What is best to buy AFTER christmas, ready for 2024?

[MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel]

Our finances, like everyone, will be massively tighter next year.

As such I will be shopping throughout the year, bits and pieces every month not just for xmas but birthdays as well (my kids will turn 14, 12 & 11).

Whilst I am planner and do save throughout the year, I'm conscious that even with saving I'm paying full price in Oct-Dec.

So, what are the ideal items to buy straight after xmas?

Any suggestions of the best places to do this as well? I'll admit I'm usually an Amazon shopper.

Cards, wrapping paper and crackers.

The kids’ tastes and preferences change so much in a year that I can’t think any further ahead than that.

You mean for 2023 christmas?

Wrapping paper and gift tags - I usually go to Sainsburys on Dec 27th for these. Same withchristmas cards if you buy them. Some shops will reduce before christmas too so buy this year ready for next.

Christmas jumpers/pyjamas in the next sizes if you would buy them normally

Any gift sets for toiletries you would nornally buy

It really depends what you have the space to store and it's only a bargain if you will definitely use it 😂 (don't be like me and end up with ill thought out 'gifts' that end up sitting in a cupboard until a raffle prize request comes through 😂)

Cards
Wrapping paper
Gift tags
Gift bags
Christmas themed clothing in the next sizes
Calendar (buy it after Jan 1st & they're usually over half price)
Christmas decorations (if any need replacing etc)
Presents - maybe generic ones that can be birthday gifts for school parties?

Sorry, I meant 2023 but no harm planning for 2024 too 😄

Check the dates on jars of mincemeat, dried fruit etc. Often these are reduced coming up to Christmas anyway, and within date for next year. Last year my local supermarket had premium advent calendars half price in Jan.

I hate blasting around the shops after Xmas . I think I'm just shopped out if I'm honest . If I do go I sometimes buy the ' filler ' presents eg Xmas socks ( Fatface usually ) . Things that I'd buy every year to bulk out main presents but I don't go searching for them it's only if I come across them .

Crackers
Anything Christmas themed, novelty, clothes, pjs, socks, gifts
decorations (if needed)
paper/tags
winter gifts

I bought my MIL a lovely throw one year in the Christmas sales, it was her favourite colour, cost me £5 originally £30, she loved it. I’ve also bought other little gifts, nice tea sets, scarfs, socks.. Even if I don’t save them for the next Christmas they generally come in handy throughout the year as other gifts I’ve used post Christmas finds as treats for elderly neighbours, school raffles, tombolas…

I managed to get some fabric crackers for dirt cheap just after last Christmas and Christmas jumpers for the children.

Lego!

Christmas cards, wrapping paper and tags, crackers, pyjamas, Xmas puddings with long shelf life till following Xmas. Any gift for extended family that you know they will like. Wouldn't buy DC presents a year in advance apart from pyjamas as their tastes will change a lot in a year.

I got the kids' Christmas jumpers for an absolute steal from Sainsburys last year just after Christmas, just bought a size up. Normally get them 2nd hand but they were something like £2.60 each.

Probably not something to be used for Christmas 2023 but a couple of the school Mum's told me they buy the beauty advent calendars in January for a fraction of the price and keep them to use themselves.

Toy advent calendars like Lego or playmobil

Christmas pyjamas - White Company can do huge savings

Christmas tops/jumpers, I once got a great one with 70% or so off

Wrapping paper, cards and tags - Waterstones was great for this last year but places like Cox & Cox and White Company discount hugely too

Christmas trees! Artificial ones of course 😆 The big garden centres reduce theirs just after Christmas, i got one the other year for £60 when it should have been £180, it was half price, then reduced further as it was the display model 👍

i've been doing this for 10+ years. i'm always on the look out for bargain gifts every time i go to the shops. i even look for gifts on holiday!

Here are my tips (many of them, i got from mumsnet, so may have been mentioned):

yes to wrapping paper, cards, crackers etc on Boxing Day - buy non-christmas wrapping paper as you can also use it for birthday presents.

i also buy all cards i need for the year from card factory and get their 5 for £1 cards for last minute birthdays. i get fairly neutral cards which can be used for men and women.

Winter items ( hat, gloves etc) are often reduced after Xmas i buy the next size up for my children and put away until the following year.

i buy my children things will need throughout the year eg water bottles and stationery as gifts. i buy 'fancy' brands in the sales. that way, when they inevitably break or lose something, they have a replacement to hand. i leave main presents until nearer the time, but the generic stuff i pick up as i see them.

Primark is worth a look for basics such as pants and socks and fluffy pjs. I got lovely socks for £1 for 2 pairs last January. They are ladies, slouchy socks, 2 pairs in a pack, beautifully tied with a little sachet of lavender. Lovely and soft in neutral colours. I also got oodies and onesies in the sale.

I also look for the next size up in hoodies, gloves, hats etc.

Supermarkets are good for crackers, wrapping, cards.

I normally try to get wrapping paper and tags. But couldn't get any last year so will have to bite the bullet and pay full price.

Christmas puddings are usually heavily reduced & have a couple of years expiry date on them. I haven't paid full price for about 10 years! Ditto for wrapping paper. I always buy tags when I see them. Cards if I like them.

I don't usually buy anything else though.

Paper chase (especially the outlet stores at mccarthur glen sites) have great sales on nice cards, paper, tags, gift bags and boxes.

Christmas themed anything, if you buy that kind of thing - jumpers/ pjs/ socks etc.

I have a friend who buys bargain Lego sets in the post Christmas sales.

Winter coats/ boots and winter clothes in general.

@WimbyAce WH Smith's very good for discount wrapping paper. Something like 70/80% off for at least the first half of the year.

Next usually have Christmas jumpers / socks and PJ’s in the January sale. I got slippers for £4 a pair in January this year, ready for the kids Christmas Eve boxes.