Once Dec. 25 comes and goes, retailers drop after-Christmas clearance sales as a last attempt to get everything merry and bright off the shelves that shoppers didn't buy during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Stores need to make room for Valentine’s Day merch and they’re antsy to clear the way.
Truly, the sales after Christmas are extra special because we’re dealing with more than just short-term markdowns. We’re talking after-Christmas clearance. That means stores want to get rid of EVERYTHING, and they’ll do whatever it takes (like mark items down by 50% – 90% off) to clear their shelves. That’s why some things, like winter apparel and Christmas decor, are worth waiting until after Christmas to buy.
Here’s a hot tip for 2024 (and early 2025): If you're after something specific, it may be smarter to shop when sales hit 50%-75% off, regardless of how many days before or after Christmas the sale is.
If you’re just looking to grab amazingly low prices, wait until January to save the most. But, as prices continue to drop, inventory starts to drop, too. You’re getting the best deal when something’s about 90% off, but you’ll also need to be flexible knowing you may not get everything you’d hoped for at such a deep discount.
Be sure to check out our pages for Walmart deals and Target deals right before and after Christmas to see the best deals our team is sourcing in real time. And, for good measure, check out Amazon deals, because Amazon is known for copy-catting other retailers' prices during their big sales.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, text HACKS to 57299, and be sure to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app.
1. Walmart Christmas Clearance Schedule
We usually see the Walmart Christmas clearance schedule begin promptly on Dec. 26 with up to 50% off. With Walmart’s already low prices, we suggest you jump on any must-have deals when they’re at the 50% off mark because these deals go fast. If you wait until it’s 90% off, there’s not going to be very much left. By mid-January, most items are gone. So if you see a deal for 50% – 75% off that you’d be sad to miss, just pick it up then and there. Don’t wait for the deeper discount.
Your best bets to shop in the Walmart after-Christmas sales are going to be kids’ holiday books, artificial trees, and Christmas decor. In last year’s sale, we saw decor as low as $0.81.
Predicted Walmart After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 26: 50% off
Jan. 2: 70% off
2. Target Christmas Clearance Schedule
If you want to score deals on Magnolia Christmas items, you’re going to have to pounce when deals are 30% (or even full price). But, for some of the more affordable Christmas decor and supplies, you can hold out until Target slashes 50%-70% off the original price. If you're not picky, wait until January for up to 90% off. These clearance deals are typically in-store-only and inventory will vary by location. However, you can check what’s in stock at your local Target with the Brickseek Inventory Tracker before you head to the store.
The best things to stock up on in the Target after Christmas clearance sale are wrapping paper, holiday food, candy, snacks, Dollar Spot finds, and what’s left of the seasonal decor.
We advise that you wait until a couple days after Christmas to shop for toy deals at Target. You'll see toys for 70% off during the Target Semi-Annual Toy Clearance which we predict will happen on Dec. 27, 2024. Whatever's left will fall to up to 90% off in early January.
Predicted Target After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 26: 50% off
Dec. 27-29: 70% off
Jan. 4: 90% off
3. Hobby Lobby Christmas Clearance Schedule
Hobby Lobby marks down Christmas decor from September to January each year. The Christmas discounts start at 50% on Sept. 1 and will hit at least 60% by Dec. 25. In 2024, we're already seeing the initial September discounts, with 50% off garlands, stockings, wreaths, and lights.
The first week of January is actually the best time to buy Christmas items from Hobby Lobby. All the leftover decor, tableware, trees, florals, crafts, lights, and more goes for up to 90% off starting Jan. 1. The best things to shop in this clearance sale are ornaments, garland, bows and ribbon, and holiday floral.
Learn more about Hobby Lobby's year-round sale schedule.
Predicted Hobby Lobby After Christmas Clearance Dates
Sept. 1: 50% off (early clearance)
Dec. 25: 60% off
Jan. 1: 90% off
4. Walgreens Christmas Clearance Schedule
Walgreens clearance is predicted to hit right after Christmas. We’ll likely see deals hit 50% off on Dec. 26. After that, you can expect 70% off on or around Jan. 5, 2025. Then, score up to 90% off by Jan. 11. We’ve noticed that clearance dates and discount amounts vary, so your local store might not be on this exact schedule, but we think you can expect the same discounts at most stores the same weeks in late December and into early January.
You’ll find excellent deals on wrapping paper, bows, and Christmas candy. Also, keep an eye out for small decor items and string lights.
Predicted Walgreens After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 26: 50% off
Jan. 5: 70% off
Jan. 11: 90% off
5. Lowe’s
Lowe’s came out guns blazing last year with 50% off Dec. 11 and a whopping 75% off on Dec. 18. We expect a similar rollout this year, with 90% off by Christmas Eve through January (but expect selection to run low).
