Christmas gift wrap, bows, and decor can be costly in November and December, which is why the best time to stock up is during after-Christmas clearance sales. And CVS is one of the best places to find holiday deals to put away for next season. Since they have a little bit of everything, you can stock up on holiday essentials at even better prices than the CVS Black Friday deals.
CVS is typically open on Christmas Day, but markdowns are usually found a day or two later, and true clearance deals don’t happen until after New Year's Day.
For more CVS coupons, deals, and money-saving tips, download the KCL app.
CVS Christmas Clearance Schedule
We predict the following schedule for CVS Christmas clearance, but actual sale information varies from location to location.
Predicted CVS After-Christmas Sale Dates 2025 - 2026
Dec. 26, 2025: 50% off
Jan. 6, 2026: 75% off
CVS typically starts marking down holiday merchandise on Dec. 26, usually kicking off with a 40% or 50% discount. Over time, the discount increases to 75%. Before 2024, CVS would go as high as 90% off, but in 2024, we didn’t see any 90% off markdowns.
We’ve found a sweet spot between waiting for better prices and grabbing the items you want before they’re gone. For example, shopping on Dec. 26 or 27 means you’ll spend more, but you’ll likely find everything you need for next Christmas in one trip. If you wait until the first week of January, you could save up to 50% more per item, but the shelves will be picked over, leaving you with fewer options.
In 2025, CVS opted not to include any online Christmas clearance. If you're planning to shop the clearance sale, you’ll need to head in-store to get any deals.
KCL TIP: For the best mix of savings and selection, shop around Jan. 6. By this time, discounts will reach 75%, and you’ll still find a decent selection before inventory is sparse.
Best Things to Buy During CVS Christmas Clearance
Christmas Cards
CVS typically has plenty of boxed greeting cards left after Christmas, so it’s a good time to stock up. Look for cards that don’t have the current year printed on them so you can send them out next season. (You can also frame holiday greeting cards for inexpensive holiday decor.)
Gift Wrap and Supplies
Like the Christmas cards, you can normally find holiday gift wrap, bows, and supplies for at least 50% off after the holidays. It's a great time to get high-quality wrapping paper and ribbons that will make your gifts look extra special next year.
Christmas Candy
The CVS shelves are typically well-stocked with chocolate Santas, red and green peppermints, and other seasonal candies. Usually, you can get a great deal on these, but since they’re perishable, be sure to only buy what you'll eat before it expires. (I always look for candies I can bake with since it doesn’t matter what color the wrappings are.)
In the past, we've found 12-packs of Brach's candy canes for as low as $2.50 (regularly $4.99), which were perfect to bake with.
Holiday Decor
When it comes to home decor, look for items you can reuse year after year. Items like Christmas lights, stockings, ornaments, candles, and wreaths are easy to save until the next holiday season — just watch out for items with the year printed on them.
Small Gifts
I like to keep a few holiday-scented candles on hand for holiday parties and last-minute gifts, and after-Christmas clearance sales are a great time to stock up. Avoid food items or edible gift baskets; stick to items that won’t go bad.
For example, during prior CVS Christmas Clearance sales, we found Kinetic Sand for $1.50 (regularly $5.99), holiday candles for $2.99 (regularly $11.99), and Disney headphones for $7.50 (regularly $29.99). Some shoppers even spotted Barbie dolls, Lego sets, and Squishmallows for 75% off.
Tips for Shopping CVS Christmas Clearance
Scoring the best Christmas clearance deals ultimately depends on your store location and inventory, but there are a few methods to help you find the best savings.
1. Shop in-store for the best selection.
CVS Christmas clearance is available in-store only, so head to your local stores for deals. If you’re searching for something specific, consider checking multiple locations, especially in larger cities.
Use the red price scanners in-store to double-check clearance prices — items often ring up lower than marked. Keep in mind that price-checking on your phone only shows regular prices, so the in-store scanners are your best bet.
2. Use coupons or ExtraBucks to save even more on CVS clearance.
Typically, CVS coupons don’t work on sale items, but you can use your ExtraBucks Rewards to purchase sale and clearance items.
3. Call the store to ask if prices have been lowered.
If you’re waiting for the price to drop on something specific, it could be worth calling ahead to see if they’ve increased their discount since your last visit. You can also find out what day of the week your particular store does markdowns.
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