expert. “And make sure to sign up for any free loyalty programs while you’re at it, as loyalty members often receive special discounts or advance notice of sales,”
Another pro tip?
“Following couponers on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc, will give you access to the best deals in the shortest amount of time when you’re holiday shopping,” said couponing expert Kiersti Torok, who has more than 341K Instagram followers. “But if you’re hoping to shop for yourself or on your own, the best way to find sales is to look at store ads leading up to the holidays and make yourself familiar with what promotions they are going to be running and comparing them to other stores to make sure you’re getting the best deal.”
Search for hashtags like #Christmasclearance or #targetclearance to see what’s trending and up-to-the-minute offers. And when planning where you want to shop, it’s also important to research whether or not the products you see are actually worth the money.
For example, you might see a television deeply discounted at Best Buy, but if you read the reviews and find that it has a bad rap, buying that marked down item might cost you more money in the long run. Just because it looks good on the tag, doesn’t mean it should go in your cart.
This step is crucial to success. Creating a shopping list can help you stay organized and focused so you avoid those impulse purchases you don’t really need but still buy, simply because they were on sale. Especially, as Bodge notes, because people tend to shop for themselves after the holidays, picking up items that they had hoped for but didn’t receive as gifts.
The key is to prioritize the items on your list so you know you’re maximizing savings. We dive into some specifics below in terms of the best things to buy, but an invaluable tip? Shop with the entire next year in mind — this means birthday gifts, dinner parties, and everything in between.
It’s not a deal if you’re buying tons of things you might only use two weeks out of the year that simply take up valuable storage space, but it does make sense to buy deeply discounted goods you can use for all 12 months. Things like tissue paper, Scotch tape, Kleenex boxes, Glad containers, plates and napkins, gift sets, etc. often get thrown on the clearance shelves, so think outside of the box.
That brings us to the budget, something that often gets stretched for the holidays, but carefully planning ahead means you save more in the long run. “Budgets are very different for everyone, but my advice has always been that just because it's on sale doesn't mean you should buy it if you can't afford it or it affects your ability to pay off your credit card in full at the end of the month,” said Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping.com.
Torok agreed, adding, “I think the best way to set a budget is to look historically and forward — what did you spend last year and how did that impact your finances? What are your financial goals moving forward and what type of budget would set you up for success towards those goals?
“Being honest with yourself (and your partner/spouse if that’s a factor) is going to give you a good starting point,” she continued. “From there, set a strict budget and be diligent about sticking to it. Just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean you need it! If you have a use for it or you were planning on buying it and it’s on sale — score! But the goal should be saving money and shopping smart, so keep that at the front of your mind when you’re post-holiday shopping.”
To ensure that you don’t go overboard, Bodge suggests setting a spending limit that aligns with your budget. If you happen to be returning any gifts, that credit can be added to your spending cap so you have more to spend.
“Also, spend wisely by using a credit card that allows you to earn cash back or points on your purchase,” she adds. “If you find that your credit cards don’t offer this kind of benefit, consider switching to a cashback card, like the Bread Cashback American Express, which allows you to earn 2% on everything you buy and has no annual fee.”
Not every gift will work out, and you don’t want to be stuck with something you know that you’re never going to use. This is why a gift receipt is gold. “If you have a receipt, returning should not be a problem as long as you return within an acceptable window,” Bodge said. “To be safe, I would suggest returning before mid-January.
“Something else to keep in mind is that fee-free returns are becoming less common,” she added. “Retailers like JCPenney, Kohl’s, Belk, and Dillard’s are all charging return fees now, so you might want to consider returning in-store to avoid these fees.”
James echoes that advice, saying that knowing the store's return policy and how many days you have to make a return is one of the first things you should do. Also, if you're buying those clearance items, make sure you know if they're final sale items or not, as there are times that stores won’t allow returns for those items.
“On the plus side, many stores have an extended holiday return policy, giving you more days to make a return, often until the end of January,” James added. “So the bottom line is to be aware of the store's policy, especially on significant purchases.”
Now on to the good stuff — those items that are often the best purchases in the days after Christmas. The key is to target the right items at the right time.
“Things like toys and items that stores have a surplus of stock in will go on discount, usually around two weeks after Christmas,” Torok said. “I actually advise people (because I used to do this myself) to get their kids gift cards to places like Target and Walmart for Christmas and then wait until mid to late January to take them toy shopping. Every year like clockwork, the toy sections at these major retailers go on clearance! And it’s not just toys that are ‘holiday’ themed — toys that have surplus, toys that were brought in for Black Friday and didn’t sell, gift sets, etc. will all be a part of this clearance. They start at 30%, then 50%, 70-75%, and then finally 90%. Buying gift cards for your kids and then taking them shopping during clearance events allow the dollar to stretch further…and the holiday gift-giving joy, too!”
