Post-Christmas Letdown + the BEST After-Christmas Sales
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! It was a very different one for us, as I shared with you in THIS post. Even though we’d just spent five days with her in NYC, we loved having Becca “home” (at our apartment), and she was jubilant to be here, even though I’m sure it felt weird for her not to be in her childhood room.
Truthfully, it was hard not to think about another family enjoying our (former) home on Christmas. Isn’t it funny how so many memories are connected to places? It reminded us to put the focus on the Savior, His birthday, and how grateful we are to be a family! There were lots of texts, photos, and FaceTimes going on with those we were not with yesterday! I’m sure it was the same at your house (or apartment!).
It’s been a weird, warm Christmas week in Dallas, with temps in the 80s! As I write this on Friday morning, we’re expecting a high of 84 today! It felt decidedly un-Christmasy, but we made the best of it, walking to brunch on Christmas Eve, taking the grandkids to the park, and walking to Trader Joe’s for last-minute groceries. Different from any year before, but we enjoyed not having to wrangle coats everywhere we went!
The strangeness of it all reminded us to keep our eyes firmly planted on the reason for the season, and I found myself relinquishing (palms up!) my plans, expectations, and more. And I’m so grateful for that.
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I hope your day was wonderful! New York City is expecting a snowstorm tonight, so Becca is hoping her flight will be cancelled and she’ll have one more day. We would LOVE that!
Post-Christmas Let-Down
I always feel a little overwhelmed the day after Christmas with the post-Christmas letdown. Do you? I need to clean everything, organize all the boxes and bows for next year, get on the treadmill because I ate so much over the past few days, and get out to the grocery store again. Instead, I want to take a nap, “play” with my gifts, and get in some online after-Christmas shopping!
I’m tired, and I’m sure you are, too.
I know you’ve worked hard the last few days to serve and bless your families. Don’t let the post-Christmas letdown get the better of you! (I’m talking to myself here!) Be sure to take some time out to relax this weekend. (How great is it that today is Friday?!) You’ll be better for your family if you do it, I promise! Enjoy having your family home. If patience is in short supply, you might want to reread this post.
This weekend, we’ll regroup for next week, do some shopping, prep a few returns, and take down the Christmas decor. (Yes, I’m one of those people who takes it down immediately!) We’ll run it out to our storage unit and probably bring home the Valentine’s decor! (I told you I was one of those people!)
Big hugs from me to you today. Good job the last few days, sweet friends!
Best After Christmas-Sales
ALLBIRDS | Up to 60% off end of season sale! This is my favorite brand of machine-washable sneakers. (Bob loves them too!) Shop women’s styles HERE. Shop men’s styles HERE.
AMAZON | Winter Sale! Save up to 40%! There are so many amazing DEALS. Remember to use the filters on the LEFT sidebar of the page to find what you’re looking for easily and efficiently!
ANNE COLE | Check out their sale section! This sale is perfect if you have a warm-weather vacation planned over the holidays! ☀️
ANTHROPOLOGIE | Extra 50% off sale items! Take 30% off in their Home Refresh Event! Yep! 30% off select bedding, mirrors, in-stock furniture, and more!
BATH & BODY WORKS | Semi-annual sale! Up to 75% off candles, lotions, and so much more! $2.99 on select hand soaps & wallflowers with code STOCKUP.
BAUBLEBAR | 20% off sitewide. Up to 80% off sale styles!
BEAU & RO | Extra 40% off sale items! I love the beautiful quality of their designs! Perfect for a special occasion when you want to look super chic and get all the compliments!
BODEN | Winter Sale ❄️ Up to 50% off!
CHICO’S | Up to 70% off 100s of styles in their Semi-Annual Sale! Start HERE and filter by size for time-efficient shopping.
COLUMBIA | Up to 50% off holiday deals! If you’re heading somewhere cold on an empty nester getaway soon, you won’t want to miss this sale!
