Holidays cost money. I know it and you know it. Big holidays, like Christmas and Easter, can cost big money when you add up the prices of food, decorations, and gifts.
In the B household, we plan for these costs by designating a budget for each holiday. But I’m a thrifty gal. I like to stretch my dollar as far as it will go. So even though I have a budget, I look for ways to cut costs on holiday spending.
One of those ways is to buy seasonal merchandise on the off season. And lemme tell you, holiday clearance is about so much more than wrapping paper.
Hear me out: y’all know I love a good holiday clearance sale. But at this point, seasonal clearance is pretty much built into the big stores’ sale schedules. Target even advertised it this year! They called it “Winter Clearance Dash” and those commercials were everywhere. Which is the point. It makes a lot more sense to have more customers buying at 50%, if you’re Target. You get a higher percentage of the original cost, so you lose less money, and the stock is cleared out quicker, less employee hours spent marking down and restocking, etc etc. But for the consumer, holiday clearance isn’t what it once was. The prices may be lower than peak season, but finding stock that is truly priced to move is getting harder and harder at big retailers.
Now, it doesn’t mean you can’t! I got some great deals this Christmas, but it’s very unpredictable. Valentine’s clearance was a real bust for me, which was sad because I love a good heart shaped chocolate. So to fill in the gaps of my post holiday shopping, I keep an eye on smaller specialty stores for their seasonal clearance. These smaller stores are on a lower pressure merchandise turnover, so they move a different pace when it comes to markdowns and clearance.
And my favorite of the small speciality stores, my favorite off season clearance, is without a doubt Hallmark.
It is nearing the end of February and my Hallmark just went to 90% off. The post holiday clearance rush is over, most people are putting sugar plums and gingerbread from their heads completely and looking to the future of pastel eggs and hopping bunnies. Which lead to a VERY well stocked 90% off. There were decorations, there were clothes, there was wrapping paper, there were candles and novelty gifts, bows and cards, and ornaments as far as the eye could see.
A word about ornaments: no one cares if they have last year’s date on the box. There were two gals talking near me as I stalked the clearance and their conversation went like this.
HORTENSE: Well, these are sweet. Maybe I’ll pick it up for the new baby.
GERTRUDE: No! You cannot!
HORTENSE: But why not?
GERTRUDE: There’s a date on them! They’re marked 2019. Your daughter will know you got it on (whispers) clearance.
HORTENSE: Oh, you’re so right.
No, Hortense! Gertrude was not right! If the ornament is cute and reminds them of a special moment from the last year, if when they look at the tree they’re reminded of a lovely memory, then who cares if the box says 2019? We love to give ornaments as gifts to teachers, neighbors, and family. And at 90%, they’re a great gift: good quality and a better price!
This year, I got 15 ornaments at 90% off.
Breaking it down:
- Clever Sisters Ornament (1)-$1.59. Originally $15.99.
- Making Spirits Bright Ornament (1)-$1.59. Originally $15.99.
- Duck & Bunny Ornament (2) -$3.58. Originally $35.98.
- A+ Teacher (6)-$7.80. Originally $78.
- Unitkitty Lego Ornament (5)-$8.45. Originally $84.95.
Total Spent: $23.01
Original Retail: $230.91
Total Saved: $207.90
By waiting just a little longer, by checking my local store intermittently, I was able to save over $200 on seasonal merchandise. And don’t feel like you need to stop at ornaments. You can grab things you’ll use holiday after holiday, like wreaths or stockings, which saves you money in the long run.
What speciality stores do you love for off season holiday clearance? Is your Hallmark at 90%? Show me your finds in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!
Nancy says
For those of you who do fundraising for groups, the wrapping paper, bows, tissue, ribbons and gift bags make up a great basket…..we call ours the “Wrap it Up” basket. Everyone can always use some new wrapping items.
Kristen says
That’s a great gift idea, Nancy!
Dara says
I actually made out like a bandit at my southern California Target stores. Got $150’s worth of stuff for just $15! It took some digging, though — none of it was marked, so I just wandered the aisles looking for things that might qualify as Valentine’s stuff and scanned it. Lots of Scunci girls’ hair products, toddler clothes, candles, tissue paper, gift bags…and none of it had the word Valentine’s Day on the item. Just lots of hearts, which I figure are nice all year round!
Kristen says
Yes, Dara! Hearts never go out of style. Great job!!
Sarah says
I love this tip! I bought ornaments like this for my kids many times of a favorite character or moment in time.
Note: Some of the ornaments are dated on the actual ornament. Most are not, but some of the wedding and baby ones are…so watch for those!
Kristen says
Ohhhh, Sarah, great note about making sure the date is on the box only! Love it.