Macy’s After-Christmas sale is a little bit different than other retailers. You won’t have to wait until mid-January to score the best pricing. There’s no slow rollout of deals, with percentage-off increasing weekly. Instead, the lowest prices are all released on Dec. 26 every year and remain in play through Jan. 1. It’s especially great for picking up bedding sets, with discounts bigger than the ones you’ll find in mid-January during the annual White Sale.
Macy’s is very generous in stacking discounts and coupons. While you can’t use Macy’s Money during the After-Christmas sale this year (that redemption period typically ends on Dec. 24), stack a Macy’s coupon to save even more than the 50% – 80% on list prices.
The After-Christmas sale isn’t the only great time to shop at Macy’s. There are those Macy’s One Day sales happening almost monthly, not to mention regular additions to the Macy’s Clearance section. Oh, and if it’s beauty deals you’re looking for, their bi-annual 10 Days of Glam event is a good place to start (we expect the next one in May 2024).
Be sure to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app to keep on top of the best Macy’s coupons throughout the year.
1. Macy’s After-Christmas sale is less about timing and more about the department.
A lot of Christmas clearance sales are graduated. That means that as time goes on, the store follows a regular schedule that will gradually decrease the price on any remaining inventory.
Walmart’s Christmas clearance is a good example. Items start out at 30% – 60% off. Then on New Year’s Eve, they’re bumped up to 75% off. Finally, everything’s 90% off around mid-January. The timing of the sales becomes very important because the later the steepest discount comes, the less inventory there will be to mark down.
Macy’s is an exception to this rule. They roll out their best clearance prices all at once on Dec. 26. No further need for a calendar.
The discounts do vary by department, though. We’ll get into some of the specifics in a minute.
2. The Macy’s After-Christmas discount is 50% – 80% off.
Technically, you’ll find some discounts at Macy’s that start at 20% off which is…meh. Because you could find that on on any given Tuesday. The really good stuff that makes up the meaningful part of the After Christmas sale is 50% – 80% off.
Last year we saw some big-time deals, like Yankee Candle 3-wick candles for $8.73 (reg. $26.50), a Bionik DreamGear Essentials Bundle for Nintendo Switch at $7.46 (reg. $24.99), and a Bella Popcorn Popper for around $10 (reg. $30).
3. But you don’t have to wait to score the best deals on coats.
During the After-Christmas sale, Macy’s advertises their 50% – 65% discount on winter coats.
But in 2023 you could already score up to 65% off these items even before Christmas in mid-December. Once again, it’s better not to wait if you want to pick one up. It’ll be the same price you’d pay if you wait until Dec. 26, and there’s no guarantee it won’t sell out before then.
4. Use a promo code for an extra 10% – 20% off coupon.
As if 50% – 80% off weren’t enough, Macy’s is known for issuing an additional 10% – 20% off coupon. Right now that promo code is JOY (valid through Jan. 1, 2024). This is notable because not all Macy’s coupons can be used on clearance merchandise — but this coupon offered during the After-Christmas sale is built for it. You can access this coupon if you’re a Star Rewards member (more about that in a sec) or if you receive Macy’s mailers. Other times the coupon code is right up there in a banner at the top of the Macy’s homepage.
The “20% off” coupon is a graduated discount depending on which department you’re shopping. In the end, it can either be an actual extra 20% off or, for select sale and clearance items, it’s an extra 15% or 10% instead. The coupon excludes “specials,” Bonus Buys, Deals of the Day, and so on.
The exact percentage off and department classifications vary from year to year, so make sure to read the fine print.
Related: Want to understand the fine print on coupons? We wrote a whole guide for that.
5. You’ll have to spend your Macy’s Money before the After-Christmas sale starts.
Kohl’s does this cool thing where the Kohl’s Cash redemption period lines up perfectly with their After-Christmas sale, allowing you to maximize your store rewards and take as little money out of your own wallet as possible.
Unfortunately, Macy’s does not do the same thing. The Macy’s Money you earned by shopping between Dec. 7 – 14, 2023, had to be redeemed between Dec. 15 and Dec. 24, 2023. So the two promotions don’t overlap.
TIP: Kohl’s tends to be lenient in their Kohl’s Cash expiration dates, allowing you to use them up to seven days after they expire. Macy’s will be doing you no such favors. Your Macy’s Money will not work on Dec. 26.
6. Earn rewards points on your purchase by joining Macy’s Star Rewards.
There are two ways to join Macy’s Star Rewards: there’s the free way, and then the credit card way.
The free way gives you one point for every dollar you spend, which is essentially 1% cash back on all your purchases — including the ones you make during the Macy’s After-Christmas sale. You have to spend $1,000 to earn a $10 Star Money Reward.
The deal gets sweeter if you have a Macy’s credit card, you receive 2% rewards with no spending threshold, 3% rewards after you’ve spent $500, and so on. But then you’ll have a credit card — which could cost you a whole lot more in interest than you’re earning in rewards if you’re not incredibly careful.
Related: Here’s what you need to know about Macy’s Star Rewards.
7. Stack After-Christmas sales with Macy’s rebates for even more savings.
Want to make the savings even better? You’re allowed to stack Macy’s rebates on top of After-Christmas sales — as long as you can find an item on the current rebate list that lines up with the post-holiday discount. This year I’m seeing rebates offering a free $200 – $300 Macy’s gift card with certain purchases of mattresses.
TIP: You can find rebates year-round. Here are 29 other Macy’s saving hacks you can use regardless of time of year.
8. The best sales are on artificial trees — they’re 80% off.
The absolute largest sale you’re going to find at Macy’s After Christmas sale is going to be 80% off. So if you see a deal at 80%, grab it up. It’s not going to get cheaper.
The number one item that is consistently in this sales bracket is artificial Christmas trees. Every year, we’ve found $100 trees for just $20 in the days after Christmas at Macy’s.
Other items you’re likely to see at 80% off are ornaments and other holiday decor.
9. Score bedding, glassware, and more for 65% – 75% off during the Macy’s After-Christmas sale.
There’s a long list of items that are marked down 65% – 75% off during the Macy’s After Christmas sale. Some specific departments to keep your eye on include:
Keep your eyes open, though. This is by no means an all-inclusive list.
TIP: If you’re waiting for the White Sale in January, don’t. Historically, we’ve seen bigger discounts during the After-Christmas sale than during the White Sale — where the discounts at Macy’s have only been 50% – 60% off in the bed and bath departments.
10. Get beauty gift sets for 50% off.
Fifty percent may not be the largest discount Macy’s offers during their After-Christmas sale, but their beauty gift sets are popular at this percentage off regardless.
Gift sets allow you to try new products without investing in a full-size collection, and at 50% off you can scoop up a lot of high-end brands at a meaningful discount.
Related: If you find a shampoo or conditioner brand you like, shop the Ulta Jumbo Love sale to stock up on liter sizes after Christmas.
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