The day after Christmas used to be a quiet stretch of time when people lounged around in pajamas, picked at leftover pie, and tried to remember where they hid the TV remote. Now, it’s a full-on shopping holiday of its own. Retailers don’t just lower prices—they clear shelves like they’re preparing for a surprise inspection. December 26 has become a treasure hunt for anyone willing to trade a little post-holiday fatigue for some serious bargains. Stores slash prices to make room for new inventory, get rid of seasonal stock, and take advantage of shoppers returning unwanted gifts. Whether you’re looking for winter clothing, next year’s décor, or a new gadget to replace the one that mysteriously stopped working on Christmas morning, this is one of the best times of the year to shop.
What makes after-Christmas sales so appealing is that they hit across categories, and many discounts are steeper than Black Friday. Retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and major department stores routinely offer markdowns on electronics, holiday décor, clothing, beauty products, fitness equipment, and household essentials. It’s the moment when patient shoppers are rewarded, impulse buyers are vindicated, and everyone realizes they probably should’ve waited just one more week before buying anything in December.
Cars
While cars aren’t exactly sold in the “clearance aisle,” the days right after Christmas fall into one of the strongest car-buying windows of the entire year. Dealerships want to hit end-of-year sales quotas, clear out remaining models before the new year, and move vehicles that have been sitting on the lot longer than they’d like. Because of that, the week between Christmas and New Year’s often features some of the deepest incentives—cash-back offers, dealer discounts, and lower APR financing. Many automakers also run year-end promotional events that stack manufacturer rebates with dealer markdowns, making this period especially appealing for buyers who prefer timing over haggling.
Another perk is that foot traffic at dealerships slows down after the holiday rush. With fewer shoppers browsing, sales teams are more motivated to negotiate, and buyers have more breathing room to compare models without feeling rushed. It’s also the final stretch for dealers to reduce taxable inventory before the year closes, which works in the buyer’s favor.
Holiday Décor
If you’ve ever looked at a $35 ornament in early December and thought, “It’s cute, but not that cute,” the after-Christmas sales were made for you. Retailers mark down holiday décor by 50–75% the moment December 26 rolls around, and sometimes even more as the week goes on. Everything from wrapping paper to wreaths to artificial trees gets pushed out the door so stores can reset for spring merchandise. It’s one of the smartest ways to prepare for next year without feeling like you’re overspending on items that only see the light of day for a few weeks.
Shopping for décor after Christmas also gives you the chance to upgrade without guilt. Maybe your lights were flickering like a struggling diner sign this year, or your tree topper gave up halfway through the season. This is the perfect time to restock, refresh, or reinvent your holiday look. And the best part? You can tuck everything away and completely forget about it until next November, when you’ll delightfully rediscover that you saved yourself money—and a stressful shopping trip.
Winter Clothing & Outerwear
Once Christmas is over, retailers suddenly remember that winter only started a few days earlier—and they panic. Coats, sweaters, boots, and cold-weather accessories drop in price fast as stores prepare for spring fashion lines. Major chains like Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Nordstrom typically cut prices anywhere from 30–70%, especially on items that didn’t sell during pre-holiday promotions.
This is when shoppers can score high-quality pieces without paying full-season prices, which is a win for anyone tired of pretending last year’s jacket still zips comfortably. Another perk is the variety. Sizes and styles are usually still in decent supply compared to late-winter clearance, so you aren’t stuck choosing between a neon green parka or a scarf that looks like it survived a washing machine accident.
Electronics
Electronics go on sale after Christmas for the same reason chocolate does—stores expect demand to drop once the holiday rush ends. Retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart slash prices on TVs, tablets, headphones, gaming accessories, and smart home devices to clear out excess inventory. Many of these deals rival Black Friday, but with less chaos and fewer carts being steered like bumper cars.
