Once the wrapping paper is cleaned up and the last cookie has been eaten, savvy shoppers know that the best time to score serious savings is just beginning. In fact, after-Christmas sales are known for offering some of the deepest discounts of the year.
If
money is tight for clothing, electronics, and other items during the year, then shopping after-Christmas sales can help you get more for your
hard-earned cash. From home goods to tech gadgets, fashion to fitness — get prepared to save. Because 'tis the season for retailers to clear out their inventory with deep markdowns to make room for new stock.
To give you an edge, this article talks about when you should start your after-Christmas shopping, the categories with the best deals, the top retailers to watch — and how it might be the last opportunity to save on certain items for a while.
When do after-holiday sales start?
While some online retailers begin their post-Christmas sales on Christmas day itself, most businesses wait until the day after Christmas to re-engage consumers again. The majority of sales kick off on December 26 and, while they’ll last for a couple of weeks, the best deals are always on a "first come, first served" basis. Some people take this so seriously that they’ll ensure they’re waiting at the store as soon as the doors open.
If you’re shopping online, keep an eye on your favorite retailers so you can pick up bargains as soon as they become available. One way to do this is to sign up for the retailer’s email newsletter so all the sale information is sent directly to you ahead of time.
What items should you buy at after-Christmas sales?
After-Christmas sales are a great time to pick up deals on all sorts of products — especially seasonal items or those tied to holiday shopping trends. For instance, you can save a lot of money if you buy next year’s Christmas cards, wrapping, and decorations right after the holiday when retailers are clearing their shelves with deep discounts. Since stores are very keen on you visiting them rather than their competitors, they often offer very enticing bargains.
Plenty of stock won’t be discounted, however. For instance, if products are limited and always in demand, then retailers might not reduce their prices. But if you have a keen eye and are flexible about your purchases, you should find some real gems.
To further focus your shopping needs, here are some of the most popular and valuable types of products to watch for after Christmas. Happy hunting!
Home decor: Retailers need space for spring collections, making after Christmas a great time to buy your holiday-themed décor, bedding, and furniture for the rest of the winter or next year. Stores like Wayfair, Target, and Home Depot typically offer deep discounts on seasonal items at this time.
Tech and electronics: Tech gadgets see heavy markdowns post-Christmas as retailers clear out excess holiday stock. Look for bargains from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart on items like headphones, smart speakers, and accessories.
Fashion: Many fashion retailers offer bargains after Christmas. Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Nike have offered significant markdowns on clothing, shoes, and accessories in the past.
Wellness and beauty: Health and wellness products are in high demand around New Year's because of all those resolutions. You can find great deals on beauty gift sets, skincare, and fitness gear from retailers like Bath & Body Works, Ulta, and Amazon.
Toys and games: After the holidays, many stores drastically reduce prices on toys to clear leftover inventory. This is a great time to stock up for birthdays or even next year’s holiday season. Look for deals at Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
Kitchen and home appliances: At the end of the year, many retailers offer major discounts on items like coffee machines, blenders, and cookware, and other appliances to make room for new inventory. Macy’s, Lowe’s, and Best Buy usually have big markdowns.
While after-Christmas sales vary from year to year, many retailers have established a reliable pattern of offering sizable discounts across particular categories. These 15 major stores typically mark down items during the post-holiday season.
Amazon: In addition to its Prime Days and Black Friday discounts, Amazon offers year-end deals across its categories after Christmas. Among last year’s bargains were Nespresso coffee machines, Roombas, and suitcase sets.
Walmart: Post-Christmas clearance at Walmart often includes significant markdowns on toys, holiday decor, and small appliances. In 2024, there were huge discounts on Lego, Ninja kitchen appliances, and LG TVs.
Wayfair: This retailer’s end-of-year clearance regularly slashes prices on rugs, chairs, and bedding. Last year, shoppers saw markdowns of up to 70% on many items, including sofas, beds, and storage.
Best Buy: You can get significant savings on electronics at Best Buy after Christmas. In 2024, the discounts included 44% off TCL TVs and 50% off Google Nest speakers.
Lowe’s: This home improvement giant frequently runs a post-Christmas closeout event. Their 2024 sale included up to 30% off major appliances and up to 40% off lights and ceiling fans.
Target: One of the best sales for bargain hunters happens at Target. Last year, shoppers managed to find gift wrap, ornaments, and artificial trees with 90% discounts and toys with 70% discounts.
Macy’s: Macy’s After-Christmas Sale traditionally features reductions of 50–75% on apparel and home textiles. Last year, shoppers saved 40% on sofas.
Bloomingdale’s: In previous sales, shoppers have saved up to 65% on designer clothing, shoes, jewelry, and other items.
Nordstrom: This retailers Half-Yearly Sale begins right after Christmas, with discounts of up to 60% on shoes, winter wear, and accessories. Brands like Patagonia and Cole Haan have been significantly discounted in the past.
Adidas: Adidas’s end-of-season sale typically offers up to 60% off athletic wear and footwear.
Nike: Nike offered up to 60% off branded shoes and clothing in its post-Christmas clearance event in 2024.
Bath & Body Works: This body-care retailer is a great place to treat yourself. Shoppers saved up to 75% on candles, soaps, and lotions last year.
Ulta: This big cosmetic retailer has huge discounts at the end of the year. Previously, it offered 50% discounts on makeup, hair products, and skincare items.
Home Depot: Home organization and storage items see strong markdowns in late December. For example, in 2024, many power tools and shelving units were discounted by up to 40%.
Hobby Lobby: Last year, fans of this craft chain found bargains of up to 75% off photo frames, art supplies, and sewing materials.
Are sales better before or after Christmas?
In truth, it depends on what you're shopping for. Black Friday and Cyber Monday typically offer the steepest discounts of the year, especially on electronics, appliances, and popular gift items. These pre-holiday events are designed to drive massive volume and often feature limited-time promotions that are hard to beat.
On the other hand, after-Christmas sales are great for clearance items like seasonal decor, winter clothing, and any inventory retailers need to move before the new year. While the overall discounts might not surpass Black Friday’s highs, the deals can still be significant, especially if you're shopping for off-season or non-gift items.
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FAQs
Are there any sales after Christmas?
Yes! Many retailers offer massive post-Christmas sales to clear out leftover inventory. You’ll find discounts on clothing, electronics, home decor, and more.
What are after-Christmas sales called?
They’re often referred to as post-holiday sales, year-end clearance sales, or simply after-Christmas sales. Some retailers also brand them as Boxing Day sales, although this is more common in Canada and the UK.
Does Amazon have an after-Christmas sale?
Yes. Amazon offers year-end deals on thousands of products after Christmas. Last year’s sales saw discounts of up to 70%.
Does Best Buy have after-Christmas sales?
Yes, Best Buy’s end-of-year clearance features markdowns on TVs, laptops, appliances, and smart home devices.
Are there sales in December?
Definitely. December sees major sales events like Green Monday, 12 Days of Deals, and pre-Christmas promotions. However, the deepest discounts happen after Christmas.
Is after Christmas the best time to shop?
For many categories like apparel, holiday decor, and seasonal goods, yes, after the holidays is a great time to shop for deals. After-Christmas is one of the best times of the year to find bargains.
Are there online sales after Christmas?
Along with in-store deals, most major retailers also offer online-only deals, flash sales, and promo codes right after Christmas. You can often find extra savings on the store’s apps and email newsletters.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
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