What to Buy After the Holidays

You made your list. Checked it twice (or more, most likely), and ensured that everyone on your wish list had a wonderful holiday.

You undoubtedly made the most of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday and even Small Business Saturday, so not only did you deliver an array of gifts but also saved money in the process.

And with that, you can put away your spending for yet another year.

Or, so you think.

Post-holiday shopping often is the best time to find deals on plenty of worthwhile items, either as a means to stock up for next season or ultimately to buy gifts for yourself (remember you, right?). The gifts for yourself could be all the more reason to return what someone else got you (your secret is safe, don’t worry), and get what you want, particularly if it means getting a great bargain on it, too.

Most retailers are adept at realizing that the after Christmas and holiday marketplace for their products is going to take a huge dip in the sales department, so they’ll be inclined to discount heavily to keep some of the momenta it had during the actual holiday rush.

Sure, you’ll see crowds after the holidays, but most of that, as retailers suggest, are to return items, and not necessarily buy anything. But the retail marketplace is aggressive, and knows that if someone is coming in to make a return, you can easily have them not only get what they want but spend money in the process, providing the deal is good, but the products are the ones that get discounted the most.

Retailers who deal in holiday decor and clothing are typically where you’ll find the bulk of your deals, including cash back offers when you spend a certain amount or up to 60 or 70 percent off the sticker price, often rivaling that of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Almost immediately after the holidays, you’ll see a 50 percent markdown. Less than a week after the holidays, you’re going to be more in the 75 percent range.^[1]

But let’s get specific on the products you should be seeking out after the holidays. Here a few of the more lauded ones off that list:

Winter Apparel

No surprise here, as clothing is discounted heavily for post-Christmas and holiday sales. A lot of that mindset has to do with the fact that clothing is so seasonal and as soon as January or February, you’ll steadily see the spring wardrobe start to fluctuate into the store.

Clothing retailers understand how important it is to “flip” merchandise and with that comes a laundry list of legendary deals you should consider, particularly in stocking up for winter apparel and accessories. The smart play always is to buy clothing when it is on sale but more so at the tail end of a season, hence the big discount as the year comes to a halt.

Winter Apparel, if you go by last year’s numbers, is discounted on average to the tune of about 50 percent, again that is substantial and goes neck in neck with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.^[2]

Perhaps you took advantage of Cyber Monday deals as far as clothing goes (clothing is always best purchased on Cyber Monday versus Black Friday), but the day after the holidays often is your time to buy those same winter clothes for yourself, so now you can reap those same discounts, as well.

Clothing, in general, takes the cake for after Christmas sales, roughly 45 percent of all discounted items post-holiday are tops, bottoms, jeans, pants, belts and all things apparel.^[3]

Holiday Decorations

Another no-brainer that clearly belongs on the list. Ironically, most don’t take advantage of this for one big reason: why buy when the season is over (I’m taking lights down, not putting them up again). Purchasing items like lights, decorations, wreaths, and others of that ilk aren’t at the forefront of your mind, but you are missing out on saving a huge chunk of change.

So what if you have to hold on to the items for another year (that’s what the garbage and attic are for)? Think of it in more practical terms: maybe you’re decorations are old or outdated; you’ve had them for far too long and you want to spruce things up a bit.

Now is the time to buy.

On average, holiday decorations are marked down to between 50 and 75 percent off, and the longer you wait, the more that number rises.^[4]

In some circles, depending on the retailer (think Target and Wal-Mart) they aren’t interested in cluttering up the aisles and end caps with holiday-themed items, so they’re even more inclined to say so long to these products. Retailers can discount as much as 90 percent off holiday themed items.^[5]

Just remind yourself that these items, while already past as far as relevancy, will save you money the following year. Why spend hundreds on ornaments, lights and other holiday-related paraphernalia next season, when you can purchase and save, while simply holding on to it for another 12 months.

Don’t forget too that it's just not decorations, either. Be on the lookout for deals and tremendous pricing on tape, wrapping paper, and Christmas cards. One store in particular that stands out is the Dollar Tree, offering 50 percent off all things Christmas the day after December 25.^[6]

Cars, Trucks, SUV’s

If you’ve ever worked in sales, you understand the importance of sales goals and quotas, and in particular, the sales forums that deal in new inventory that is constantly being groomed to be sold from one year to the next.

