6 Things to Do After Christmas That Save You Money Next Year

Once the wrapping paper is gone and the house feels a little too full, it’s tempting to shove everything in bins and forget about it. But a few smart moves right after Christmas can make next year cheaper and easier. Think of it as doing your future self a favor.

Sort decor before you pack anything

Instead of dumping everything into tubs, make two piles: “love and use” and “tired or broken.” Toss anything that’s broken beyond repair, missing key pieces, or that you skipped all season because you don’t really like it anymore.

You’re not being wasteful by letting go of things that aren’t serving you. You’re clearing space so you can actually find and enjoy the items you do love next year—and you’re less likely to buy duplicates because you forgot what you own.

Store lights and greenery so they actually last

Shoving lights into a ball and stuffing garland into too-small bins is the fastest way to ruin them. Wrap light strands around cardboard, reels, or even old coffee cans. Coil garlands loosely and secure them with soft ties before laying them in longer bins.

When things are stored neatly, they’re less likely to break, tangle, or get crushed. That means fewer emergency runs for new lights or greenery next year just because the old ones are a mess.

Make a simple “used and needed” list

Right after Christmas, while it’s fresh, grab a notebook or open your phone and jot down two quick lists:

• What you used and loved
• What you wish you’d had more or less of

Maybe you ran out of tape twice, never touched half the baking supplies, or realized you needed more extension cords and fewer themed napkins. That list becomes your guide next year so you’re not guessing in October.

Set a rough gift and decor budget now

You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet, but it helps to set a few numbers while you remember how it felt. Decide on a total you’re comfortable with for gifts, decor, and food. Break it roughly by category or by person if that works better for you.

Even a ballpark budget gives you something to aim for when the sales start rolling in later. Instead of “That looks like a good deal,” the question becomes, “Is this in the plan?” which saves you from loading up on things just because they’re marked down.

Shop clearance with a specific list

Post-Christmas clearance can be great, but it’s easy to walk in without a plan and come out with bags of stuff you didn’t need. Bring that “used and needed” list and focus on items that will definitely earn their keep—wrap, plain ornaments, replacement lights, storage containers, or neutral decor.

Skip the third set of themed dishes or a fifth throw pillow that only matches this year’s colors. You’ll feel better about your clearance haul if everything has a clear job for next season.

Create a holiday box with notes for “Future You”

Before you tape bins shut, tuck a folder or notebook into the top of one of them with a few notes:

• Any recipes that worked really well
• Traditions you enjoyed and want to repeat
• Things you’d change next time (less baking, fewer events, more downtime)

When you pull out your decor next year, those notes will be right there. You won’t have to rely on memory to recreate the parts of Christmas that actually mattered to your family—or to remember what you promised yourself you’d do differently.