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Holiday clearance has a schedule - your wallet should too

• Try to shop in waves: Dec. 2628 for best selection, early January for the deep clearance bargains

• Chase clearance first: Holiday-only stuff drops in price the fastest; winter sale promos can be fake discounts

• Dodge deal traps: Final-sale/no returns, inflated original prices online, and buying junk you wouldnt pay full price for

Heading out shopping the day after Christmas is akin to a neighborhood yard sale. Stores want their holiday inventory gone yesterday, shoppers want those huge deals, and the best markdowns sellout quickly. Plus, like any good yard sale, you better get there early.

The trick for consumers is knowing what items actually gets cheaper right after Christmas and timing your trip so youll find the best prices. Its also important to know how to avoid those looks-like-a-deal traps that grow sneakier every year.

But if you shop it right, after-Christmas sales can help you save on gifts you need to buy in 2026 and even save you some serious money on big-ticket items.

The two types of after-Christmas deals

Most deals fall into one of these two buckets:

1. Clearance markdowns.

Many stores need to get rid of holiday inventory desperately so youll see great clearance sales pop-up immediately on Dec. 26th.

Expect to find big savings on holiday dcor, lighting, wrapping supplies, gift sets, seasonal pajamas, and basically anything with a Christmas tree on it.

Stores famous for this: Home Depot, Kohl's, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart.

2. Promo sales (stores running a sale event).

Promo sales have the big alluring headlines like Big Winter Sale or End of Year Closeout. Theyre made to grab your attention, but in reality, theyre often a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Sure, sometimes its actually a genuinely great sale (especially for home goods, fitness gear, and appliances), but often its nothing more than a re-labeled discount that you couldve gotten two weeks earlier.

Stores famous for this:Best Buy, Dick's, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Wayfair.

The best strategy is to shop the clearance markdowns first as they always provide the most overall savings. Then hit the promo sales looking for deals with some healthy skepticism in your wallet.

The timing tricks that separate the best deals

Timing trick #1: Shop in waves, not all at once

Think of it this way, if you only go once on Dec. 26, youre getting a good selection of deals before things get picked over by bargain hunters.

But if you also go later, like in early January, youll find the absolute best prices of the season as stores aggressively start slashing prices.

Heres the pattern you want to pay attention to:

• Dec. 2628: This is when youll find the best selection along with some decent markdowns (think 25%50% off).
• Dec. 29Jan. 1: This is when the more aggressive clearance starts to happen (often 50%70%), but keep in mind that popular stuff will disappear quickly.
• First full week of January: Think of this week where many stores start to mark things down by as much as 70%90%.
• Mid-January: This is when retailers start to consolidate their clearance items into a small section of the store. Whats left is often sold at an amazing price that makes it basically free.

Timing trick #2: The best markdowns show up early in the day

Clearance shelves get picked over fast, and many stores restock or re-flow clearance sections overnight or early morning. If you can, hit stores right at opening for the best shot at the good leftovers.

Timing trick #3: Dont sleep on online clearance, but be sure to filter

Online clearance can be incredible because you can sort through the stuff quickly using search filters.

Butit can also be a mess because youll see:

• odd sizes
• third-party sellers
• final sale items
• inflated original prices

Be sure to use search filters the smart way:

• Sold by: the retailer (not a marketplace seller)
• Returnable items only
• Pickup options (sometimes youll find inventory your local store still has tucked away)

How to avoid the after-Christmas deal traps

Trap #1: Final sale items with no returns

Be aware that some holiday clearance items come with strict return rules as stores dont want to see the stuff again. So, before you buy:

• Check the return windows
• Check whether clearance is final sale
• Save your receipt (or screenshot your order confirmation) just in case

Trap #2: Inflated original prices online

If the deal feels too good to be true, be sure to compare the following:

• Throw the name of the item into Google and see what other stores are selling it for.
• Look at the items price history by using a price tracking tool like Rufus, CamelCamelCamel, or Keepa.
• Watch for compare at pricing games that make you think youre getting a good deal even if youre not.

