Counting the Cost

"The BEST bargains for after Christmas sales are at the dollar store. Last year I picked up paper for 50 cents a roll, Christmas candy for 25 cents a package ( we picked out the red ones and used for Valentines Day!) and photo albums (with winter/Christmas scenes) for 50 cents each. The kids LOVED each getting their own little album to put their pictures and favorite cards in." ~ Sharon

"1] I make the most of after Christmas sales by purchasing birthday and other occasion gifts at substantial savings.
2] Many items considered 'holiday decor' can be used to decorate your home anytime! For example, I have purchased table linens in white, gold and silver at 75% off the original price!
3] Try to think 'out of the box' and purchase large tablecloths as fabric for sewing and crafting projects.
4] If you always decorate in the same color scheme, you can give new life to what you already have by adding just one new item.
5] If you are thinking about changing your decorating style or color scheme next Christmas [I went with blue, purple, silver & gold this year], there's not a better time than after Christmas to make those purchases at substantial savings. You also won't feel so guilty about making a few new purchases!" ~ Candy <><

"Years ago I realized that the unpredictable part of my list was what was really consuming my budget. Sometimes there are 0 “generic” grab bag kind of gifts to buy and sometimes it seems like there’s a million. I hate to buy things at the dollar store for other people because things usually look like they’re from the dollar store :) Unless it’s gift bags, wrapping paper,etc. Anyway I had a part time job at Target one year and I was working the day after Christmas. We were prepared for tons of people to storm through with returns as soon as we opened and nothing happened! Every year after that I go to Target as soon as they open the day after Christmas. Sometimes I bring some friends that I’m encouraging to be frugal and I make a thermos of coffee, homemade latte or something for us and it’s really fun! I buy as many “generic” gifts of mug sets, etc. for less than $3 each and they were $10+ It’s great because they keep forever – I just toss them in one of those big rubbermaid boxes and they’re a little better than giving someone something from the dollar store. Usually Target opens at 7am and since it’s empty it goes really quick-less than half an hour and I have time to hit other stores for my returns/exchanges -home in time to sit around in flannel pants and drink coffee for the rest of the day while everyone else is fighting parking lots, snow and hassle!" ~ Helen

"Some things will be outdated or no longer the 'must-have' item by next Christmas. Here are a few things I grab at after-Christmas sales:

* Stocking stuffers for next year -- silly Christmas socks, holiday pens/pencils, coloring books
* Ornaments -- as long as they are not dated
* Cards, wrapping paper -- I especially look for wrapping paper that is not
specifically 'Christmasy.' Solid colors, stripes, etc can be used for other
gift-giving occasions. Same for gift bags.
* Candles, bath sets -- perfect for birthdays and other occasions.
* Tinsel -- Last year I purchased several boxes of tinsel (icicles) for .05 each at an after-Christmas sale. This year, I used the tinsel as the cushion/filler in several homemade gift baskets. Very festive!

These are just a few of the items I have purchased. Also, if you are lucky enough to receive gift certificates for Christmas, using them at the after- Christmas sales can mean you get twice the bang for your buck!" ~ Becki

"I live in the UK, and most stores here start their sales on Dec 26. That is a family day for us, but I do shop on Dec 27, when I always buy all my Christmas cards, wrapping, etc for the following year. They go straight into a cupboard in my spare room; that means one thing less to think about each December. I can rarely afford to shop the real 'sales', but this saves me so much money. The reductions on Christmas merchandise are massive!" ~ Cate

"I stay home and save my money. I wrap gifts in fabric, using the same fabric each year. I have all the Christmas decorations I need. Enough! I bought an artificial tree this year, so I will never need a new one. So the most money I save is not buying anything." ~ Tonya

Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share his or her ideas!

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