Post Christmas Shopping

I've been taking some time offline to spend the holidays with my family, but I wanted to pop in to give you all a few of my post-holiday shopping tricks and tips.  If you read my post-Halloween blog entry, some of this will sound familiar.  :)

My number one tip for post-Christmas shopping is to think outside of the box.  Yes, you are going to find some GREAT deals on Christmas/Holiday decorations.  I always pick up a few things to spruce up my house next year.  But if you don't need decor and you are thinking about skipping the Post-Christmas clearance, think again!  Many stores (specifically Target) will include anything with Christmas/Holiday branding in their clearance.  Some things to look for include:

-Cookies, Crackers, and Candy with holiday labels (Oreos always have a holiday package, as do Ritz crackers)

-Paper goods...and not just holiday paper plates and cups!  Look for holiday print paper towels, napkins, Reynold's Wrap, and Kleenex.  These things go FAST once clearanced, so you may have to get really lucky to find some at this point. 

-Stocking stuffers...not just the little toys (though I always pick some of those up for next year's stockings, too).  Look for chapstick sets, playdoh, art supplies, and other similar things that you can use all year, even though they may come in a Christmas package

Target's markdowns start at 50% off the day after Christmas, then will usually drop to 75% off around 3-4 days after Christmas, then 90% off about a week after Christmas.  And once they mark everything down, it will ALL automatically ring up at the marked down price (no clearance sticker required).  Remember to use the scanner to find out what the REAL price is...don't believe the signage!

As for the toy section...skip it!!  Yes, you will find some things marked down, but the REAL toy clearance starts in a few weeks!  Stay tuned to this blog for more tips on how to score some hot deals on toys (as if you need more toys)! 

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!!