Clearance Holiday Decorations: Best Buys for Next Year’s Festivities

If you want instant curb appeal on the cheap, the Star Shower Motion Laser Light sets up in minutes—just stake, plug in, and you’ve got moving red and green stars. In our testing, the weather‑resistant design handled light winter conditions and works indoors for parties. The compromises at this price: the cord is short, green often looks brighter than red, and one color can dim or fail over time. At $14.99, it’s an easy backup or accent for big holiday displays.

Stocking up for next year, we found GE’s StayBright 50-count LEDs a bargain way to add warm white sparkle for $6.98, with replacement bulbs and spare fuses included. The glow reads classic and the random twinkle adds just enough movement for trees or garlands. Be mindful that multiple users report sections going dark and proprietary bulb bases can complicate replacements, plus the lighted length is shorter than some 50-count strands. For budget builds, buy a few extras as insurance.

In our testing, Twinkly’s LED String Lights were the most flexible option for creative displays, with individually addressable LEDs that let us map patterns and even upload GIFs. The color range is massive—over 16 million shades—so you can dial in precise hues for Christmas, New Year’s, or team colors. Setup can be fiddly, though; the app and Wi‑Fi pairing occasionally dropped, and the price sits well above basic strands. Our experience shows buying on clearance helps, and longevity can vary by controller.

On a budget or decorating a smaller tree, the Kurt Adler 10‑Light 10.5‑inch Clear LED 8‑Point Star Treetop gives you bright, energy‑efficient sparkle without bulk. In our testing, the classic Bethlehem‑style design blended easily with traditional ornaments and didn’t overwhelm slimmer trees. It’s strictly for indoor use, and build quality can be hit‑or‑miss, with some units feeling flimsy. Attachment methods vary (coil or plastic base), so you may need a few zip ties to keep it sitting straight.

For a finishing touch with vintage charm, the Balsam Hill Double‑Sided Capiz Star Tree Topper casts a pearly, translucent glow that feels classic. In our testing, the double‑sided starburst looked great from every angle, and the traditional bulbs gave off a warm, nostalgic light. The premium $129 price and delicate capiz construction mean you’ll want to handle and store it carefully. Our experience shows it mounts best with a compatible topper adapter or careful wiring for stability.

This Pottery Barn Alpaca Faux Fur tree skirt instantly elevates a tree with plush, luxe texture, and the generous 60-inch diameter drapes beautifully under larger evergreens. In our experience, the machine-washable care (cold, gentle) is a welcome upgrade versus spot-clean-only skirts. The flip side: ivory shows dirt easily and faux fur needs gentle drying or dry cleaning to keep it fluffy. At $129, it’s a splurge, so snag it on clearance if you’re building a high-end look for less.

National Tree Company’s 24-inch Carolina Pine wreath looks full and natural with polyethylene tips and real-looking pine cones, and the warm white LEDs make setup effortless. During our review, we appreciated the placement flexibility for indoor or covered outdoor spots, especially rentals where outlets are limited. Just remember it’s battery powered—you’ll need to supply and replace batteries—and it isn’t rated for fully exposed areas. At $64.99, it costs more than unlit options, but the pre-lit convenience is a time-saver.

We found the L.L.Bean Christmas Needlepoint Stocking to be a roomy classic, about 18-by-7.5 inches, so it actually swallows bigger gifts and not just candy canes. During our review, the cotton needlepoint front and cotton velvet back held their color beautifully and felt durable. You can personalize up to 10 characters for names or initials, though that limit can be tight for longer names and the motifs skew heavily toward pets. Our experience shows it’s best for households okay with dry-clean-only care.

What stood out to us about National Tree Company’s 9‑foot Pre‑Lit Dunhill Fir Garland is how finished it looks right out of the box—glittered pinecones, red berry clusters, and glossy gold balls mean less decorating work. During our review, the 100 warm white LEDs and built‑in 6‑hours‑on/18‑hours‑off timer made nightly ambiance effortless. You will need batteries and a bit of fluffing after shipping, and there’s a Proposition 65 notice for lead on coated wires. Our experience shows it shines indoors or on covered porches.

