You did it! You celebrated another pandemic Christmas. Likely, the gifts have been opened (or at least most of them), the dishes washed, and maybe you even have started packing away some of your decor. As the dust settles, you may want to do a little after Christmas legwork. Whether you need to exchange a gift or spend some Christmas cash, there are plenty of deals to be had. Just prepare well before you leave home with these Christmas clearance tips to make sure you make the most of every penny.
Have Everything You Need to Make a Return
Whether it’s a size exchange or a complete return, being prepared is the name of the game. Have everything you need before you even leave the house. Obviously be sure you have the items you’re returning. Also double check for both tags and receipts. Once you hit the parking lot, pull up any necessary apps/QR codes for online returns. This is especially important if you’re making Amazon returns at a brick and mortar location like Kohl’s or Whole Foods.You’ll cut down on your stress and ensure a less painful return.
Plan Your Trips Well
When you make a return, timing is everything. You’ll save yourself time and worry by going to the store early in the day to avoid the crowds. If you have multiple returns to make you may even want to line out your route for the day to avoid aimless wandering. And if you have a gift card or some reward points, treat yourself to coffee to make life a little easier, too. Most of all, set yourself a time limit, too. The more time you spend in a store, the more likely you’ll be to spend more money, too.
Clearance Best Practices
It’s easy to go wild when you see a deal. But stuff on sale is still stuff. You need to be careful when navigating the aisles. Before you begin cruising the clearance, have a set dollar amount in mind you’re able to spend. Putting a boundary around your finances will help you make wiser choices and keep you from going overboard.
Clearance You Can’t Miss
There will be plenty of items to sort through at your store. Here are my top 5 can’t miss deals:
- Solid Red Decor: Paper plates, napkins, kitchenware, fabric, and ribbons – solid red items can be used throughout the entire year. Red is the holiday color – Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, sports teams, and children’s characters. You can use these items over and over again!
- Personal Care Goods: Lotions, soaps, toothpaste, and more can be used any day of the year, no matter if the package comes with a cutely wound red and white bow. So many gift-y personal care products have their prices slashed by more than half the week after Christmas. And bonus, some allow you to use coupons, too. Whether it’s bubble bath for the kids or an extra toothbrush to put back in the months to come, be looking for great health and beauty products.
- Consumable Goods: Again, it matters not if your soap, paper towel, napkins, or paper plates bear the marks of the holiday season. And once again there might be coupons that you can pair with these great Christmas clearance deals. But in the end paper towels, napkins, and paper plates end up in the trash anyway. Why not pick them up at a fraction of the price and use them all year long. Or if space allows, save them for next December. Under consumable goods, I’d also add that you should be on the lookout for tape.
- Christmas Cards: Our local Meijer had an entire center aisle of Christmas cards on shelves that towered over my head (I am a little short, though). This week is a great time to pick up next year’s cards. We’re still functioning off some that I bought for $0.10/box – you read that right – years ago. If there’s a large supply of cards, WAIT. The price will drop further.
- Candy & Baking Mixes: I know what you’re thinking. No one wants to eat any more Christmas cookies. We’re all trying to lose weight now that it’s January (we’ll circle back around someday and talk about why that’s a poor strategy) but for now I’d agree. However, enthusiasm will wear off and you’ll find yourself snacky or responsible for bringing a treat to a gathering. I promise you, as long as it tastes yummy no one will care what the wrapper looks like or if the chocolate chips are red and green. More than one year I’ve hit the candy clearance to pick up non-melty items for soldiers and shipped them overseas
Clearance Traps to Avoid
I can’t stress that if there’s a high volume of product in your store (typical for clothing), to WAIT. Some of the best deals come after the new year when stores desperately want to clear the shelves for new products. If it’s not there when you come back, it was never meant to be and you have a few dollars more in your pocket.
Yes, it’s a good time of the year to buy a new tree or lights – if you need them. You can also pick up decor, wrapping paper, bows, craft kits, Christmas books, and the aforementioned clothing for a song. But be sure you truly do need said items and you have a place to store them where you can find those purchases next Christmas. Otherwise, skip it. And have a plan for where you’ll store anything you buy.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
