It's the New Year! Let the Christmas Shopping Begin!

My wife and I learned some years back that we could do our Christmas shopping much more economically if we began shopping during the after Christmas sales, and continued shopping sales all year long. We keep some 40 gallon plastic tubs in our home in which we put gifts as we make our way through the year. We have found that some items are most likely to go on sale after Christmas, but others have their best sale prices at other times. When you keep an eye open for the sales, you can find great bargains all year long. Look for such items as games, toys, stuffed animals, electronic gadgets, book sets and more. Remember, the fact that something is on clearance after Christmas does not mean that it is not good. It is really a matter of the sales projections relative to the sales for retail stores. If they bought more of something than they sold, the surplus is usually sold at clearance, rather than the retailer paying to transport it to storage. pay for the storage space all year, and then pay to transport it back next Christmas season. It is actually a win-win situation, in which you get great deals, and the store liberates invested money, saves additional expenses and can use the money and savings to buy other goods which can be sold profitably now. You save big while helping the retailer manage their overstocked goods.

This is the time to buy Christmas Decorations

The shopping for us usually starts by looking at clearanced Christmas decorations. We add some ornaments to our tree every year. Usually, the new ones were bought in January during the after Christmas sales, and then put away until we set up our tree again following Thanksgiving. Sometimes we find some absolutely gorgeous Christmas decorations like snow globes and Nativity sets on clearance after Christmas, and occasionally we find ones that make great gifts for friends or family. I actually keep an eye open for unique tinsels that I can use for my fly tying work. When you hit items at clearance price, you can usually save 50% or more. I have found fanatastic bargains at 90% off! You can also find great deals on candy canes, and as long as they are stored somewhere cool and dry, hard candy can last for a very long time... no problem getting that for next Christmas! Stay away from soft candies or jelly filled candies. They do not store as well.

Gift Sets Go on Clearance Too

All of those very expensive gifts sets go on sale now as well. Everything from fragrance collections to tool kits have to go to make room for non-seasonal merchandise. You can buy some very expensive gifts for a fraction of what you will pay if you wait until next December to get them. You might have to check in at several stores to find the best deals. You will know the if the price is right when you see it. If it is more than you want to pay, look around. Someone else may have something you like at a better price. Just stay away from the food gift sets unless you are planning to use them yourself right away. You don't want the food to age for an extra year before you give it to someone.

Buy Holiday Clothing for Next Year Now

Wishing you had a Santa hat this year, or one of those cute Christmas sweaters? You could wait until December and pay a lot more, or see if you can find what you like right now. You might even find something to give as a gift.

Think About Getting a Few Extra Items

Get a few extra items while you are at it, for no one in particular. These will come in handy for office Christmas parties, Toys for Tots or other charity gift drives, and you can also put away a few miscellaneous gifts with a sticky note tagged on under the ribbon that tells what it is. That way if you have an unexpected guest for Christmas, or someone you just plain forgot, you are already prepared.

Don't forget Wrapping Paper!

Wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, bows and nametags are all on clearance. Now is the time to stock up. They have no expiration date. Just put them someplace safe where they won't get wet or crushed. It can save you a ton of money each year if you are using what you bought in January clearance sales.

Internet Retailers are Offering Bargains too!

Don't forget to search internet retail sources such as Amazon or eBay for some amazing bargains following the Christmas rush. You can do this from your home and save time too!

A Couple of Last Suggestions

When you buy gifts in advance, there is no reason to wait until the last minute to get them wrapped and labeled. You can do this at your leisure over the months leading up until Christmas. You will be surprised how much easier and less hectic it makes Christmas when you are not trying to pull everything together at the last minute. It leaves you free to focus more on what you want to do, rather than scurrying here and there chasing what you have to do, and hoping that you will get it all done in time. It really does help make for a merrier and more enjoyable Christmas!

David