December shopping is a two-act play. Act one is the holiday gifting rush, high demand, limited stock, and prices that are competitive but rarely rock-bottom. Act two begins on December 26th: the best clearance sales of the year, when retailers slash prices on everything holiday-related and winter merchandise to close out the season. Understanding both acts makes December a month full of strategic opportunity.
What Goes on Sale in December
Holiday Gifts and Toys (Early December)
Early December is your last call for Black Friday and Cyber Monday holdover deals, and many retailers continue holiday pricing through December 15th. The weeks of December 1–15 are actually strong for gift purchases, many items that sold out during Black Friday are restocked, and prices remain competitive. Don’t assume you missed all the deals when November ends.
Electronics and Gaming (Mid-December)
Gift-driven demand for gaming consoles, headphones, smart devices, and electronics continues through mid-December. Some items see price increases from Black Friday as demand tightens near the holiday, but others remain at promotional pricing. Use price-tracking tools to monitor specific items and buy when prices dip.
Holiday Decor and Trees, After December 25th
The day after Christmas, holiday merchandise goes on clearance at 50–90% off. Artificial Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, garland, stockings, and all holiday decor reach their annual lowest prices. If you decorate every year, buying in late December saves an enormous amount compared to buying the same items in October or November.
Winter Clothing, Beginning of Clearance
Post-Christmas sales in late December mark the beginning of winter clothing clearance. Coats, boots, and cold-weather accessories start to see 30–50% off at major retailers, prices that will deepen further in January and February. If you see specific items you want in your size, late December is a good time to buy rather than risk missing your size in the January rush.
Gift Cards (Pre-Holiday)
Gift cards are easy gifts and December is full of gift card promotions, buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus card, earn extra loyalty points, or receive a discount when buying in bulk. These deals make gift cards the highest-value December purchase for many shoppers.
Toys and Children’s Items, After Christmas
Toys that didn’t sell through the holiday season go on clearance starting December 26th. You’ll find 40–70% off toys, games, and children’s items. This is a great time to restock birthday gifts for the year ahead, or to pick up toys your kids wanted but didn’t receive as gifts.
Champagne and Party Supplies (New Year’s Eve)
In the final days of December, party supply retailers and grocery stores run promotions on champagne, sparkling cider, party supplies, and New Year’s Eve entertaining items. After January 1st, these items go on clearance, party supplies, streamers, and noisemakers at 50–75% off for next year.
December Shopping Tips
- Track prices on gifts in real-time: December prices fluctuate more than any other month. Use price trackers and check prices across multiple retailers, what’s $60 one day may be $45 three days later.
- Set a December 26th alarm: Seriously, some of the year’s best deals on holiday decor, toys, and winter items start the morning of December 26th. Early birds get the best selection at clearance pricing.
- Buy wrapping supplies after Christmas: Gift bags, boxes, ribbons, and wrapping paper go 50–75% off after Christmas. Stock up for all year: you’ll use them for birthdays, baby showers, and other occasions.
- Buy gifts for next year in December clearance: Candles, gift sets, decor items, and toys at 50–75% off in late December are perfect for gifting at birthdays and events throughout the coming year. Save significant money by shopping ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About December Sales
December’s best strategic purchases are holiday decor and artificial Christmas trees on December 26th (50–90% off), toys and games in post-Christmas clearance (40–70% off), gift cards with bonus promotions, and winter clothing at the start of clearance pricing. Early December also offers competitive prices on electronics and gifts before stock runs out.
Most holiday clearance begins December 26th, the day after Christmas. Prices typically start at 50% off and deepen to 70–90% over the following days and weeks. The best selection is available in the first two days, so December 26th and 27th are peak shopping days for holiday clearance. By early January, most stores have cleared out holiday inventory entirely.
Buying an artificial Christmas tree in late December or early January is one of the smartest annual purchases a family can make. Trees that sell for $100–300 in November can drop to $25–75 after Christmas. The trees are identical: you’re just buying for next year. The only downside is storage, but a properly stored tree lasts 10+ years, making the clearance price a smart long-term investment.
December gift card promotions vary by retailer and year but commonly include: bonus gift cards (spend $100, get a $15 bonus), extra loyalty points or rewards, discounted gift card packs at warehouse clubs (buy $100 face value for $90), and gift-with-purchase offers when buying gift cards. Major retailers, Starbucks, Amazon, Target, and restaurants, frequently run these promotions through mid-December.
The best post-Christmas purchases are: artificial Christmas trees and holiday decor (50–90% off), gift wrapping supplies (50–75% off), winter clothing beginning its clearance cycle, toys and games (40–70% off), holiday-themed food and baking items, and candles and home fragrance gift sets. The window is narrow, most of the best items are gone within a week of December 26th.
Yes, December 1–15 often has competitive deals on many items as retailers continue holiday promotions from November. Electronics, toys, clothing, and home goods can all be bought at near-Black-Friday prices in early December. After December 15th, prices on popular gifts tend to rise as stock becomes scarce. Shopping in the first two weeks of December is the smart middle-ground between the Black Friday rush and last-minute premium pricing.
For the full year-round view of when prices drop on everything, bookmark our complete monthly shopping calendar.
great list thsnks
Looking for good tablet deals
What a helpful list! I’ve been seeing TV prices going down down …now I need a great price on a Kindle Fire …I missed the one for 129 on Cyber Monday!
December is really the biggest SALE event every year!
