We all know to shop for wrapping paper, boxes, gift bags and the like after Christmas, but for the last two years I’ve also added to my cart a Gingerbread House kit at 80% off. I store it with the Christmas decorations and the kids delight in seeing their special surprise when we unpack everything from last year.
An hour of fun.
A holiday decoration.
All for $2.99.
What items do you look for at the After-Christmas sales?
This post is linked to Frugal Friday.
So glad you posted this. This is a great reminder for me to look for one for next year!
That’s a really great idea ~ I’m definitely adding that to the list this year!
I *love* the 75% off after-Christmas sales… and really love when Target goes 90% off!
~ Heidi
That’s a smart idea – since we don’t eat it anyway, it makes perfect sense to buy it after Christmas!
I don’t have anything in particular I look for at after Christmas sales. Last year, I stocked up on wrapping supplies so I won’t need to do that again for awhile. This year, I think it’s gonna be more strands of white lights.
I never even thought of that! I might have to be on the lookout for one of those this year. Besides that, I’ll probably just be on the lookout for toys and stocking stuffers. I did a good chunk of my Christmas shopping for the kids last year after Christmas.
Oh, the kids would love doing this!!! What a steal!!!
I buy wrapping paper and decorations after Christmas. We also found dark green extension cords and power cubes on great discounts a couple years ago. Since we are starting a lighting business next year we will be stocking up on those this year. We also purchase any plastic storage bins we need after Christmas.
Wow, I never thought about getting one of those Wilton Houses for ‘next year.’ I’m definitely going to look for that.
I’m also hoping to get my hands on some fancy cookie boxes (I like Martha Stewart’s set) since I like to bake and give away cookies.
And here’s a tip for post season Christmas shopping that you can use when it isn’t Christmas yet: ornaments for shower gifts! Really, you could get $100 worth of nice ornaments for about ten bucks, box them up nicely, and give them to the bride-to-be for her first Christmas tree. Most young couples don’t think about buying them, and probably can’t afford enough to cover a tree!
Don’t forget that red and white ribbon can be used for Valentine’s Day or July Fourth. Green is great for St. Patrick’s Day. I buy discount Kisses and divide up the reds and greens for Valentine’s or St. Pat’s.
Plain wrap (without any actual Christmas pictures) can be used for gift wrap all year. Speaking of those wedding-gift ornaments, you can wrap the box with silver “Christmas” paper.
Wrapping paper, cards, decorative ceramic loaf pans, ornaments I loved but was too cheap to shell out the dough for pre-holiday (LOL)!
I forgot to add that buying gift bags, tissue paper, paper plates, napkins, plastic cups,etc. in solid red and solid green saves A TON! Red is good for Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and green is great for St. Patty’s Day and Halloween.
I really need to do this more. I usually do buy a bunch of candy for 1/2 off.
I did this last year and found a bunch of great things still in the bag with the receipt when opened the Christmas bins. I was amazed at my deals. Tons of things including stockings for $.50, plastic buckets for storing cookies for $.25, bows for .10, and a gingerbread house for $1.00 that we made last week. The frosting needed a little more water than it called for and the candy was pretty hard but we don’t usually eat it anyway. My three kids and husband were all involved and it was great! Will definitely do it again! Oh yeah, I got little cookie mixes too that came with cookie cutters and they were just fine.
Amy, I just picked up a gingerbread house kit for 49 cents (whoo!) similar to yours, but not assembled, just pre-baked. I see you store yours just with your Christmas stuff… I was wondering about tossing it in the freezer, I think I’d take it out of the box and try to condense space a bit. I’m pretty sure that Goose will at least try to eat the candy next year, though maybe if it’s icky and hard, she won’t want to eat much and I’ll come out better? :>) Just wondering out loud, I guess. Thanks!
49¢?! Wow! That beats the $2.50 I spent at Wal Mart this year.
Here’s what I’ve learned about the candy… I think it could be 10 years old and be just as “edible” as it is fresh. My kids snuck some this year, rascals. If you have room in your freezer, go for it!