Trap #3: Buying stuff you wouldnt buy at full price

A deal isnt a deal if it turns into clutter in your home.

Think of the best after-Christmas buys as future purchases youre buying ahead of time to make your life a little easier and less expensive. Try to avoid buying stuff just because of a random discount on something you dont really need.

Pro tip: Some of the best things you can buy right after Christmas (for the following year) include gifts for teachers, coaches, friends, and even co-workers. Buy them on sale and store them for when you need them.

Also, don't forget aboutevents like weddings or parties you might be attending in 2026. Buy thegift now and avoid paying full-price for it right before the actual event.

Stores with the best after-Christmas sales

These retailers consistently deliver some of the strongest post-Christmas markdowns.

Amazon

Best for: Electronics, small appliances, home goods, fitness gear

Typical savings: 30%70% off select items

Amazon runs rolling post-holiday promos rather than one big clearance event.

Youll often see strong deals on kitchen appliances, vacuums, headphones, smart home gear, and winter essentials. Prices can fluctuate daily, so always ask Rufus what the pricing history is and set up Rufus price alerts for big-ticket items.

What specifically to watch for:

• Lightning deals that quietly reappear cheaper a few days later
• Third-party sellers inflating original prices
• Better deals in early January than on Dec. 26

Target

Best for: Toys, holiday dcor, wrapping supplies, clothing, gift sets, storage

Typical savings: 30%50% off immediately, deeper discounts in early January.

Targets holiday clearance usually starts with a whimper then gets better with time as they aggressively move stuff out.

What to watch for:

• Pay attention to the clearance stickers that update every few days, if there is a lot on inventory come back and get it cheaper.
• In-store prices often beating online.
• Pay attention to the return policy on deep clearance and final sale items.

Walmart

Best for: Toys, holiday food, seasonal dcor, basic gifts

Typical savings: Around 50% off seasonal items

Walmart is famous for clearing out holiday inventory quickly and aggressively starting on the 26^th.

Consider yourself warned that prices at Walmart drop early and often right after Christmas, and most of the really good deals will be gone by Dec. 28^th.

Heres what to watch for:

• Go early to your local store on Dec. 26 and score the early morning clearance finds.
• Look for store-specific markdowns that dont show up online on Walmart.com.
• They have very limited restocks once items start to sell out. If you see something you like, throw it in your cart as itll be gone quickly, especially if the price is low.

HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls

Best for: Home dcor, throws, candles, giftable housewares

Typical savings: 30%60% off already discounted prices

These stores are great because they quietly roll out post-holiday markdowns rather than advertising a big sale.

The deals are a great time to stock-up on neutral dcor, next years Christmas dcor, wedding gifts, and future hostess gifts.

What to watch for:

• No rain checks or restocks, once inventory is gone its gone forever.
• Prices vary heavily from location to location.
• No online price consistency compared to store prices.

Lowes and Home Depot

Best for: Holiday lights, artificial trees, dcor storage bins and containers.

Typical savings: 50%75% off holiday items

When it comes to your big-box home improvement stores, holiday clearance usually starts strong on Dec. 26^th and gets very cheap by early January if much is left.

This is especially true on Xmas lights, artificial trees, and random stocking stuffers like small tools sets, tape measures, power strips, and paint brush sets.

What to watch for:

• Home Depot and Lowes will typically consolidate all of their clearance stuff into a couple aisles near the front of the store so it should be easy to find.
• Watch out for limited return windows on some seasonal items, some will even be final sale.
• Youll find better deals in-store than online as they try to clear the stuff out of the building to make room for spring inventory.

Wayfair

Best for: Deals on furniture, rugs, storage, home refresh items.

Typical savings: 40%60% off

Wayfairs end-of-year sales overlap with after-Christmas deals, making for a perfect storm for large home purchases if youve been price-watching from the sidelines for a while.

What to watch for:

• Shipping times on large items, they can get steep if youre not careful.
• Compare at pricing that looks inflated. Try to get the price history of the item by doing a Google search for the product with the words price history.
• Flash deals rotating daily, so check back periodically and look for the best deal.

