Home Depot Christmas Clearance: What to Expect After Dec 25

When Home Depot Christmas clearance usually starts

Home Depot Christmas clearance is one of the most popular clearance events for deal hunters, and for good reason. Once December 25 passes, the store needs space for winter and spring products, so leftover holiday stock starts getting marked down.

Shoppers commonly report markdowns showing up in the days right after Christmas. Home Depot doesn't publish an official schedule, though. Markdowns are handled store by store, so one store may be marking items down while another nearby store hasn't started.

If you're new to how markdowns work, our Home Depot clearance guide covers the basics.

What goes on clearance after Christmas

Most holiday merchandise is fair game. Common categories include:

• Light sets: string lights, LED and incandescent, icicle and net lights
• Inflatables: yard inflatables of all sizes
• Yard decor: lighted figures, light-up reindeer, pathway markers
• Artificial trees: pre-lit and unlit, tabletop to full size
• Wreaths and garland: artificial greenery, pre-lit or plain
• Indoor decor: ornaments, tree toppers, tree skirts, stockings
• Storage: ornament boxes, tree bags, light reels
• Projectors and light controllers

Live trees and fresh greenery are a different story. They're usually gone or discarded before or right after the holiday.

How the markdowns typically progress

Shoppers commonly report a pattern like this for holiday decor. Treat it as a rough guide, not a promise.

Each store moves at its own pace. Some skip steps, some hold a price longer, and some clear the seasonal area fast to make room. Popular items like big inflatables and nicer trees often sell out during the first markdown.

Should you buy early or wait?

This is the classic after-Christmas question. Here's how to think about it:

Buy early (around 50% off) if:

• You want a specific item, like a certain tree size or a popular inflatable.
• It's something lots of people want.
• 50% off already fits your budget.

Wait (75% off or more) if:

• You're flexible on style and size.
• You're stocking up on basics like lights, ornaments, or storage.
• You're buying to resell and need a low cost to make a profit.

A middle path many hunters use: buy the one or two "must-have" items early, then come back for basics as discounts deepen.

How to read Christmas clearance tags

Holiday clearance items usually get yellow clearance tags showing the clearance price, the "was" price, and a date. Our guide to reading a Home Depot yellow clearance tag explains each field.

Two cautions:

1. Shelf tags lag the system. The register is what counts. Scan the item's own UPC in the Home Depot app with your store set, or at self-checkout.
2. Not every yellow label means clearance. Some promo labels are yellow too.

Some hunters also watch price endings for clues. The popular theory says .00 is a new markdown and lower endings like .03 or .02 come later. Many hunters in 2026 report that the pattern is unreliable and varies by store. See what Home Depot price endings mean before you rely on them.

Where to find leftover holiday items

The seasonal area is the obvious spot, but it's not the only one. As stores reset for spring, holiday leftovers often get:

• Squeezed into a smaller section or a single aisle
• Moved to a clearance corral or cart
• Left on end caps or tucked behind newer stock
• Stashed near the garden center

For more spots, read where penny items hide inside a Home Depot store. The same places catch holiday stragglers.

Christmas clearance and penny items

When holiday items finish their markdowns without selling, some get set to $0.01 in the system. Employees widely report that the penny price is a signal to pull the item and send it to receiving.

Missed units can sometimes still ring up at a penny. But Home Depot doesn't publish a penny policy, and stores can refuse to sell items at $0.01. If they say no, put it back and thank them. Our Home Depot penny items guide explains how it works.

Never hide holiday items to wait for a lower price. It's unfair to other shoppers and staff.

Is after-Christmas clearance worth it for resellers?

It can be, but plan for one big catch: holiday items only sell well for a few weeks a year. Anything you buy in January you'll likely hold until next fall.

Before you fill a cart to resell, think about:

• Storage space. Boxed trees and inflatables are bulky. Eleven months in a garage adds up.
• Shipping size and weight. Large boxes cost a lot to ship, which eats into profit. Local pickup sales may work better for big items.
• Condition. Damaged or opened boxes are harder to sell at a good price.
• Demand next year. Brands and styles change. Something that looks like a steal now might be easy to find again next season.

Many resellers focus on smaller, lighter items that ship easily, like light sets, projectors, and boxed ornaments. They wait for the deeper markdowns so there's room for profit after fees and shipping.

If you're buying for your own home, it's much simpler. Get what you'll use next year at a price you like, and don't worry about waiting for the bottom.

Tips for a better after-Christmas haul

• Measure your storage first. Cheap inflatables and trees take space. Know what fits before you buy.
• Check the box. Look for missing parts or damage, especially on open boxes.
• Test lights if you can. Some displays let you plug in a sample.
• Compare stores. Since markdowns are store by store, one store may be at 75% while another is still at 50%.
• Keep your receipt. Ask about return rules for clearance before you buy if that matters.

Watch prices without making daily trips

The hardest part of after-Christmas clearance is timing. Drive over too early and you pay more. Wait too long and it's gone.

PennyLoot checks clearance prices at the Home Depot stores near your ZIP, re-checks them weekly, and re-checks penny and near-penny leads daily. That makes it easier to spot when holiday items at a nearby store drop to the next level. Prices and stock change fast, so always confirm in store.

You can also plan ahead with our Home Depot seasonal clearance calendar and best day and time to shop Home Depot clearance.

Before you drive to the store

• Make a short list of what you want (tree, lights, storage, inflatables)
• Set your price limit for each
• Check prices in the app for your store
• Head to the seasonal area, then clearance corrals and end caps
• Scan each item's UPC, not the shelf tag
• Inspect boxes for damage or missing parts
• Plan a return trip a week or two later for deeper discounts