Guest Post: Stretching Christmas Bargains All Year Long

This article comes to us from reader and frugal hostess Janene Wittmayer. I hope you find it helpful as you bargain hunt through Christmas clearance sections this time of year!

Stretching After Christmas Bargains All Year Long

Christmas bargains don’t have to be just for next Christmas. When looking for deals after Christmas keep in mind the events on your personal calendar for the year. Do you have a kids Valentine’s Party to plan? Are you going to a wedding this spring or summer? Do you host St. Patrick’s Day at your house? Do your kids go to several birthday parties throughout the year? Do you need to bake for your small group once a month? Try these tips to stretch your bargains all year long.

• Pickup items such as tablecloths, napkins, tableware, ribbon, and bags as well as all wrapping items in the color red.   It is a color that can be used for several holidays throughout the year: Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and birthdays. Red stars work well for the 4th of July as red hearts for Valentine’s Day (I found some stuffed heart ornaments that would work to embellish a gift).

• Check out the white or silver ribbon, wrapping paper, tissue, bows and even non-Christmas ornaments (can be used for embellishing a gift) to use for weddings and wedding showers. For winter weddings use white or silver snowflakes. (Snowflakes can be used for any winter party). Brides can use white ribbon and white lights for decorating. White dishes match any holiday or event and can be mixed with other dishes.

• Green items work for St. Patrick’s Day.  Irish mint candy (saw Hershey Kisses this year and green and white mints), or Irish mint flavored coffee. (Freeze items to keep them fresh) Green mint ice cream is a tradition on St. Patrick’s Day in our house but I don’t know if it could make it until then :). Also green is a great color for birthdays and Father’s Day.  Any non-traditional color items like blue or purple in things like bows, ribbon, tissue, wrapping paper, whatever you can find that doesn’t scream Christmas can be used for gifts throughout the year.

• Crafting items such as tape, ribbon, bags, snow batting (good for making your own pillows, stuffed toys and small quilts), paper, and holiday craft kits (not just Christmas specific for other times of the year) can be used for crafting all year long. These also can be used for kid’s parties.

• And don't forget cheap toys for the birthday parties that your kids get invited to all year, nieces and nephews, and Easter baskets.  Also look for favors and gifts for birthday parties you will host during the year. Stick with timeless toys that would appeal to most boys or girls such as Starwars, Spiderman, Batman, and Legos for boys or baby dolls and Barbies for girls. Also, classic board games and puzzles are good to pick up for either sex.

• Look for food and baking items that aren’t decorated just for Christmas.  One example is the deal posted by Sheila right here at FM Cheapskate for Pepperidge Farm cookies at Cashwise.  Stock up on the ones that aren’t decorated for Christmas and freeze.  Pull out for an unexpected guest, a party, Easter brunch, or just for fun during the year. They would also make a nice hostess gift taken out of the bag, put in a jar or clear bag and tied with a ribbon.

• Use baking goods such as cookie cutters (snowmen, stars, snowflakes, etc), plain colored cupcake liners, white frosting, chocolate chips, chocolate candy, nuts, even flour and sugar to make some delicious treats on the cheap. (Put the chips, candy, nuts, flour and sugar in the freezer.)  Chocolate Christmas candies can be unwrapped and used for cookies or desserts.  

Enjoy the year for less.

Thanks, Janene!