DEALS WORTH WATCHING FOR
Planning to hit the stores for a sleek new laptop or wireless speakers this Boxing Day? You’re not alone. But while home electronics continue to generate the most traffic on the day after Christmas, it’s also a good time to find deals on items that may not be top of mind. Even better: You just may be able to use up some of your holiday gift certificates. Read on for some of the best deals out there.
Vacuum cleaners and other home electronics Although the rule of thumb that you should never make a gift of anything that makes housework “easier” still applies, Boxing Day can definitely be a good time to purchase the things you need for your home. Lia Almeida, marketing director for price comparison website ShopBot.ca., notes that vacuum cleaners were among the top three searches for ShopBot last year, with the most popular products being the iRobot Roomba 650 and the Dyson V8 Absolute/Slim. Other home electronics go on sale as well. For example, on Boxing Day last year, Walmart had a hand mixer on for $43 (regular $70) and a single-cup coffee maker for $49 (regular $90).
Shop for upcoming birthday parties
Toys often go on sale at 40-per-cent off or more, so it can be a good time to stock up on Baby Alive or Lego for your kids’ upcoming obligations. That way you’ll have a full “present cupboard” and you won’t have to rush out and pay full price with the big day looming.
Stock up on smellies
Seasonal gift sets of bath and body products generally see discounts of 50 per cent or more on Boxing Day. Camilla often picks up Old Spice gift sets for her son and Olay for herself. Why? Even at full price, these sets often offer a good deal on the deodorant, body wash and other products you use every day. At half price, they’re a genuine bargain. Just toss the box and use them as needed.
Get your cold-weather gear
Winter coats and boots were the top two searches for ShopBot customers on Dec. 26 last year, according to Almeida. “With boots we always see at least a 40 per cent price drop,” she says. And even top brands like The North Face, Arc’teryx and Sorel offer sizable discounts. But order fast, Almeida warns, as high-end brands “are often the first to go out of stock.”
Hunt for fashion finds
“We see Boxing Day as basically a ‘me day,’ ” Almeida says. “The whole family is covered, now it’s your turn to buy that outfit you want.” Almeida uses the occasion to pick up fashionable splurges at bargain-basement prices. Note that glam dresses and glitzy tops and pants meant for the Christmas season are often significantly discounted and can help you kit up in style for New Year’s Eve.
Make an investment in next Christmas
“Two years ago, I really wanted a pre-lit LED Christmas Tree,” Raymond Lau of Canada Deals Blog says. “But the tree I wanted retailed for $250 and there was no way I could justify spending that much.” What happened on Boxing Day? “Low and behold, the tree that I wanted was on sale for 80 per cent off. I was so glad I waited or I would still be kicking myself,” he says. It may seem counterproductive to buy an artificial Christmas tree, decorations or ornaments the day after the gifts have been opened and the turkey served, but prices drop by a minimum 50 per cent and sometimes as much as 90 per cent, according to Lau. Retailers don’t want to store the products for a year. You, on the other hand, can always find room in the crawl space, right?
It’s a wrap
Pat O’Neill of Toronto buys her wrapping paper for next Christmas on Boxing Day. “It’s always 50 per cent off,” she says. “I store it in a long Rubbermaid container under the stairs.” O’Neill points out that while you’ll find many sales leading up to Christmas, retailers hardly ever put cards and wrapping paper on special. “Cards and paper are expensive,” she says. “And honestly, there is so much to do at Christmas, it is nice to know it’s there and I don’t have to go out and buy it.”
Hunt for housewares
Bedding, dishes, pots and pans — You’ll find deals on many of the household items you need on Boxing Day. Better still: Why not pick up gifts for this spring and summer’s crop of weddings and wedding showers? You’ve probably already received the “save the date” notices.