Best Buys at the After Christmas Sales-Everyone knows that you can find some great deals the day after Christmas, but you may not have thought about these 6 After-Christmas Best Buys and the creative uses for them.
Christmas Decor
Wreaths, artificial Christmas trees and lights will be on sale so you can purchase them for next year, but you can also recycle holiday items for other uses. Greenery wreaths, for example, can be used for winter home decor if you replace glittery ornaments with natural items like pine cones.
Another fun idea is to string those white Christmas lights into your indoor plants (especially ficus trees) to enjoy some festivity throughout the year.
Christmas Candy
After Christmas sales are a great time to stock up on sweet treats. Candy in red wrappers can be reused for Valentine’s Day in a couple of months, and chocolate can be frozen to use in baking later in the year.
Check out my Baking With Candy Pinterest Board here for ideas to use that candy.
Clothing
Not only will Christmas themed shirts be on sale, but you may find other clothing items up to 90% off as retailers try to clear the stores to make inventory easier. If you have small children, this may be a good time to buy ahead.
Movies and Video Games
Look for deep discounts on dvds and video games now that the primary sales season is over. According to Deal News, some video games reach their lowest prices of the year right after Christmas.
You can add these to your personal collection, or save them to give as gifts like this Movie Night Basket for the movie lover with a birthday coming up.
Gift Sets
Speaking of gifts, one of the best After Christmas deals is prepackaged gift sets. Look for bath, fragrance, cooking and makeup sets at deep discounts. Save them for next Christmas or give them as birthday gifts. (Note: Makeup kits should be used within 6 months.)
A great money saving strategy is to purchase super cheap items with Christmas packaging, then repackage them in gift baskets from the thrift store. No one needs to know you paid less than $5.00 for that fabulous gift!
(Speaking of thrift stores, you’ll find lots of great items there in January when everyone cleans house!)
Gift Bags and Wrap
Of course, we can’t forget the wrapping paper, but don’t just buy for next Christmas. Now is the perfect time to stock up on wrapping supplies for the rest of the year. Look for gift bags and wrap with abstract designs that you can use for birthdays or other events. Silver foil is great for anniversary or wedding gifts, but it can also be used for baby showers if you use the right embellishments.
Remember, only buy these sale items if you actually have money in the budget. Those $3.00 gift baskets are not a great deal if buying them keeps you from paying the power bill in January. 
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My husband bought me full price jeans $45.00 for Christmas! This was really nice of him, but I’m going back to the store with the receipt! I’m sure they are on sale now! Even if I save $10 dollars, it’s worth it. We love our hubbys for working so hard! Next year I’m sending my daughter with him to find the sales! 🙂
I found some great baking mixes and peppermint icings that are good until next year. 50% off was great and I’ll be set to bake with my little girl next Christmas!
Wow–the expiration date is next year? That’s great!
I purchased a bunch of gift sets today on sale for $2.50 I use them as Family Birthday gifts throughout the year. I also purchased a few extra for invites to Birthday Parties I may not have planned for 🙂 I had to put out $20 but in the long run it will save me from running out and over spending.
Woohoo!
Hi second that last comment “Remember, only buy these sale items if you actually have money in the budget. Those $3.00 gift baskets are not a great deal if buying them keeps you from paying the power bill in January” it could be the best deal ever but if you buy something you cant afford and cant do something you need its not worth it 🙂
Just a quick side note, some makeup items should not be saved for a year and then used. Some products expiration dates are not that long (even if one isn’t listed on the packaging).
Thanks Jewel. I just updated the post.