The Best Tips for Shopping Target Christmas Clearance

If you want to save big at Target after Christmas, this post will help guide you with all my best tips for shopping Target Christmas clearance. I have shopped Target Christmas clearance for basically my entire life. I hardly remember a December 26th that didn’t begin with shopping Target Christmas clearance. (After all, I did grow up in Target.)

As a little girl, I remember going with my mom and sister. It was part of our Christmas tradition. We would get bath and body packages, little make-up sets and even gifts for the year ahead.

I always recommend visiting Target right before Christmas so you have a good handle on the inventory at your store, as well as where you can find Christmas items. Some stores will move items to the back of the store in the holiday section, while others will let items sell in their original locations.

Target’s Christmas Clearance markdowns after Christmas tend to go like this (these dates are based on last year – thanks to All Things Target for posting.)

50% off (30% off food/bath & body) – December 26

70% off (50% off food/bath & body) – December 29

90% off (70% off food/bath & body) – January 2

That said, they shift every year and this year Target has done a lot of markdowns quicker than usual.

I definitely recommend being at Target when the store opens on the day things go 50% off, 70% off and 90% off. People are usually waiting at the doors and popular items sell out quickly. (I monitor the All Things Target Facebook page to see when people post about things going lower. A perk of being in central time zone is that east coast fans always post.)

The biggest tip to remember is this:

If you REALLY want the item, and the inventory is low, buy it at the current mark-down.

Other tips to keep in mind:

Never buy wrapping paper, bows and gift bags at 50% off. You will always be able to find them at 70% off – if not at Target, at another store. My store always has so much inventory that I don’t buy wrap until it is marked 90% off. Also, look for wrapping paper that can be used for birthdays and other gift needs during the year.
Wait to buy things with significant inventory: If there is a lot of any product that you wish to purchase, wait to buy it. I often will stop at Target every few days between things going 50% and 70% off (and between 70% off and 90% off), watching something that I want to buy. If inventory dwindles, I will buy it at 50%. If not, I will get lucky and be able to buy it at 70% off.

Scan, scan, scan: Sometimes you’ll find items in unmarked areas, so use the scanners in store to verify markdowns.
Don’t wait on outdoor items: Lights and lawn decorations rarely last until things go 70% off, so buy them now.
Look for items that will work for Easter baskets! Many small “stocking stuffers” are perfect for Easter baskets in a few months. (Read my post for more on putting together cheap Easter baskets using Target clearance.)

Shop the entire store: You will typically find holiday clearance in bath and body, home decor and bedding (flannel sheets and pillows) and food. Don’t forget to check end caps too! Target employees do condense as the days go on and inventory dwindles, but I’m always surprised by the “hidden deals” I find. Bullseye’s Playground (the dollar spot at the front of the store will also go clearance.)
You must go to the store: This clearance sale does not happen online, so you do need to go to the store to get the big savings.