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The Joys of After-Christmas Clearance  Sales
by:  Joyce Moseley Pierce

This year when I opened my Christmas tubs to start decorating, I surprised myself by finding some items that I had picked up on clearance last year.  

1.  Ornaments - Last year I found some adorable little Santa ornaments that were on clearance at 90% off.   These little Santas were unusual because they weren't red - they were a brown pottery,  and each one was holding a heart.   I love both hearts and Santas, so I bought every one they had.   At the ridiculously low price of about a quarter apiece, I couldn't pass them up.    This year, I lined them up on a shelf behind my Christmas tree, and when surprise visitors came to call with a gift, I had something to give them, too.  No one left empty handed.  Everyone thought they were just adorable...and I'm sure they thought I paid much more for them.

2.  Decorations -  I was in a Hallmark store last year after Christmas and picked up a beautiful nativity scene at half price.  Since Christmas was already over, I packed it away with my other Christmas decorations.  When I opened the tubs up this year, I had totally forgotten about this set.  A nativity scene in my home really helps me to focus on the "reason for the season," which is the Birth of Christ.  Maybe you already have one, or your collection of them is enough, but it's a great gift for someone else.   You can generally buy two at this time of year for what you'd pay for it in the pre-Christmas rush.

3.  Candle holders.  You may not want to buy candles and keep them until next year unless you have space inside your home to store them.  They would melt on the first day of summer in my attic!  However, last year I found some beautiful candle holders for a fraction of their original price.  They were beautiful frosted glass with an unfrosted snowflake design.  With a tea light inside, the light shines through the snowflake and looks just beautiful.   I grabbed a few of these and they made wonderful hostess gifts this year.   Include a tea light, or even fill it with Christmas candies.

4.  Pot holders.  This might seem like a crazy gift, but you'd be surprised at how many people just love getting pot holders.  One year a woman in my office gave all of us Christmas pot holders.  We all thought it was a little odd, but no more odd than the other person who gave each one of us a bar of soap!   Once I got that pot holder home, though, I realized how shabby my old pot holders looked.  Ever since then, I buy Christmas pot holders for my friends.  Sometimes I'll include a freshly baked loaf of bread or a small plate of cookies, but after the goodies are gone, the pot holder remains.

5.  General Christmas stuff!    You can find Christmas picture frames, which are great to give as is, or customize it with a picture that person would enjoy.  I have Christmas picture frames that I change every year with the latest picture of my grandkids with Santa.    Other items might include Christmas soap holders, soap dispensers, towels, spreaders, mugs, and even butter bells.   If the packaging is a bit tattered, you can always repackage it in a bag stuffed with tissue paper.

6.  Wrapping paper, bags, tissue and cards - Almost everyone knows you can get bargains on these items right after Christmas.  With the introduction of dollar stores, this might not be that big of a deal, but if you like a particular card manufacturer, like Hallmark, for example, this is the best time to buy them.

In addition to getting such a great price on all of these items, the best part was my own surprise (and relief!) when I discovered them at the start of the Christmas season.  Instead of rushing out to find gifts, I had them already, and that allowed me to do what I like best, and that's spend this time of year with my family.

Copyright 2007.  Joyce Moseley Pierce.  Visit www.emersonpublications.com 

JCopyright 2007 by Joyce Moseley Pierce. Visit www.emersonpublications.com to read more of Joyce's stories, to subscribe to the Family First newsletter, to learn how to protect your family in your absence, or discover ways to make money at home. This site is dedicated to helping others create family unity in many different ways.