The sweet spot is usually the week between Christmas and New Year’s, when returns and exchanges add even more open-box and clearance items to the shelves. If you didn’t get the gadget you were hoping for or you’re replacing one that didn’t survive holiday travel, this is the perfect time to buy. The best part? You can enjoy your new tech without having to pretend it’s a surprise.
Fitness Equipment
Every retailer knows that New Year’s resolutions are coming, so they use the days after Christmas to spark early motivation. Fitness equipment—from treadmills and dumbbells to yoga mats and adjustable weights—often gets marked down by 20–50%. Sporting goods stores and big-box retailers want to get ahead of the January rush, which means shoppers can pick up solid gym gear before prices creep back up.
The timing works out well for anyone gearing up to move a little more after a season filled with cookies and casseroles. Whether you’re building a home gym or just adding a few pieces to make workouts easier, after-Christmas sales offer a chance to invest in health without overspending. And since the equipment arrives right before resolution season, there’s a slightly better chance it won’t turn into an expensive clothes rack by February.
Beauty Gift Sets
If you’ve ever wandered past those shiny holiday beauty gift sets thinking, “I’ll wait and see,” this is your moment. Stores mark them down heavily after Christmas—often by 40–60%—because the packaging is seasonal and can’t be sold later. The products inside, however, are the same high-quality items you’d buy individually at full price any other time of year.
This is a great opportunity to stock up on skincare favorites, try new brands, or grab a luxury item that felt too pricey in December. Many people also buy these sets and break them apart to use as future gifts, which is surprisingly efficient and wallet-friendly.
Bedding & Linens
January “white sales” officially start after New Year’s, but the markdowns quietly begin right after Christmas. Retailers discount sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, and comforters anywhere from 30–70% to make room for new inventory. If you’ve been holding onto a set of sheets that’s one wash away from becoming a historical artifact, this is your chance to upgrade.
The benefit of shopping now is that stores still have good color and size options before the crowds catch on. High-thread-count sheets, plush blankets, and hotel-quality towels become surprisingly affordable, especially at department stores. It’s one of the easiest ways to refresh your home for the new year without remodeling or rearranging furniture in a burst of holiday-fueled ambition.
Toys
After Christmas, toy aisles suddenly go from chaotic to deeply discounted. Retailers slash prices by 30–70% to clear out seasonal inventory and prepare for new releases in the spring. This is especially helpful for parents who want to replenish playrooms or stock up for birthdays without paying peak holiday prices. It’s also a chance to grab big-ticket toys that weren’t practical to buy before December 25.
Plus, kids don’t care about the calendar. A new puzzle or action figure is just as exciting on December 28 as it was on Christmas morning. Many families take advantage of these deals to quietly build their gift stash for the entire year. And since stores restock returns and overstock items, the variety is often better than you’d expect during a clearance event.
Kitchen Appliances
Small kitchen appliances tend to drop in price right after Christmas because retailers overestimate how many blenders, air fryers, and stand mixers shoppers will buy as gifts. Once the holiday dust settles, stores reduce prices to clear shelf space. Discounts of 20–50% are common at places like Target, Kohl’s, and Amazon.
For anyone looking to upgrade a kitchen gadget or replace an appliance that’s on its last legs, this is one of the best times to buy. It’s also a great opportunity to grab specialty items—like waffle makers or food processors—that you wanted all year but couldn’t justify at full price. These post-holiday sales make it easier to improve your cooking setup without feeling guilty about treating yourself.
Organization Storage
After Christmas, people collectively realize they have more stuff than storage. Retailers know this, so they discount organization products like bins, shelving units, closet systems, and drawer organizers. Stores such as IKEA, Target, and The Container Store typically run strong sales between December 26 and mid-January.
This is prime time for anyone ready to tame a chaotic closet or reorganize the garage. Buying storage solutions now helps you get ahead of spring cleaning and gives your home a much-needed reset after the holiday clutter. Whether you're tackling one drawer or the entire house, after-Christmas sales make it easier—and cheaper—to get everything in order.
