While many of us look forward to the passing of the holidays as the end of our frantic shopping season, we may do well to consider prolonging our shopping mode a few days to take advantage of post-holiday sale prices.

Here are some tips (partly inspired by an MSN Money article) on rocking the deep post-holiday discounts.

• Know the hot sale items: In addition to decorations and gift tags, the post-holiday season is a great time to buy other items that tend to go on sale in December, including candles, pajamas and paper goods.
• Ignore the patterns: If you’re the type to entertain or picnic and you use lots of paper plates or napkins, don’t be too picky about Christmas themes or snowman décor. Embrace the utility and take advantage of the low prices.
• Plan ahead: Take a moment to think about upcoming events. Now is a great time to buy birthday and teacher gifts and certain around-the-house decorations.
• Buy generic: If you don’t have a stockpile of gifts already, consider starting one – and taking advantage of excellent sales to stock it with classic, flexible gifts like scarves, picture frames, fun socks and scented lotions.
• Think creatively: Holiday ornaments or accessories make great gifts for newlyweds, new parents or those in a new home. Take advantage of rock-bottom prices to get a “starter set” of holiday decorations for someone you know will be starting a new phase of life in the coming year.
• Remember the freezer: Candy wrapped in holiday colors, as far as I know, still tastes just as delicious. So buy your favorite kinds when they’re marked down and store them for the coming months.
• Hit the clearance racks: Some retailers are all but frantic to rid themselves of holiday-themed clothing once Christmas Day passes. This is a great opportunity for you to buy your kids’ next-year sizes – or generic winter clothes for the remainder of this year.

As always, though, it’s important to not get carried away by the frenzy of widespread sales. So take normal shopping precautions when hitting post-holiday sales:

• Set out with a list and a budget
• Be sure to get the details (cost per ounce/unit);
• Shop with a friend (to talk you out of a bad purchase, if necessary)
• Bring a snack to save you money and keep you from getting cranky.

Just be sure you don’t spend so much you need a bankruptcy lawyer!

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