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Creatively Frugal Uses for After-Holiday Clearance Finds
"What are some of the creative ways you use holiday clearance merchandise
for other purposes?"
"After Christmas clearance is not
just on wrapping paper etc. All the winter necessities are also on
clearance! Last year, we knew we were expecting a baby girl. In January,
I bought a 6-9 month Christmas dress that was $38 marked down to $6.
My daughter Maggie had it on in the picture and will wear it for the
holiday. PJs, slippers, robes also all go on sale in January. I plan
on stocking up PJs in the next two sizes for both by daughters. Dish
cloths, placemats, little hand towels all go on sale Dec 26 and by
New Years they are really marked down. I buy those for hostess
gifts. Cookie tins, plates and the like also go on sale. Since I
give trays of homemade goodies as gifts, the plates are used every
year. Actually, many resale shops have these tins and plates after
people clean out their house for the new year and donate. The prices
are usually almost nothing and can be used the following year. Also
don't forget winter coats and winter boots go on sale. Buy your
children the next size or two up and put it in the closet. It costs
a lot less than when you buy it in October." ~ Amy
"I purchase children's toys
into January for use for birthday presents throughout the year.
And, I already have the next year's present list printed out (it is
rather lengthy) to begin to get birthday and Christmas gifts for
family and friends. (I alternate years giving seasonal
napkins/plates/cups as 'before Christmas' gifts to office mates and
can usually hold it to $1-2 per person.)" ~ Carmen
"I always buy candy after the
holidays. Hershey Kisses, M&Ms, mini Reese's, Butterfingers,
etc., are all great for baking. You're taking the wrappers off
anyway so it doesn't matter that they were 'holiday' candy. Last
year I even separated the M&M's so I had red for Valentine's Day
and green for St. Patricks! I also stock up on white tissue paper
that I use all year and can be personalized with rubber stamps! Plus
I look for holiday baking items at the national drugstores. Since
they don't carry these items year-round they are also clearanced.
Some of the items I got last year were sweetened condensed milk,
baking chocolate, chocolate chips, cranberry sauce, and baking
powder. Happy after Christmas shopping!" ~ Kim
"I try to find solid color wrapping paper and curly ribbon to
use for birthday wrapping for the rest of the year." ~
Grace
"Packages of wrapped candies
can be separated by color (red for Valentines, green for St.
Patrick's Day). Also, preschoolers can cut up and glue on anything
colorful, shiny, or unusual." ~ Dana
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"I usually hit the discount
stores for the 'girly' gifts like lip gloss assortments, hair
accessories, and bath products. I use these year round for
birthday gifts. I keep a gift shelf in a closet and every time we
get a party invitation, we take out the gift bag and see what we
have. I've also gotten Hot Wheels, book lights, and other small
stocking stuffer things as well. For wrapping paper, I buy the
Christmas ones but also look for some that are more plain that
could be used as any occasion wrap. I also stock up on baking
supplies. In the past, Wal-mart has had real vanilla extract
(not the imitation stuff) on clearance and I loaded up! I also get
cupcake wrappers and use them year-round. Don't just look at the
gifts, decorations, and paper. Check out other items that they
clearance at this time as well." ~ Mary
"I make a list of all of the little nieces' and
nephews' birthdays and try to find clearance toys or
clothing for their birthday gifts. I also like to find
generic things (glass candle holders, picture frames,
placemats and napkins) that can be used for adult
gifts. Do I have any baby or bridal showers coming up?
That also goes on the list and I look for things that
would work for that. My mom has 35 great grandchildren
that she buys gifts for. We always take her shopping the
day after Christmas to get started on her gifts for the
following year. She gets bath sets for half off for the
older girls, and funny T-shirts (Christmas type with cute
sayings) or wool socks for the boys. The little ones get
dolls, puzzles, cars, etc. She was able to get
fleece hooded jackets one year for a good number of the
kids for a few dollars each. The stores need and want to
clear this stuff out and fast. But the after Christmas
sales are not the only time to do these things. I always
search out the clearance racks every time I go to stores.
I got $34.00 Buster Brown outfits for 2 of my great
nephews for $1.99 by just being there at the right time.
Saving money takes time but if you are willing to invest
some time you can and will save." ~ Sandy
"I try to buy as much reduced Christmas stuff
as my budget allows. Last year I bought a bunch of
gift bags, ribbon, etc. at 75% off and then stashed them
in my closet for use this year. Same with Easter. One
store had Easter grass (the paper kind) reduced down to
about 25 cents a bag. I bought all different colors. They
make good filler for gift bags and baskets. I look for
reduced items for my daughter. Her birthday is Jan 14th.
I use those items for her birthday presents. I am always
on the look out for lotions, soaps, etc. They make nice
teacher's gifts. Just trying to remember what you bought
last year is a challenge in itself!" ~ Juli
Editor's Note: Thanks to these readers for taking time to share
their ideas!
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