Making Good Use of Post Holiday Sales

Most of the stuff that goes on sale post holidays is of the decor/candy variety, and since I'm up to my eyeballs in decor and don't need to eat anymore candy, I'm not so interested in those things.  But you can also find a lot of everyday items that have been marked down simply because they're red and green and/or culturally regarded as a seasonal item.  I used some cash/gift cards I got this year and combine them with sales to get gifts for other people.  Two kids got gifts that are semi-Christmas related, but I think they'll enjoy them beyond that (a light up "naughty or nice" journal and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" book).  I snagged a box of Dark Chocolate Russel Stovers for my dad, since he's a dark chocolate lover, 6'+ and in no danger of getting fat (They should keep til his February birthday).  I got a good deal on some T-shirts at Walmart with will be given as gifts in mid-summer.

I spotted napkins/paper towels/paper plate/cups.  Found boxes of butter cookies for 25 cents, which I thought would be a good free snack to offer at the book talks I have lined up next month.  I spotted large Turkey roating pans on markdown, which I didn't have a place for, but could certainly see the usefulness of.  There were also some ceramic cake pans/servings bowls, that were solid red, green, or white...and not necessarily "Christmas" only ware.

The point is, even if your sick of Christmas and don't want any candy, it may still be worth a stroll through the holiday mark downs.  Resist the impulse grab, but a can of nuts still has the nutritional value of a can of nuts, even if that can is red and green.  Paper towels will clean just as well with ginger bread men printed on them.

Most stores have to do inventory in January so they'll mark down everyday things just to simplify the count.  It is a good time of year to spot practical items at better prices.  Just remember: if you don't need it, it's a not a good buy, no matter how low the price.