COZY EARTH | 20% off SITEWIDE with code CE-EMPTYNEST!
DERMSTORE | Up to 40% off + an extra 10% off on already marked-down items with code EXTRA10.
DUDLEY STEPHENS | End of season sale. 40% off sale styles with code LASTCALL.
ELEMIS | With code DOUBLE, receive a 5-piece gift (worth $134) with any full-size purchase, featuring a full-size Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash plus bestselling minis and accessories.
FANATICS | Up to 40% off with code CHEERS. Put in your team HERE and see what you can find at a good price!
FRONTGATE | Year end sale. Up to 70% off. Check out everything on sale HERE.
HILL HOUSE HOME | Extra 20% off sale styles with code EXTRA20.
HUNTER BOOTS | Up to 30% off Winter Sale! I own and love their Chelsea Boots!
GRANDIN ROAD | Additional 50% off clearance.
J.CREW | End of season CASHMERE sale! Up to 50% off on cashmere for women, cashmere for men, and cashmere for kids. Plus, take an extra 60% off on all sale styles with code FESTIVE.
J.CREW FACTORY | 40% to 70% off everything + extra 70% off clearance with code TAKE70.
JOY CREATIVE SHOP | Check out the 7 dollar sale section!
KENDRA SCOTT | Up to 50% off the semi-annual celebration sale!
LANDS’ END | 40% off full-price styles + an additional 60% off sale & clearance with code SHIMMERING.
LAURA GELLER | Up to 75% off everything + an extra 10% off with code NYE10! I know I can count on Laura Geller Beauty for high-quality, easy-to-use products that are specially made for skin over 40!
L’OCCITANE | Up to 40% off select items.
LOFT | 50% off entire purchase! Today only, $29 dresses!
MACY’S | Up to 60% off after Christmas sale!
MARK & GRAHAM | Up to 60% off + FREE shipping on orders with code CELEBRATE.
MARLEYLILLY | Extra 20% off Flash Sale with code GETGIFTY on the cutest monogrammed clothes and gifts!
MUDPIE | Take an extra 40% off all sale items with code EXTRA40. Mudpie is the place for cute home and hostess gifts!
NATURAL LIFE | Extra 20% off all sale clothes with code YAY25. Also, check out their end-of-year clearance sale.
NIRA SKIN | Up to 30% off! This at-home laser WORKS! I use mine every night! (See my before and after photos HERE.) FDA-Cleared, clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. I use mine every night!
NORDSTROM | Save up to 60% off your favorite brands in Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale, including Vince Camuto, Madewell, UGG, and more! Plus, up to an extra 40% off Designer Clearance. (For efficiency, be sure to use the filters in the left sidebar to filter for size, brand, etc.)
POTTERY BARN | Up to 60% off end-of-season sale. Check out what’s on sale HERE.
QUINCE | Rare end-of-year sale! Only lasts 24 hours! From luggage to sunglasses, bedding, and so much more!
RIFLE PAPER CO | 50% off holiday clearance and save up to 50% off all planners.
SEPHORA | Extra 20% off sale items with code BONUS20.
SHEEC SOCKS | Use code ENB15 for 15% off sitewide on the no-show socks that work with any shoe style and are money-back guaranteed not to slip off!
SHUTTERFLY | 50% off almost everything! Start HERE.
SOMA | Up to 70% off Semi-Annual Sale! Prices start at $19.99 for Sleepwear, $14.99 for Bras, and $19.99 for Apparel.
TALBOTS | Take 30% off one new arrival. Plus, their Semi-Annual Red Door Sale! Extra 40% off markdowns. Check out THESE deals starting at $24.50.
TARGET | Up to 50% off the clearance event. Click HERE for all the great deals!
TORY BURCH | Semi-Annual Sale! Extra 25% off sale. Shop NOW for the best selection!
TUCKERNUCK | End of the year sale! Up to 50% off dresses, tops, and more! Click HERE for everything on sale.
