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.
Trending Boxing Day deals - updated daily
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
15% off pre-loved finds
Enjoy great discount on top brands like Zimmermann, Alemais, Anna Quan, Aje and more at eBay. Simply use the code at checkout. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
15% off top picks from Japan
Apply the promo code to score your discount at eBay. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
30-40% off men's casual jackets, knits, sweats & shirts
Score 30-40% discount on men's casual jackets, knits, sweats & shirts at THE ICONIC. Valid for a limited time only. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
30% off women's boots and slippers
Hurry, valid on selected styles from Basque, Sandler, Easy Steps, Ravella and more at THE ICONIC. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
50% off Dyson products
Enjoy up to 50% off Dyson vacuums, air purifiers, hair tools, and more. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Up to 85% off sitewide + Extra 10% off sale items
Score up to 85% off linen, homeware, and more at Canningvale. Pluse, get an extra 10% off when you apply the code at checkout. Excludes Clearance. T&Cs apply.
Up to 20% off value bundles
Save 20% on selected value bundles from beauty brands such as Olaplex, The Beauty Chef, Pureology, Dermalogica and more at ActiveSkin. While stocks last. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
20% off Endota Spa
Limited time offer. Valid on new orders only. May exclude limited edition items and packs/kits.
Up to 45% off sale
Shop ActiveSkin's clearance section and enjoy up to 45% discount on sale items. Valid while stocks last. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Take a further 20% off sale
Take an extra 20% off already marked down products at White & Co. Discount applied automatically at checkout. Cannot be combined with other discount codes or promotions. T&Cs apply.
30% off sitewide
Save 30% on all items sitewide at Ally Fashion. Limited time offer and while stocks last. T&Cs apply.
20% off + FREE Skin Mylck on $149 spend
Apply the code at checkout to avail the offer at Esmi. Excludes gift cards. Can't be combined with other offers. T&Cs apply.
Save when you book your stay 15 days in advance
Enjoy the Advance Saver rate when you book up to 15 days prior the day of arrival. Available without or with breakfast included, except for some hotels where the offer is available only with breakfast included or half board. T&Cs apply.
Up to 52% off Wine Frenzy
Don't miss out on Wine Selector's biggest sale yet. Now for just $13.50 a bottle for premium Australian Mixed, Red and White dozens. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
25% off ghd hair tools at THE ICONIC
Don't miss out on this limited-time offer at THE ICONIC. T&Cs apply.
30% off THE ICONIC Frenzy
Don't miss out on huge savings at THE ICONIC. Valid for a limited time only. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
30-50% off sitewide
Enjoy 30-50% off shoes and accessories at Hush Puppies. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Up to 80% off ASOS Clearance Sale
Shop the Clearance section at ASOS and score up to 80% off dresses, jeans, tops, skirts, outerwear, and more. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
40% off probiotics
Use the code at checkout and get 40% off probiotics at JSHealth Vitamins. T&Cs apply.
$100 off the 4-step skincare set
Shop the 4-step skincare set and score $100 off by using the code at checkout at JSHealth Vitamins. T&Cs apply.
FREE box of protein bars with your order
Receive FREE box of protein bars with your order with a min spend of $60 at JSHealth Vitamins. T&Cs apply.
FREE shipping with code FINDERFS
Use the code FINDERFS to enjoy FREE shipping at JSHealth Vitamins. T&Cs apply.
20% off with code FINDER20
Enjoy 20% discount with a min spend of $100 by using the code FINDER20 at JS Health. T&Cs apply.
40% off off kids' clothing and baby zippys
Save big on kids' pullovers, trackies, tees, leggings, shorts, baby zippys and more at BONDS. Hurry, while stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Buy 2, get 40% off socks and tights
Buy 2 pairs of socks and tights to get 40% off your orders at Bonds. Selected styles only. While stocks last. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Up to 40% off international hotels
Book from July 10-14 to enjoy up to 40% off at select hotels in Mykonos, Santorini, and Bangkok. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
Buy one shed over $500, get $100 off your 2nd shed
Don't miss out on this limited-time offer at Easy Shed. T&Cs apply.
Extra $10 off over $75 spend
Save $10 on orders worth $75 or more at MyDeal. Simply use the code upon checkout. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
Save $80 on the iPhone 12 from just $439
Get a refurbished iPhone 12 for as low as $439 at Green Gadgets. Limited time offer. While stocks last. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Spend $70 or more and get a FREE Gifts
Get FREE Fix+ and Magic Radiance when you spend $70 or more. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
$20 OFF complexion
Receive $20 off when you purchase any two complexion products. Offer automatically applied at checkout. Limited time offer. Terms and conditions apply.
Get FREE full size botanical kinetics product
Spend $120 or more and get FREE full-size botanical kinetics product. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
30% off full-price items
Enjoy 30% off full-price shoes and accessories at Nine West. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
FREE 6-piece gift when you spend $150+
Get a 6-piece gift when you spend $150 or more for YSL Beauty Club Members. Plus, get 10% off your first order for new members. T&Cs apply.
25% off sitewide + up to 50% off clearance
Don't miss out sitewide offer at Levi's. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
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