Every year, like clockwork, Christmas ends and the discounts begin. Wrapping paper drops to 75% off, ornaments are cleared out, and artificial trees suddenly become a bargain. While it might feel like a niche habit, buying Christmas decorations after Christmas is surprisingly common — and consumer surveys show it’s a deliberate strategy for many shoppers.
Post-Christmas Shopping Is More Popular Than You Think
Retail surveys consistently show that a large share of consumers plan to shop after December 25th. While some are hunting for gifts they didn’t get, many are intentionally waiting for post-holiday sales to stock up on seasonal items.
In multiple holiday shopping studies, roughly one-quarter to one-third of shoppers say they specifically look for discounted holiday décor once Christmas is over. When you zoom out even further, more than half of consumers say they believe the best deals of the entire holiday season happen after the holiday itself.
In other words, waiting isn’t an accident — it’s a plan.
Why Decorations Are a Top Post-Holiday Purchase
Christmas decorations are especially well-suited to after-Christmas shopping for a few key reasons:
- They don’t expire – A set of lights or ornaments will look just as good next December.
- Discounts are steep – Retailers often mark décor down 50–90% to clear seasonal inventory.
- Low urgency – Unlike gifts or food, decorations aren’t needed immediately.
- Easy to store – Many shoppers buy for “future Christmases,” not the one that just ended.
Because of this, decorations like lights, ornaments, wreaths, and artificial trees regularly appear among the most common post-holiday discounted purchases in consumer surveys.
A Budget-Smart Mindset
Another trend that shows up repeatedly in polls is the rise of strategic, budget-conscious shopping. Many consumers report intentionally delaying purchases because they expect prices to fall. This mindset has grown stronger in recent years as people look for ways to stretch their money further.
Buying decorations after Christmas fits perfectly into this approach:
- You avoid peak-season pricing
- You reduce holiday financial stress
- You spread out spending across the year
For some shoppers, post-Christmas décor shopping has become as routine as Black Friday.
Retailers Expect It Too
Retailers are well aware of this behavior. That’s why clearance sales begin almost immediately after Christmas Day. Stores plan for a wave of bargain hunters who aren’t done shopping — they’re just getting started.
Online searches for “Christmas decorations sale” and “after Christmas clearance” reliably spike in late December and early January, reinforcing what surveys already suggest: demand doesn’t disappear when the holiday ends.
So, How Many People Actually Do It?
While there isn’t a single definitive poll asking only “Do you buy Christmas decorations after Christmas?”, existing research paints a clear picture:
- A majority of consumers expect better deals after Christmas
- Roughly 25–30% actively plan to buy discounted holiday décor
- Even more shoppers say they buy seasonal items post-holiday at least occasionally
That makes post-Christmas decorating deals less of a quirky habit — and more of a mainstream shopping strategy.
The Takeaway
Buying Christmas decorations after Christmas isn’t just smart — it’s common. Polls and consumer surveys show that millions of shoppers intentionally wait for post-holiday discounts, especially for items that can be reused year after year.
So if you find yourself browsing clearance aisles on December 26th, you’re not late to the party — you’re right on time.