Thinking about the day after Christmas. . .
Less than two weeks before Christmas! How are you doing? Hopefully the shopping is complete, and you are putting the finishing touches on your last minute preparations. While you are finishing up and have all your Christmas wrapping supplies out, it a good time to start thinking about the week after Christmas.
Shopping for seasonal items is always cheaper if you shop at the end of the season. Christmas is no exception. The day after Christmas you can find your supplies for next year at 50% off or more. This is the time to buy next year’s Christmas cards, wrapping paper, or gift bags. It is also a wonderful time to add to your decoration collection. Want to change over to LED lights, replace the tree topper, or need a stocking for the new baby? Buying these this year, after Christmas, will save you money.
But the savings doesn’t end there. All those prepackaged gift sets will be marked at least 1/2 off too. I like to pick these up for my gift closest, for upcoming birthdays, or just for things we need. If the packaging is overtly Christmas, simply take it apart and repackage using a gift bag or basket. Many of the packages are suitable to use for other occasions.
You may be surprised at what you find marked down. Just about everything that a store stocks with their Christmas decorations will be marked down. You can find many things that you will use for other seasons, like tape or white tissue paper. You can find things your family needs like underwear, children’s toothbrushes and paste, hair brushes and accessories, and even many clothing items significantly marked down after Christmas simply because they were packaged for Christmas.
So while you are wrapping your presents, keep a pen and paper handy. Make note of any wrapping supplies you may be running low on. Jot down any Christmas decorations you’ve been thinking of replacing, or adding to your collection. List upcoming birthdays or other occasions that you may need a present for.
Then sometime the week after Christmas (the selection will be best the day after) take your list, and head to the store. Remember to stick to your list, and to your budget as you’re shopping. Even the most drastically reduced item is not a good deal if you won’t use it, or don’t have the money for it.