See if your hiding spot is likely to be discovered

• Many of the most popular holiday gift hiding spots like closets and under beds are also the most likely to be discovered.

• Smart decoys and disguises can make even obvious hiding places far more effective at keeping surprises secret.

• A new Holiday Gift Hiding Spot Risk Calculator helps parents gauge how likely their chosen hiding spot is to be found before the big day.

The holidays should be full of joy and surprise not the panic of a premature gift discovery!

But ask any parent, and youll hear stories of curious kids who will start digging around long before Christmas morning. In fact, nearly half of parents report that their child has found a hidden present early, and more than a quarter have had to re-wrap or re-hide gifts because the first spot didnt hold up.

So what spots work best? Lets break it down.

How the findings were gathered

To understand which gift hiding spots work best and which ones fail Alans Factory Outlet surveyed over 1,000 parents across the U.S. about their holiday habits.

Respondents were asked where they typically hide gifts, whether their children have ever found them early, and what steps theyve taken to keep surprises under wraps.

The survey also explored creative tactics parents use to disguise presents, from decoy boxes to locking storage areas. By comparing how often different hiding spots were discovered, the company was able to identify which locations carry the most risk and which are more likely to stay secret through the holidays.

Top hiding spots (and how risky they are)

Some places are classics for a reason but familiarity makes them predictable.

• Closets especially bedroom closets remain the most common choice, with nearly three-quarters of parents using them to stash gifts.

• Attics and basements are great for larger items since kids are less likely to venture there.

• Under the bed can work if you disguise the gift in a storage container or cover it with other items.

• Garage shelves and trunks of cars are popular for bulky gifts when you can keep them out of sight.

• Locked drawers or off-limits rooms add a layer of security especially with older kids.

But beware: the more often a place gets checked, the less hidden your present really is.

Creative decoys that work

Good hiding isnt just where you hide its what you pretend it is:

• Empty boxes labeled something boring (think old manuals or charity donations).

• Nesting gifts put the real present inside another innocuous box.

• Travel bags or suitcases tucked away on a high shelf.

• Disguised in plain sight like on a bookshelf among everyday items.

• Old appliance boxes or mislabeled bins no one bothers to open.

Parents have even taken things further by adding locks or cameras around secret stashes especially for high-value items.

Whether youre a seasoned hide-and-seek champion or trying to stay one step ahead of your youngster, these tips can help make this holiday season's surprises truly surprising.

FDA's approval of first pill version opens the door to more side effects complaints

• Expanded use of GLP-1 drugs may lead to more side effects, already the subject of thousands of lawsuits now moving through the courts.

• Thousands of patients have filed lawsuits claiming the makers of popular GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drugs failed to adequately warn about serious risks, including severe gastrointestinal injuries and vision loss.

• Federal courts have centralized some cases: A federal MDL in Pennsylvania (MDL No. 3094) handles nearly 3,000 cases over alleged gastrointestinal injuries, while a newer separate MDL focuses on vision-loss claims.

The Food and Drug Administration's approval of a pill version of Wegovy expands access to thehighly popular weight-loss medication but also clears the way for more of thecomplications and side effects that often accompany the mass introduction of new medications. There are already several thousand lawsuits alleging harm from various versions of GLP-1, most alleging that companiesdid not sufficiently warn patients or doctors about therisks.

The lawsuits target GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Mounjaro and similar drugs made by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Plaintiffs allege use of these medications caused severe side effects in particular gastroparesis and related gastrointestinal injuries.

Gastroparesis explained

Gastroparesis, a side effect sometimes linked to GLP-1 drugs, is a medical condition in which the stomach empties food into the small intestine much more slowly than normal, even though there is no physical blockage.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent nausea

• Vomiting, sometimes of undigested food

• Severe bloating

• Early feeling of fullness after starting to eat

• Abdominal pain

• Heartburn

• Poor appetite and unintended weight loss

Why it matters

Gastroparesis can be debilitating and sometimes permanent. Complications may include dehydration and malnutrition, unstable blood sugar levels, formation of hardened food masses that can block digestion and repeated hospitalizations in severe cases.

