Tips to shop smart during the Boxing Day sales 2024

Christmas may be over, but that doesn't mean you can rest with the Boxing Day sales.

Christmas is a holiday for spending time with family and friends, gifting or giving presents and eating plenty of food. If you've recovered from the 24-hour long food coma, you may want to think about tackling some shopping.

Navigating Boxing Day sales can be a tricky business. From huge crowds to stores ruthlessly competing to outdo one another, it's easy for the day to feel like complete chaos.

Luckily, our shopping team has been through it all so you don't have to. Here's our top tips for a satisfying and stress-free Boxing Day experience.


1. Stay up-to date

If you are after a specific item that you know will be crazy popular, you need to know the moment it goes on sale. If you're shopping online, be aware that some sales will start the second the clock strikes 12.01am - or even start the day before! You need to know when to start shopping the Boxing Day sales and you don't want to be caught unaware of the deals that are happening.

You're in luck because we have a handy Boxing Day deals page that has all the sales listed that you could possibly ask for. Thanks us later.


2. Make your list the night before

if you trick yourself into thinking you'll be fine without a list and won't go over budget, we can assure you that it won't end up that way. You'd be surprised by how quickly you can convince yourself that you 'need' something you've never even thought about before (we're looking at you, Kmart).

Our advice is to plan in advance and make a beeline for your most coveted items. This way, you won't miss out on what you really want and you can keep an eye on how much you've spent before deciding whether to keep shopping or call it a day.


3. Shop online

Boxing Day is a public holiday, and after a long Christmas Day you’re probably not too keen to get out of bed. But you’re in luck, because you can still take advantage of the Boxing Day sales online. You can shop from your mobile or laptop from the comfort of your own bed because for some reason, shopping in your pyjamas is just so much more fun. Saves you having to stress about finding parking, waiting in long queues and dealing with the overcrowded shopping centre.

Check out sites like THE ICONIC and Amazon that make it easy to shop across a range of stores in one go, saving you the hassle of individually checking out sites for all your favourite brands.


4. Plan ahead for the New Year

Some people wonder why you need to go shopping on Boxing Day considering Christmas is done by that stage, but these people don’t understand how to plan like a pro. The Boxing Day sales are a great opportunity to think of the year ahead and score discounts at times when you need them. Birthdays coming up? Valentines gifts to buy? School equipment? It’s all there, all on sale.


5. Know your measurements

It's happened to the best of us... you order something online and when you try it on at home, it just doesn't fit right. Looking at the store's size guides and doing your research is crucial when shopping online. It can make or break a purchase and can make for a very unhappy Boxing Day. Boxing Day can be a time to experience a lot of emotions, so prepare to stress the least amount possible.


6. Ask for gift vouchers for Christmas

It’s last minute, sure, but now’s your chance to request something that will really help you out. It might seem rude or impersonal to request a gift voucher for Christmas, but some people actually prefer you to tell them what you want. It saves them the hassle of trying to guess what to get you AND it helps you with your Boxing Day shopping. Everyone is happy!


7. Don't fall into sales traps

It can be disturbingly easy to max out your credit card when you're convincing yourself that everything you buy is a bargain, but try and think logically. If there's an item that you've been wanting for a while and it's on sale, now is the time to get it. However, if you wouldn't buy the item at full price, there's a good chance that you don't really want it and you're just being seduced by the sale sticker. Remember, even a huge discount doesn't necessarily mean something is worth the price. Stay strong and know when to walk away.


8. Know the returns policy

Checking the returns policy before you shop is key, as this will help you make more effective purchasing decisions. If you're not 100% sure about an item, shopping at a store with cashback returns and free postage can take the pressure off. If you change your mind, you can send it back for free!

There's nothing worse than buying something, deciding to return it and realising that you can only get store credit and the return is going to cost you $15.

You can check out a list of stores with both free delivery and free returns here. And if you're not fussy about free delivery and free returns, at least check that the store offers returns at all. Because some just don't.


Things we can expect to see on sale

Every year at Boxing Day there are a few standard items we always see on sale.

  • Beauty gift packs always make their way to the sale shelves. You know those pretty boxes of hand cream sets and lipstick packs you always see in department stores in the lead up to Christmas? These inevitably end up in the bargain bin on 26 December. If you're in need of some new beauty products, you can find great deals by looking at the discounted gift packs.
  • You can usually find game console bundles on sale on Boxing Day too. Many stores will bundle up a bunch of games with a console to entice Christmas shoppers. Once Christmas shopping is done though, these bundles hit the sale section.
  • Other pieces with slashed prices include the laptops and TVs released in 2020. These are discounted to clear the way for the new models arriving in the new year. Also, seasonal furniture also ends up on sale so stores can clear the floor and introduce the new season stock.

See a snapshot of the sales

Appliances Online Appliances Online

Up to 48% off when you shop soundbar at Appliances Online

BONDS BONDS

40% off storewide

Ends

Sunglass Hut Sunglass Hut

20% off your personalised pair of Ray-Ban + FREE standard shipping

Ends

T2 Tea T2 Tea

30% off full-priced tea + 40% off full-priced teawares

Ends

LEGO LEGO

Up to 20% off select toys sets for Lego Insiders

Ends

Phonebot Phonebot

Up to 50% off sale

Emma Sleep AU Emma Sleep AU
Exclusive

Up to 60% off quality mattresses

Ends

Exclusive
Nancy Ganz Nancy Ganz

Up to 60% off sale shapewear and bras

The Good Guys The Good Guys

Up to $500 off electronics and home appliances

Ecosa AU Ecosa AU

Spend & Save: Up to 35% off everything

Ends

Pet Circle Pet Circle

Up to 40% off pet food, treats & more

Earthrise Earthrise

25% off sitewide + 66% off starter kits

Ends

Kogan Kogan

Black Friday Sale: Up to 70% off

Ends

MyDeal MyDeal

$1444.90 off Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

Ends

Myer Myer

Up to 50% off fashion & homewares at Myer

Amazon Amazon

40% off MSI Thin 15 B13UC-2443AU Gaming Laptop 15-inch: $967

Ends

Vistaprint Vistaprint

50% off select mugs and canvas prints

Norton Norton

Up to $110 off Norton 360 Plans

Ends

Wild Secrets Wild Secrets

60% off Satisfyer Pro 2

Ends

Peter Jackson Peter Jackson

Up to 60% off storewide

Ends

Jeanswest Jeanswest

30-70% off RRP everything on sale

Ends

Amazon Amazon
Editor's Pick

Up to 20% off Apple Airpods

Get deal
Editor's Pick
MAC Cosmetics MAC Cosmetics

20% off sitewide + FREE gifts

Ends

Peter Jackson Peter Jackson

$150 off all sports jackets

Ends

Amazon Amazon

$364 off Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 1 TB

Ends

Jeanswest Jeanswest

Up to 70% off sale

Ends

Gymshark Gymshark

Up to 70% off everything + extra 25% off with code

Ends

Inspiring Vacations Inspiring Vacations

10% off all tours

Ends

Hush Puppies Hush Puppies

30-40% off everything

Ends

Superdry Superdry

30% off everything

Ends

Kenwood Kitchen Appliances Kenwood Kitchen Appliances

Up to 50% off selected stand mixers & food processors

Ends

Peter Jackson Peter Jackson

$250 off all suits

Ends


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Writer

Alex Hourigan is Finder's social content creator and manages everything to do with FinderStyle. You'll find her written and video work featured on sites such as MTV Australia and Elite Daily. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Marketing from Macquarie University. See full bio

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