James said that aside from Cyber Monday, perhaps the best time to score a deal on clothing and shoes is the day after Christmas. “Last year we saw up to 60% off at American Eagle, 40% off at Banana Republic and Gap, and 50% off at J.Crew and Lands’ End,” he said. “These deals were both online and in-store.”
This is because when the new winter styles are put out for sale, they’re usually given a premium price that is rarely reduced when winter actually arrives. But the two most common times retailers turn over their clothing merchandise for the new season are January and July, which makes it a great time to buy whatever winter gear you might need for the next year. If you’re buying for kids, plan to buy a couple sizes larger than they are now to ensure it will still fit.
This is kind of a no-brainer, but post-holiday sales are the best time to stock up on decorations, ornaments, lights, nativity pieces, Christmas village pieces, and holiday décor, as you can find deals of up to 90% off the original price. Something like wrapping paper and gift bags can be expensive — and even have increased prices during the holiday season — so when you head out on December 26, stock up on those holiday essentials to put in storage until the next year.
You’re also not limited to just the holidays. If you play the game smart, you can find wrapping paper, gift bags, bows, and other décor items that can be used throughout the year — not just at Christmas. Shiny paper, plain bags, colorful bows, and tissue paper that don’t have a holiday theme can be used for birthdays, other holidays, and every other gift-giving occasion in between.
If an item was a hot gift choice over the holiday season, there’s a good chance it will be on sale after Christmas. If that “must-have” item was out of your budget, now might be the time to pick it up after the price has been slashed. However, be careful about items that could soon be obsolete. For example, if there’s a new version of a computer coming out soon, it might not be worth your money if the one now offered at a cheaper price won’t actually fit your needs in a couple of months.
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are usually the best times for buying electronics, that doesn’t mean you can’t still find great deals at the end of December. The International Consumer Electronics Show takes place every January and introduces the latest and greatest new models. Retailers know they need to make room in their stores, so they’ll want to sell off last year’s models so they have more shelf space.
Plus, retailers like Best Buy and Amazon that sell electronic goods often refer to the time after the holidays as “open-box season.” This is when things like laptops and iPads that were given as gifts, opened, and then returned, leaves stores with more unsealed merchandise than they know what to do with. There’s often nothing wrong with the item, so if you get there at the right time and ask about these items, you can often get them at a discounted rate and with a customer guarantee.
“To maximize your savings, you need to think out of the box a little bit and consider upcoming gifts you’ll likely be buying,” James said. “Think of Mother's Day, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, etc. For example, wedding season might not be for another five months, but if you know you have a wedding to attend in the near future, shop for your gift right after Christmas and save a ton of money on things like housewares, dishware, home décor, and small appliances at places like Macy’s, Mikasa, Pfaltzgraff, Nordstrom, and JCPenney.”
Things like bath and perfume/cologne sets, tools, and jewelry are all often offered at a huge discount post-holiday, so now is the time to pick them up so you’re set with the other holidays and birthdays that happen throughout the rest of the year. By thinking and shopping ahead, you can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a few months.
Some people prefer to be out in the stores, while others want the deals from their couch without dealing with crowds. When it comes to post-holiday sales, there are benefits to both options.
“The prices will likely be comparable – and if they’re not, you can ask a retailer to price match their online (or in-store) price,” Bodge advised. “But, the selection could vary. You are more likely to find a broader selection of colors and sizes if you look online, but in-store, you may find open-box items or slightly damaged items on clearance.”
Torok is a big advocate for online shopping during sales and holidays. “Most sales are online in addition to being in store, and this way you avoid mass crowds or overspending,” she said. “I’ve found that if you shop online, you’re able to see your cart and be more cognizant of how much you're buying, which helps you stick to a solid budget. But, I’m not going to lie, there’s just something so fun about grabbing a Starbucks and heading out to shop in the wee hours of the morning!”
“The pros to shopping online is you avoid the crowd and you can use online coupon codes for even extra savings,” James said. “But you won't be able to hold and touch items, making it a bit harder when shopping for clothing, home décor, and electronics.”
Speaking of coupon codes, sites like SimplyCodes and Dealspotr can help you save even more by offering verified coupons and the opportunity to earn rewards everywhere you shop. Add those savings on top of your post-holiday deals and you’ll start off the new year off with a bang — for your buck.
Found this mega-guide helpful? Learn more helpful content from the Dealspotr blog, such as our complete guide to stacking coupons or our deep-dive investigation into coupon scams. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and X for regular shopping tips and research!
Abby Heugel is an award-winning writer and editor who has done everything from managing retail trade magazines to working with clients like Meta, Lyft, Instacart, Shopify, Indeed, Amazon, Payoneer, Forbes, and Google. With a background in professional writing, proofreading, e-commerce, and retail, she’s committed to crafting the information that helps brands and consumers solve problems and make informed decisions, whether it's about buying a new computer or trying the best vegetarian recipe.
