Christmas Home Decor Sale: Where and When to Buy Holiday Decor for Less

Christmas decor is expensive. A quality tree costs $100 to $300. A good garland costs $30 to $80. A set of ornaments costs $20 to $60. And if you buy it all in November or December, you pay full price. The problem is that most people shop for Christmas decor during the Christmas season, when prices are at their highest. The smart approach is to buy during the sales. You buy after Christmas for next year, you shop the mid-season sales, and you know which stores have the best deals. This guide covers where and when to buy Christmas home decor for less.

Christmas home decor sales cover the discounts, clearance events, and seasonal promotions on holiday decorations for the home. The best sales offer 50 to 70 percent off quality decor. The worst are the pre-season sales that offer 10 to 20 percent off and call it a deal.

The right Christmas home decor sale saves you 50 to 70 percent on quality decor. Here’s where to shop, when to shop, and what to buy on sale vs. full price.

When to Buy Christmas Decor on Sale

After Christmas (December 26 to January 15)

The after-Christmas sale is the best time to buy holiday decor. Stores are clearing out their inventory, and prices drop to 50 to 70 percent off.

What to buy:

• Artificial trees (50 to 70 percent off)
• Ornaments (50 to 70 percent off)
• Garland and wreaths (50 to 70 percent off)
• Outdoor decor (50 to 70 percent off)
• Gift wrap and bags (70 to 90 percent off)
• Lights (50 to 70 percent off)
• Stockings and tree skirts (50 to 70 percent off)
• Table linens (50 to 70 percent off)

Where to shop:

• Target (50 to 70 percent off, starts December 26)
• Walmart (50 to 70 percent off, starts December 26)
• HomeGoods and TJ Maxx (50 to 70 percent off, starts December 26)
• Michaels (50 to 70 percent off, starts December 26)
• Amazon (50 to 70 percent off, starts December 26)
• Pottery Barn and West Elm (50 to 70 percent off, starts December 26)

Tip: Shop early (December 26 to 30) for the best selection. Shop late (January 1 to 15) for the lowest prices but limited selection.

Mid-Season Sales (October to November)

Mid-season sales are the sales that happen before the holiday season. They’re not as deep as the after-Christmas sales, but they’re a good time to buy if you need decor for the current season.

What to buy:

• Artificial trees (20 to 40 percent off)
• Ornaments (20 to 40 percent off)
• Garland and wreaths (20 to 40 percent off)
• Lights (20 to 40 percent off)
• Stockings and tree skirts (20 to 40 percent off)

Where to shop:

• Amazon (early November deals)
• Target (early November deals)
• Wayfair (October and November sales)
• Home Depot (pre-season tree sales)
• Michaels (pre-season sales and coupons)

Tip: Sign up for store emails to get early access to sales and exclusive coupons.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Late November)

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the biggest sales events of the year. They’re a good time to buy Christmas decor, but the deals are not as deep as the after-Christmas sales.

What to buy:

• Artificial trees (30 to 50 percent off)
• Lights (30 to 50 percent off)
• Outdoor decor (30 to 50 percent off)
• Smart home decor (30 to 50 percent off)
• Inflatable yard decor (30 to 50 percent off)

Where to shop:

• Amazon (Cyber Monday deals)
• Home Depot (Black Friday tree deals)
• Lowe’s (Black Friday tree deals)
• Target (Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals)
• Walmart (Black Friday deals)

Tip: Compare prices across stores. Some Black Friday deals are not as good as they seem.

Summer Clearance (June to August)

Some stores have a summer clearance that includes leftover Christmas decor from the previous year. This is a hit-or-miss option, but you can find deep discounts.

What to buy:

• Leftover artificial trees (70 to 80 percent off)
• Leftover ornaments (70 to 80 percent off)
• Leftover lights (70 to 80 percent off)

Where to shop:

• Target (summer clearance)
• Walmart (summer clearance)
• Amazon (summer warehouse deals)

Tip: This is a hit-or-miss option. The selection is limited, but the prices are the lowest you’ll find.

Where to Buy Christmas Decor on Sale

Amazon

Amazon is the best source for Christmas decor deals year-round. They have a wide selection, competitive prices, and frequent sales.

Best for: Variety, fast shipping, and year-round deals. Best time to buy: After Christmas (December 26 to January 15), Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.

Target

Target is the best source for trendy, affordable Christmas decor. They have a wide selection, and their after-Christmas sale is one of the best.

Best for: Trendy decor, affordable prices, and a great after-Christmas sale. Best time to buy: After Christmas (December 26 to 30 for selection, January 1 to 15 for lowest prices).

HomeGoods and TJ Maxx

HomeGoods and TJ Maxx are the best sources for quality, discounted Christmas decor. They carry high-end brands at 30 to 50 percent off retail.