GLP-1 drugs (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro) are designed to slow stomach emptying to help control blood sugar and appetite. Plaintiffs in current litigation allege that in some patients, this effect may become severe or long-lasting, leading to gastroparesis or gastroparesis-like conditions that persist even after stopping the drug.

Federal multidistrict litigation and vision-loss cases

Federal judges have consolidated the gastrointestinal injury cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to coordinate pretrial discovery and rulings. A separate MDL has been created for claims that GLP-1 drugs can trigger non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a serious eye condition that can lead to partial or total vision loss. These vision-loss cases are proceeding before the same federal judge but remain distinct from the GI-injury MDL, according to a Reutersreport.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have contested the lawsuits, arguing that known side effects are already disclosed in product labeling and that scientific evidence does not establish causation for many of the alleged injuries. The companies have challenged various aspects of the claims, including the sufficiency of medical evidence tying the drugs to specific severe outcomes.

What advertisers hoped you wouldnt notice

• 2025s worst ads looked legit but the fine print was the scam: as low as, hidden subscriptions, tiny guarantees

• Credibility bait was everywhere: Made in USA, clinically proven, or charging features that didnt fully match reality

• New playbook: AI fake endorsements + fear-based safety claimsso quick-check the claim + FTC/complaint, verify the spokesperson, and read the return window

If 2025 taught shoppers anything, its that the sketchiest ads arent always obvious . A lot of them look polished, emotional, and too legit to question, right up until you read the fine print (or realize the fine print was the whole trick).

Truth in Advertising (TINA.org) flagged a lineup of the years worst offenders and the patterns are worth memorizing to protect yourself in the future.

A few 2025 examples that hit consumers hardest

Subscription trap marketing

Homeaglow touted a $19 house cleaning but TINA discovered that when you sign-up for the cheap initial cleaning, you get put into an auto-renewing monthly membership.

This is not uncommon, but this membership comes with monthly fees (that dont cover actual cleanings) and an early termination fee thats hard to spot during checkout.

Made in USA vibes with imported parts

Renewal by Andersen created ads for their windows and doors that leaned heavy on the custom built in the USAclaim.

The truth is that their windows and doors contain imported parts. According to the FTC, the Made or Built in the USA claim is only accurate if there is no foreign content in the products at all.

Feature implied, but not included

Nobl promoted their carry-on luggage with charging capabilities for your wireless devices.

But TINA discovered that you still need to supply your own power bank, it only comes with a phone port. The luggage does not contain any power source like their ad implies.

Clinically proven health claims that didnt hold up

NuBest promoted height-growth claims from their dietary supplement.

But when TINA dug into their cited study, they described the results as inconclusive.

AI deepfake endorsement

A Memory Defender video used AI created audio and visuals to make it look like Meryl Streep and Dr. Sanjay Gupta endorsed a natural remedy that helps your memory.

Gupta publicly called it an AI Generated Fake and a total scam.

Marketing safety while targeting fear

Bulletproof school supplies (backpacks, laptop bags, clipboards, etc.) from a company called Hardwire, claimed via their marketing messages that their bag inserts were bulletproof.

While their claims can sound reassuring, the truth according to TINA is that most of their school supplies do not protect from rifles and none protect against all bullets.

How to not get played in 30 seconds

Treat starting at and as low as as a warning label. Get in the habit of always assuming theres a condition (subscription or minimum spend) until proven otherwise.

Search the exact claim + the word FTC or complaint. If an ad is dancing around a regulated phrase like Made in USA or clinically proven, theres a good someone noticed and the company is now trying to skirt the topic while keeping the claim.

For video ads, do one fast credibility check: If a you find an ad with a celebrity or doctor endorsement and it feels shocking or makes you think, why havent I heard this? pause and look for a real source outside the ad.

Unfortunately, AI fakery is now part of the playbook and you have to do your own due diligence if something feels off.

