Personalized stockings from Ballard Designs were an after holiday purchase in 2010. They were practically giving them away.If you want to spend a ton of money on Christmas decorations hit the malls in October or early November when nothing is on sale, but if saving money is your goal, shop year round for items to add to your collection of holiday decor.
You do not, I repeat, do not need to get up at 4:00 AM the day after Christmas to find holiday decorations on clearance. I like to wait several weeks to hunt for bargains. I found dozens of ornaments at Michael's last year for 90% off by following this strategy.
Bargain ornaments were used to fill apothecary jars and glass bowls that I placed throughout the house.
Consignment shops and thrift stores are exceptionally good spots for picking up bargains on Christmas decorations year round. Plenty of donations are made to thrift stores immediately following the holidays when people are packing up their decorations. But don't forget, lots of us do a major purge as part of our spring cleaning or to get ready for a summer garage sale.
Over the summer I spotted the brass vases seen on the top shelf for $6 at a consignment store. I specifically bought them to pull out for the holidays.
If vintage holiday decor is your style be sure to hit your favorite antique malls shortly following the holidays. You're likely to see plenty of charming vintage ornaments and baubles to use for years to come.
Country LivingLast year I picked up my new favorite decoration, a silver nutcracker, at my favorite antique mall. The price? $3. I love that little guy!
Discount stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Stein Mart, Home Goods and Tuesday Morning carry blingy accessories year round. It might not be what you want for every day, but a bit of shine and sparkle is a necessity for the holidays, right? Mercury glass, a must have for the holidays, is one of the easiest things to pick up at discounted prices at these type of stores.
TJ Maxx always has a selection of mercury glass pieces beginning in early fall. I found a set of chunky candlesticks for $14.99. (I'll be using these all year long!)
A final note, save yourself time and gas by shopping for after holiday bargains online. That gorgeous tree skirt or tinsel tree you were coveting in December might be on sale in January.
Do you have a story about a favorite holiday decoration score? I'd love to hear about it.
Great tips! Every year I head to my favourite little boutiques that sell the individual special ornaments and pick up a handful of new ones to hang next Christmas and often for about 75% off. I've gathered so many now and they really look so special and expenisve at a fraction of the cost. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, I think this year I'll be doing some online shopping...........nothing better then bargain hunting in your p.j's.
ReplyDeleteWonderful information, Karen. I've come across several blogs in the past few weeks that have found some gorgeous vintage ornaments at thrift stores.
ReplyDeleteFantastic tips, Karen! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI bought four cream silk stockings (originally $50 each!) after Christmas last year for 75% off...They remind me of yours...so pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteLove all these tips and I always shop for Christmas decorations after the holidays. Then it's a little surprise when you open up the Christmas boxes the following year. I also pick up one Christmas ornament from each trip we take during the year as a souvenir. It's a wonderful way to remember the trips from previous years and share the memories of it at Christmas time. I also like that this kind of souvenir doesn't become another knick knack to dust all year around.
ReplyDeletegreat tips, karen. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI always say I'm going to go out and pick up some bargain holiday decor after Christmas, but somehow it always falls by the wayside. . . I've already noticed the prices dropping at Joanns and Michaels though, which is nice for those of us who can't help but keep adding to our holiday decor up until the day of Christmas, lol!
ReplyDeleteYes! Great strategies, indeed! I love the spool tree to display the ornaments, too!
ReplyDeleteLove that nutcracker! I've vowed to never pay full price for holiday decor, and have had great luck at places like Michael's and JoAnn's the week leading up to Christmas. Helps with my last-minute decorating, and then it's all ready for next year!
ReplyDeleteI know you're completely right but my problem is usually that I'm holidayed out after the holidays. This year I'll be smarter!! BTW, don't put your brass vases away after Christmas. They look great. The whole room looks amazing Karen
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe someone let that wonderful nutcracker get away for $3.00 !!! I found a pair of mercury glass vases at an "antique" shop for $30.00 and thought I had made a great Deal, but your find is amazing!
ReplyDelete~ love your simple style ~
:)
Valerie
I love this post because this is exactly how I shop for holiday decor! Love the little nutcracker.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a haul of some gorgeous things and such bargains too, you definitely know what you are doing. :)))
ReplyDeleteWow what great tips! I love those stockings. They are just so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, Karen!
ReplyDeleteWe're officially post Christmas, so I'm reading this post a just the right time to take your advice :)