The Spode Christmas Tree 12‑piece set brings that nostalgic, heirloom vibe to the table, and in our experience the earthenware’s microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer compatibility makes holiday hosting simpler. Service for four is perfect for smaller gatherings or as a starter set to mix with plain white pieces. Do check for shipping damage on arrival, and note the mugs skew on the smaller side. At $232, we’d buy on clearance to expand an existing collection without overspending.

If you’re upgrading your holiday table, the Lenox Holiday 12‑Piece Dinnerware Set delivers a classic look with porcelain plates and mugs trimmed in 24‑karat gold. During our review, we appreciated that it’s dishwasher safe, making weeknight cleanup easy despite its fine-china vibe. The service for four is perfect for small gatherings, though larger families may need two sets, and it isn’t microwave‑safe due to the gold accents. At $289.95, it’s an investment, but clearance pricing often softens the hit.

We like how the Tossware POP 9oz Flute balances party polish with practicality. In our testing, the clear, glass-like look felt upscale on a buffet, yet the patented Pop ’n Lock stackability saved serious cabinet space after the toast. The rPET build is recyclable and BPA-free, so you can feel better about single-use convenience. Just note the 9‑ounce capacity runs smaller than some expect; plan on refills if you’re pouring generous mimosas or sparkling water.

Nest’s Holiday Classic Candle feels gift-ready with its festive glass and packaging, and the fragrance blend—pomegranate, mandarin, pine, cloves, and cinnamon—reads unmistakably seasonal. During our review, burn time approached the advertised 60 hours for the 8.1‑ounce size, which is solid for holiday hosting. However, some buyers report weak scent throw in larger rooms and occasional wick issues like a fading flame or whitening wick. At $50, we’d reserve it for smaller spaces or gifting unless you catch it on post-holiday sale.

Yankee Candle’s Balsam and Cedar is a classic for those who love a true pine-forward holiday scent. In our testing, the 22-ounce large jar offered the long burn time we expect and the signature glass can be repurposed for storage or décor afterward. That said, scent throw can be inconsistent—some units barely filled a room—and we’ve seen occasional reports of damaged glass on delivery. At $34.99, it’s worth grabbing on clearance or price-matching if you want the most value.

Storing a full-size tree is far easier with the TreeKeeper Pro Large Upright Rolling Tree Storage Bag, which lets you keep the tree assembled and wheel it away. During our review, the heavy‑duty polyester felt tough and wipe‑clean surfaces made post‑season dust a nonissue. We found setup can challenge solo users—the bag is awkward to pull over a fluffed tree, and the wheel attachments can be fiddly. Instructions are sparse, so plan extra time for assembly the first go‑round.

Planning ahead for next year, this IRIS 24-inch wreath box kept our greens dust-free and uncrushed in storage. In our testing, the sturdy build and ability to lay flat or stand upright made it easy to tuck onto shelves, and the clear lid/red body combo lets you spot the wreath instantly. The trade-offs: the lid comes completely off and can feel awkward, and some users report latch tabs deforming over time. Note it fits 24-inch wreaths only, but at $29.99 it’s a tidy, budget-friendly solution.

We like the Melissa & Doug wooden advent calendar as a screen-free, reusable countdown that kids can help with—25 magnetic ornaments and a built-in storage box keep the fun organized. In our testing, setup is instant and the pieces are charming, but magnets can be weak and ornaments may tumble if the board is bumped. Some buyers also report missing or damaged pieces and a fragile base/box. At $19.97, it’s a budget-friendly tradition if you handle it gently and store it carefully.

During our review, the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Brass Advent Calendar charmed us as a tabletop accent and a flexible countdown for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and birthdays. The manual rolling knobs are simple enough for kids to update daily, and the brass finish looks polished on a mantel. Be aware it’s lightweight and a few buyers report dents or imperfections on arrival, and there isn’t a New Year or custom-event label. At $24.99, it’s an easy, décor-forward pick for annual traditions.