ULTA | Up to 45% off jumbo hair products. Great time to stock up!
UNTUCKIT | 20% off sitewide with code SALE! Styles starting at $39! Known for their wrinkle free men’s shirts that are just the right length to wear tucked in or untucked, they also have women’s clothing I love!
VINEYARD VINES | Up to 70% off all sale styles with code WOAS25.
WALMART | Can’t miss end-of-year clearance sales! Click HERE.
Happy shopping, sweet friends! Have a restful next few days. I’ll be back with my NYE post early next week! Please leave me a comment and let me know how your Christmas was! (Probably best not to email, as I’m not checking my emails right now.)
Our holidays were a little different this year, too. My older son lost his job right before Thanksgiving. He drove down on Tuesday and has been dragging his feet as to when he’ll return to his place. I love having him home, but I also want him to continue the job search. My mother-in-law also drove down on Tuesday. Terrible weather at Thanksgiving prevented her visit then. My younger son became an EMT in October. Now that he is through his training, he has been picking up extra shifts at every opportunity to earn money to pay for the tuition of paramedic school that starts in July. He works nights so he missed our Eve gathering. We went to my parents’ church for a lovely candle light service and then went to their house for snacks and gift opening. In order to open gifts Christmas morning with my EMT, the plan was for everyone to get up very early, open gifts, and then off to bed for him because he was working Christmas night, too. The plan was for him to text me to let me know he was on his way home and then I would wake everyone else. At 5:30 a.m. he texted that they just got a nasty call and he would be late. Finally, at 7:15 he texted that he was on his way home. Might have been a speed record in gift opening so he could get some sleep. My expectation of having him for holidays will need to be different moving forward. We’ll have to adjust or carry on without him. He’s out saving lives and any mom would be proud of that. Weather has prevented my mother-in-law from leaving today. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better for her. An appointment on Monday has her wanting to get home sooner than later. My daughter had an appointment this morning. Unexpectedly, a biopsy was done on a spot on her neck. She gets quite anxious about things. Praying that she not worry too much until we have more information. She goes back in 3 weeks. She’s off of school for 2 more weeks and off from work for another week. Praying she finds projects to keep her busy and not wallowing in worry. Sunday is my birthday. Hoping to keep it a little quiet as it’s been a little crazy around here. Happy New Year!
Nikki,
Good gracious, Mama! Hang in there and know I’m praying for you. Bless your weary heart. You are on call and doing an amazing job juggling it all. I know your support, love, and encouragement must mean so much to your family!
Thank you for sharing, and know that I’ve got you on my mind and in my prayers.
xoxo
Suzy
Crazy Christmas here, too! One of our adult daughters and her family was so sick that they couldn’t make it at all, and then my other daughter arrived with her family and stayed in bed from Tuesday to Thursday. We just did our gifts today! Meanwhile one of the in-laws grandparents is having a major mental breakdown and they have to keep coming and going to help out with that side of the family! But, my prime rib is in the oven right now and we’re hoping to eat a delicious dinner tonight despite all the craziness! It’s also 75 here in Atlanta so it does not feel Christmassy! Thanks for your post and I love looking at your pictures of your sweet family! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Betsie,
Oh, mama! Flexibility is the name of the game! This one will go down in your family’s memory banks, for sure.
Praying for you!
xoxo
Suzy
Suzy, I laughed reading what you said about putting the Christmas away and bringing the Valentines out. That is exactly what I did today. I’m still going through stuff organizing and cleaning but it feels so good to get done with things.
Your family is beautiful. Wishing you all a happy healthy new year.
Juliet,
YESSSSSS! We’re in full Valentine’s mode at the apartment, and now I just need to make a little wreath purchase! Hahahahaha!
I feel like I’m finally ahead of everyone! Hahaha! (As if!)
Thank you for getting me!
xoxo
Suzy