Best for: Quality decor, discounted prices, and unique finds. Best time to buy: After Christmas (December 26 to January 15) and throughout the season (selection varies by store).

Michaels

Michaels is the best source for craft and DIY Christmas decor. They have a wide selection, and they offer frequent coupons and sales.

Best for: Craft decor, DIY supplies, and coupons. Best time to buy: After Christmas (50 to 70 percent off), and throughout the season (with a 40 to 50 percent off coupon).

Wayfair

Wayfair is the best source for online Christmas decor. They have a huge selection, and they offer frequent sales and clearance events.

Best for: Online shopping, large selection, and frequent sales. Best time to buy: October and November (pre-season sales) and after Christmas (clearance).

Pottery Barn and West Elm

Pottery Barn and West Elm are the best sources for high-quality, classic Christmas decor. They’re more expensive, but their after-Christmas sale offers deep discounts.

Best for: High-quality, classic decor. Best time to buy: After Christmas (50 to 70 percent off).

What to Buy on Sale vs. Full Price

Buy on Sale

• Artificial trees (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)
• Ornaments (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)
• Garland and wreaths (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)
• Lights (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)
• Gift wrap and bags (buy after Christmas for 70 to 90 percent off)
• Outdoor decor (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)
• Stockings and tree skirts (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)
• Table linens (buy after Christmas for 50 to 70 percent off)

Buy Full Price

• Fresh trees (they’re only available during the season)
• Fresh garland and wreaths (they’re only available during the season)
• Personalized items (they take time to make and are rarely on sale)
• Limited-edition or collectible items (they sell out and don’t go on sale)
• Specific items you need for this season (if you can’t wait)

What to Skip Entirely

Pre-season sales that offer 10 to 20 percent off. These are not real sales. Wait for the after-Christmas sale for 50 to 70 percent off.

Decor that’s cheap and won’t last. A $5 garland that falls apart after one season is not a deal. Choose quality decor that you can reuse for years.

Decor you don’t need. A sale is not a reason to buy. Only buy decor you need and will use.

Decor that doesn’t match your style. A cheap item that doesn’t match your color scheme or style is not a deal. Only buy decor that fits your home.

Too much decor. A sale can lead to overbuying. Only buy what you need and have space for.

**Decor that’s hard to store. A giant inflatable or a large item that’s hard to store is not a deal if it takes up too much space in your garage or attic.

FAQ

When is the best time to buy Christmas decor on sale? The best time is the after-Christmas sale (December 26 to January 15), when prices drop to 50 to 70 percent off. Shop December 26 to 30 for the best selection, or January 1 to 15 for the lowest prices but limited selection.

Where can I buy Christmas decor on sale? Amazon (year-round deals, after-Christmas sale), Target (trendy decor, great after-Christmas sale), HomeGoods and TJ Maxx (quality decor, 30 to 50 percent off retail), Michaels (craft decor, coupons, after-Christmas sale), Wayfair (online, frequent sales), and Pottery Barn and West Elm (high-quality, after-Christmas sale).

What should I buy on sale vs. full price? Buy on sale: artificial trees, ornaments, garland, wreaths, lights, gift wrap, outdoor decor, stockings, tree skirts, and table linens. Buy full price: fresh trees, fresh garland and wreaths, personalized items, limited-edition items, and specific items you need for this season.

How much can I save on Christmas decor? During the after-Christmas sale, you can save 50 to 70 percent on most decor and 70 to 90 percent on gift wrap and bags. During mid-season sales, you can save 20 to 40 percent. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can save 30 to 50 percent.

What should I avoid when buying Christmas decor on sale? Avoid pre-season sales that offer only 10 to 20 percent off (wait for the after-Christmas sale), cheap decor that won’t last, decor you don’t need, decor that doesn’t match your style, too much decor, and decor that’s hard to store.

Should I buy Christmas decor after Christmas for next year? Yes. The after-Christmas sale (December 26 to January 15) is the best time to buy decor for next year. You can save 50 to 70 percent on trees, ornaments, garland, wreaths, lights, and more. Store the decor in a labeled bin and you’ll be ready for next season.

How do I find the best Christmas decor sales? Sign up for store emails (Target, Amazon, Michaels, Wayfair) to get early access to sales and exclusive coupons. Check stores on December 26 for the after-Christmas sale. Compare prices across stores before buying. And shop the summer clearance for leftover decor at 70 to 80 percent off.

References

• RetailMeNot. “Christmas Decor Sales.” https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/christmas-decor-sales
• Slickdeals. “Christmas Deals.” https://slickdeals.net/deals/christmas/
• Amazon. “Christmas Decor Deals.” Check on Amazon