Before you buy, find the return window in the policy. Dont just trust a big homepage headline guarantee.

Unfortunately, those big, friendly guarantees can often shrink once you hit the actual rules and checkout page.

Smart ways to return, resell, or swap unwanted holiday presents

• Unwanted gifts and gift cards dont have to go to waste with the right timing and strategy, you can return, resell, exchange, or even donate them.

• Understanding return policies is key missing deadlines, removing tags, or accepting final-sale items can limit your options and cost you money.

• Gift cards are easiest to deal with when you act quickly selling, swapping, or repurposing them early helps preserve their value and avoids letting them sit unused.

The holidays are full of good intentions but lets be honest, not every gift hits the mark.

Maybe its the sweater thats not quite your style, a gadget you already own, or a gift card to a store you never shop at. Whatever the case, unwanted gifts are far more common than most people like to admit.

The good news? Youre not stuck with them.

Between extended holiday return windows, resale platforms, and creative ways to exchange or reuse gift cards, there are plenty of options to turn an awkward present into something youll actually use. The tricky part is knowing where to start and what pitfalls to avoid especially as retailers tighten return policies or attach fine print to gift cards.

To help consumers navigate the post-holiday gift shuffle, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Bobby Ghoshal, CEO of Dupe.com, an AI-powered shopping platform designed to help shoppers find similar items at better prices. Ghoshal shared insights on how to handle returns smoothly, why gift cards often go unused, and how smarter shopping tools can reduce the chances of needing a return in the first place.

The best and worst ways to offload unwanted gift cards

If you end up with a gift card to a store you never shop at, it can feel disappointing. But it doesnt have to!

The best way to offload an unwanted gift card is to sell it or exchange it on a reliable platform like Gift Card Granny or Raise, Ghoshalrecommends. Just know that you will not receive the full value of each card as the site does take commission. The more popular the store, the higher the value of the card.

If you received a gift card to a supermarket or store that sells gift cards like Walmart or Target, you can also buy another gift card through those sellers for a store youre more inclined to shop at. This will help you retain the full value of the gift card.

A final tip: donate unused or unwanted gift cards to teachers for school supplies or charities of your choice.

On the other hand, the worst thing you can do with an unwanted gift card is forget it exists.

Its estimated that Americans hold billions in unused gift cards, which is pretty insane if you think about it, Ghoshal said. Yes, it may be a hassle to sell or use them, but at least share it with someone who will.

Things to think about before you return

If you end up with a gift you want to return, it may not be as easy or straightforward as you think to bring it back to the store and get something you want. Ghoshal shared some of the biggest pitfalls consumers often face when it comes time to return:

• You missed the deadline for return. Its crucial to understand each retailers return policies. Yes, a gift receipt is great to have, but many gift-givers dont share those with their recipients. In order, to have a successful return, make sure youre acquainted with the retailers policies and that you return the item by deadline. Oftentimes, you will simply get a gift card for an item with no receipt, but the key is to ensure youre getting the highest value for the item. If you procrastinate and your item goes on sale, the store will only give you the value of the item at its current rate.

• You opened the box / removed the tag. If youre not certain that youre going to keep your gift, do not unbox it or remove any tags. There are certain items that absolutely cannot be returned or exchanged without these intact. They also may deduct a percentage of the value of the item if the box has been tampered with. If you want the full refund, and an easy return, dont be impulsive when ripping your gifts open.

• You received a final sale item. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do if the item you received was purchased through a final sale. If thats the case, regifting or reselling makes the most sense. I would suggest to gift-givers that they avoid purchasing these items as gifts just in case your recipient doesnt fall head over heels for the items you selected.

Common gift-giving mistakes to avoid

Ghoshal said that the two most common gift-giving mistakes we often make are: getting the wrong size and getting something the gift recipient doesnt actually want. If you keep both of these in mind, youre less likely to unintentionally give someone a return mishap after the holidays.

If you dont know your recipients exact sizing and overall preferences, I highly recommend a gift card to their favorite retailer, Ghoshal said. Sure, some think its impersonal, but you can never miss if you know them.