Lowe’s After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 11: 50% off
Dec. 18: 75% off
Dec. 24 into January: 90% off
6. Michaels Christmas Clearance Schedule
The Michaels Christmas tree clearance hit the stores and website early in December last year, starting at 60% off Ashland Christmas items. We see a similar early sale every year, and it leads into the Michaels after-Christmas clearance schedule. Right after Christmas, we expect to see prices up to 80% off with 90% off deals hitting as late as February on whatever's left.
Predicted Michaels After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 11: 60% off
Dec. 26: 80% off
Feb. 24: 90% off
7. Home Depot Christmas Clearance Schedule
Much like Target and Walmart, Home Depot clearance usually begins right after Christmas (up to 50% off last year). You’ll see discounts of around 75% off around the new year on a wide variety of items, but the Home Depot Christmas tree clearance deals are truly where it’s at.
On Dec. 30, Home Depot traditionally starts their Christmas tree clearance where you can shop online at HomeDepot.com to find deals marked down by hundreds of dollars. We know Christmas trees might be the last thing on your mind after Christmas, but this sale is worth planning ahead for.
Here are some examples of what you can likely expect in late-December 2024 and early-January 2025, based on what we've seen in recent years.
7.5-foot Lachlan Balsam Fir Slim Pre-Lit Color Changing Tree: $124.75 (reg. $499) — 75% off
9-foot Chelsey Balsam Fir Pre-Lit Tree: $224.75 (reg. $899) — 75% off
7.5-Foot Alta Flocked Pre-Lit Christmas Tree: $99.50 (reg. $199) — 50% off
Predicted Home Depot After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 26: 50% off
Dec. 30 – into January: Up to 75% off
8. Kohl’s After-Christmas Sale Schedule
Kohl’s starts discounting winter apparel right after Christmas to make room for spring merchandise. You’ll find deep discounts on winter apparel with sales running through January. While we love the apparel deals, at Kohl’s after-Christmas sale, you’ll get oh-so-much more.
You’ll find “Christmas” clearance in every section, allowing you to save money on everything from vacuum cleaners to air fryers. These deals can sometimes rival those you’d see during Kohl’s Black Friday sale, and they’re made even better by overlapping Kohl’s Cash promotions.
Check out our predicted schedule below. And here’s some advice. If you see an item you want on Dec. 26, it’s not worth waiting until mid-January for the bigger discount. So few items make it to that 80% off point that you’re sure to miss out on some great deals by waiting.
Some of the best deals from Kohl’s after-Christmas sales you can expect:
Predicted Kohl’s After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 26: 30% – 70% off, plus earn Kohl’s Cash
Jan. 14: 80% off (limited selection)
9. CVS Christmas Clearance Sale Schedule
We’ve seen CVS offer 50% off Christmas candy, decor, and more right after Christmas. You’ll spot CVS deals on chocolates, gift bags, lights, cards, and more as early as Dec. 26. Last year, most CVS stores were pretty well stocked with after-Christmas items, but you can download the CVS app (iOS / Android) and sign up for an ExtraCare account to scan CVS weekly ad deals from your phone.
The discounts get even deeper in January. We predict 75% off clearance on Christmas decor and candy to begin on Jan. 10, followed by 90% off by Jan 19, 2024.
Predicted CVS After Christmas Clearance Dates
Dec. 26: 50% off
Jan. 10: 75% off
Jan 19: 90% off
Other ways to save in after Christmas sales.
Sell your unwanted gift cards (and buy others at a discount) after Christmas.
You can sell gift cards you don’t want on Raise.com, then turn around and get a discount when you buy the gift cards you DO want.
The days after Christmas are a great time to not only sell your unwanted gift cards but find ones for stores you’ll want to shop at next year. You can expect to save between 5% and 15% on gift cards to various stores and restaurants this way.
Keep saving with these other after-Christmas sales and winter clearance events.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Winter Coat Clearance
Traditionally you’ll find winter boots clearance plus up to 75% off outerwear, snow pants, ski gear, and more. Dick’s Sporting Goods usually runs this weekend winter sale in January.
Nordstrom Rack’s “Clear The Rack” Event
Save 50% – 75% on top clothing brands with Nordstrom Rack’s “Clear The Rack” sale. This event happens about once every two months, so look for winter clothes clearance during the February sale.
REI Winter Clearance Event
The best time to find discounts at REI is January and February, when you can shop REI’s Winter Clearance Sale for up to 50% off. We’ve snagged The North Face women’s outwear for half off their original prices!
Kohl’s Winter Boot Clearance
In January and February, Kohl’s offers a winter boot clearance with sale prices that reach 40% off — plus a promo code to get you an additional 20% off your purchase.
The Children’s Place Clearance
The Children’s Place typically runs a clearance event in February. Shop it when you see 75% off the entire site. Since inventories grow scarcer the longer you wait, plan to hop on these deals right when the sale goes live.
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