Car dealerships are the epitome of this philosophy, as the 2017 models are already being reduced significantly to “make room” (an overused marketing term for cars, trucks and SUV’s) for the 2018 models.

But unlike most sales pitches, that “make room” one is very true, so post-holiday shopping should include upgrading to a new vehicle if you’re in the market for one.

Dealers are primed to give you the best trade-in value but more significantly they’re ready to discount last year’s model even more so.

Usually higher priced and mid-sized SUV’s are the best deals^[7]

Your neighborhood car salesperson wants that year-end bonus, so make sure you realize that and take full advantage of a sticker price that is very much negotiable.

Fitness Equipment

All that talk about New Year’s Resolutions brings with it the notion that you’re not in the best of shape these days, particularly after the holiday season brought with it tons of food, sweets and candy, and you eating way too much of all three and then some.

But have no fear as your waistline won’t have to wait much longer with deals abounding on all things fitness related, whether you’re in the market for a home gym, benches and free weights or if you’re wanting to get a membership at a gym or health club.

Retailers such as Sears and Sports Authority have been busy over the past few years with discounts. In 2014, Sears chopped off 50 percent on ellipticals and treadmills, while Sports Authority was quick to deliver $50 off a $250 order.^[8]

January is when health clubs offer membership specials to join, often waiving enrollment fees and discounting the monthly dues, the post-holiday rush also proves beneficial for those wanting to get a jump start on January 1.

Planet Fitness and LA Fitness, two of the larger and more nationally recognized chains aren’t wasting any time promoting deals for the new year. Planet, for example, offered a $1 enrollment fee last year and most likely will follow suit in 2018.^[9]

Most gyms, much like car dealerships, want to do two things before the end of the year wraps up: finish the year strong and try to capitalize on that immediate want of the general public the moment the last holiday cookie hits their tongue and drop of eggnog goes down oh, so smoothly.

In addition, fitness clothing also takes a price tag nosedive, with discounts on sneakers, sweats and athletic gear for men, women and even kids, some of those shoes hit an astronomical 92 percent off after the holidays.^[10]

Gift Cards

Talk about a license to make money: gift cards are the way to go. Various web sites offer plenty of discounts if you’re in the market to buy gift cards, basically the unwanted and unused ones that were handed out during the holidays, but won’t ever be used.

Consumers turn them in for a discounted price, most of the time because they want to receive cash back since they’ll never use the gift card at the specific retailer that bears its name. With that, second-hand websites buy the gift cards for half price, typically, and then turn around and sell them for a profit, but still not at face value.

That’s when the savvy post-holiday shopper hops in and buys up these cards in masses.

These “exchange” sites don't just have obscure cards from even more obscure retailers, either. You’ll see names like Target, Wal-Mart and other more notable vendors, with Target being one noted, for example, last year at 32 percent discount off the face value of the card.^[11]

In addition to discount sites, take advantage of memberships you carry at price club or warehouse stores as well, such as Sam’s Club. Often these places will discount gift cards off face value year round and more so after the holidays to the tune of 15 to 20 percent off what is actually on the card.^[12]

Restaurants, much like the price club shops like Sam’s Club, also are keen on keeping the gift card price lower than what is actually on the card or simply offering addition dollars for a certain amount spent on a card. The latter example comes in the form of buying a $50 gift card and getting $10 extra to spend. Those deals are free money, plain and simple.

Spots like Papa John’s and Applebee’s, as recent as 2015, offered gift cards for less than what was on them.^[13]

The majority of shoppers breathe a collective sigh of relief when the holidays have concluded. With their wallets stretched and thoughts of the new year (and those resolutions) are on the horizon, they’re all too quick to close down shop as far as spending goes.

And while that makes perfect financial sense, you might actually be missing out on deals that actual are more practical and purposeful than you think, such as joining a gym after you’ve spent far too much time and effort eating over the past 6 to 8 weeks.

Holiday decorations also is another no-brainer but part of that takes planning as well, along with resigning yourself to enjoy the decorations you have this season, avoiding going out and buying new ones before the holidays and instead just waiting for them to go on sales to the tune of 50 to 90 percent off retail.

This isn’t to say you should emulate another massive holiday sales bill but instead be mindful of making the best purchases possible given need and the idea that you’re not freely tossing money around and aside.

Instead, you’re simply being smart with your money and not turning a blind eye to saving money, even if you just finished spending quite a bit of it.