I buy a few packages of luminaries (bags with hole punched designs that usually line drive/walkways).  I use them for gift bags the next year. You usually get about 10 in a package for about a dollar.  I find these at Lowe's the day after Christmas for 75% off. (The only negative-the punch-outs are a little messy!)

I also buy boxed candy (Russell Stover type) and save it to send to relatives at Valentine's Day as well as stock up on red candles for V-Day gifts or a romantic dinner at home.

Also, I usually find nice jars of nuts that might have a Christmas ribbon.  I replace the ribbon and give them as birthday gifts (uncles, brother in law) whose birthdays fall in the first few months of the new year. Also store some in freezer bags and freeze for recipes.

And how cheap is this??  Hit Dollar Tree the day after Christmas for 50 cent bargains!  I got plaid aprons, ribbon, pencils and small toys for stocking stuffers, small village trees, candles, kids' gift wrap and  more. -- Allison M.

Time is money.  Before I go shopping, I call in advance to see what percentage the store has marked down their xmas merchandise.  This is especially helpful at Target since they mark things down very quickly, and often have quite a large stock.  I purchase items I can use all year:  plain wrapping paper, bows, bags, xmas pattern tissues and paper towels (who cares about the pattern?), toys, etc. -- Delinda in Aurora, CO

I shop for my Christmas cards in mid-January.  Last year, I went to Target at that time and they had ALL of their leftover Christmas stuff marked 90% off!!!  I bought 20 boxes of Christmas cards (gave several to family members to use this year), as well as 30 gift boxes, several sheets of self-adhesive Christmas gift tags, Christmas card seals, several bags of bows (the fancy ones - shiny, metallic & sheer), and various other small items (gift bags, fake snow, etc.) - I walked out carrying 5 large bags of goodies, and my total bill was under $15.00 (the cards were about .15 cents a box).  That means I was able to mail out almost 50 cards (we have a very large family) for less than $20.00 this year - barely the cost of the postage.  There are two drawbacks to my method, but they are minor:  1) the selection is much smaller than if you shop during the current season, and 2) it's hard to resist buying the cute new cards that come out for the current season!  But the willpower is worth the money saved (the boxes I bought were regularly priced from $2 to $5 a box).

I am SAHM of 2 boys.  I go shopping for birthdays and quite a few Christmas presents for the FOLLOWING year the day after Christmas.  The sales are phenomenal and most people are in line to return or exchange items, they aren't shopping!  I go armed with a list of who I am looking for and what their ages (or sizes if they are adults) and SHOP SHOP SHOP!  I usually end up only having to buy one or two birthday presents throughout the year, even for those birthday parties that you did not plan on going to!   I always find baby gifts to stash away for that friend who suddenly turns up pregnant and lots of items for teacher gifts.  The craft stores are great to hit for holiday paper and decorations.  I also do this about 2 days after Easter, Halloween and 4th of July and am able to pick up really awesome decorations clearanced out!   PS- If you buy "holiday" chocolate on clearance and put it in your freezer to save, it does not go bad! -- Angie

I always buy several close out 50% off Christmas red and green chocolate kisses and M&M's.  Just separate the red and greens and use them for upcoming holidays. I use the red ones for Valentines day (Just zip lock them for 6 weeks) and the green ones can be eaten or saved for St. Patricks Day.--  Barb from Sammamish, Washington

While I am most tempted to just hit the discounters like Target, I have found great bargains at hardware stores like Menards, office supply stores (bought wrapping paper for $.10 roll one year at Office Max), craft stores, and grocery stores. It seems that everyone wants to provide impulse xmas items, but after the holiday they need to get rid of it fast and down the prices go! Smaller stores at the mall will want to free up their precious space and prices there may be even better.

If it is something you don't NEED, try to hold out for further markdowns. Also, Target may have a gazillion of an item the day after xmas. Waiting a few days may bring the price down on an overstocked item.

Think ahead. Are there items that would make good birthday presents in the year to come? Save money and TIME by picking them up at the after holiday sales.

Anything that has xmas packaging will be put on sale whether it is a holiday item or a box of kleenex. This a good time to stock up on every day items or CANDY/FOOD that has a holiday package. -- Cathy-MN