Actually a real bargain lies around your house waiting for you to pick up and give to those less fortunate. Lets make the best out of things that we have by sharing it to others.
thanks now i know what to buy on dec
I love seeing these lists. It makes everything more handy when I go shopping with a list. Especially on a small budget.
You can get the best of everything. Somobe always has a sales especially something I need
You can score a lot of great deals during this month.
I did not know that Jewelry is a great buy in December. I think maybe because Christmas time loved ones buy each other jewelry. I know that I always love getting jewelry for Christmas!
I never thought about the fruits…thanks for this!
Helpful idea! Thanks!
This is a great list, I will use it thanks
Thanks for sharing! I didn’t know that jewelry is cheaper this time of the year
Thanks for this info now i know i can plan for next year.
thank you for this i know what is a good deal and what to look for
Great List of Items! Thank you for the tips!
Great holiday shopping gift ideas
Great list. In the grocery store, it always seems like the baking items are on sale now. It’s a good time to stock up on those for the winter months ahead. January and February need cookies, too.
I’ve been on the lookout for a tv, great ideas!
I missed my chance at a Black Friday television…glad to know I’ll get another chance soon!
Great ideas. I think it’s very smart to buy holiday items the day after for the following year, talk about saving lots of money!!
thank you for this post!!
im looking for great tablets and laptop deals
This is GREAT advice! Thank you for listing it! I just may be in for a new bike!
nice tips. thanks for sharing.
What a great post! I am just discovering your site and really like this series of monthly posts. Thanks for compiling! 🙂
OH, How CONVENIENT that Jewelry is a good deal in DECEMBER! ;););0
Been leaving hints! After 6 kids I am finally thinking I deserve a little bit of sparkle maybe!
Great post. I will be looking each month is you do this. We miss all the sales and then usually go without.
Great list to go with.
I’m terrible at planning ahead. Thanks for the reminder. I always remember about the after Christmas sales BEFORE Christmas next year!
Great list. Like others have said, this is the first I’ve seen of this on your site but I’ll be looking each month. Thank you.
I love reading about where to find the best deals. Thanks so much.
I love getting holiday deals the day after. Better than black friday deals on some items
I love getting a great deal and more so at the holiday’s , money is really tight this year so thanks for all your info 😉
Thanks for the list
thanks for the information, helps to pick up extra thats on sale to put back for birthdays too..
It’s great to have a reminder list of bargains to look for. Thank you!
Thanks for letting me know. This was very helpful
I live in a tourist town. We have a boardwalk and amusement piers. Our piers have season passes that if bought in December you ccan get the greatest discount, $260.00 where regular price is $450.00. After Christmas that price will go up but still not to full price it will most likely go to $350.00 through to Easter Sunday. Easter Monday the passes will be full price. So all the locals children know that under the tree there will be their season pass. 🙂
This is a great list! I think I will be doing a little extra shopping this month. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you for all the ideas–maybe there is hope for me yet
Thanks for the list. I didn’t know that fruit woulb be a deal in December
I’d love a yearly list of what to buy and when.
I have seen a ton of unbelievable sales on amazon! I think, while they’re on sale for December, we will buy our kids all the LOTR dvd’s.
Thanks for these lists! I have learned some that I did not know before! It really pays to watch and keep track of what’s on sale when! That way I can plan ahead for my purchases! Great info!
Thanks for this list, we are waiting to buy a new car til february hopefully, keep your fingers crossed for us
Smart idea on the bikes. I already bought one in the summer but should have waited.
Thanks for the ideas!
Went and got me a new laptop
ty for your ideas
Thank you for all the helpful tips!!!
I didnt know about the citrus fruits being in season during this time.
I find a lot of these items to buy in December interesting. I heard from a number of people that waiting to buy a TV in January that you will find a better deal. I sure have seen a lot of TV’s this month on sale for very little money!
Love to shop after Christmas for my B-day, Dec. 30! Thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to buy clearance Christmas ball ornaments to make wreaths to give away for next year! I am already stalking the stores.
What a great site! Thanks for sharing!
I will definitely be getting a bike when it goes on sale. It seems like I can never keep one running year after year b/c the kids ride them like crazy during the summer.
Thank you for the info!
I had no idea about the citrus fruits! It *is* my favorite time to eat oranges, though. 🙂
This is a great list of things. I know usually after Christmas some things are cheaper to buy . I didnt think about citrus fruits being cheaper now. Thats good to know because I love fruit.
Good to keep this handy when needing to buy something. Sure helps alot. Thanks
Thanks for this list! I need a new tv!
I knew some of these but groceries surprised me. I suppose with all of the holiday dinners in Dec it makes sense.
awesome information, thanks for sharing!
I was going to buy my kid a bike for christmas, but a relative beat me to it – either way, he won’t be riding it in the 13-degree weather here in Illinois but he’ll have it for spring!
Just today I got 2 boxes of Hallmark brand greeting cards for 75% off (paid $7 instead of $28) and I was super thrilled about that. Also I bought 2 bars of Ghirardelli peppermint bark for less than $3 and an assortment of Christmas cookies. They taste just as good as any other cookies and we like red and green sprinkles anyway! Also bought some red and green colored tortilla chips – we eat lots of those with taco salads and rice/bean dishes and so $1.25 instead of $2.50 is always a good idea.
Our family doesn’t do anything special for Thanksgiving, nor do we do jewelry or tv-related purchases so those things don’t benefit us. But we do eat lots of nuts and I tend to buy oranges when they’re on sale to make juice, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for deals on those.