Best things to buy in January

Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for January in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price.

• Special events with shopping discounts and deals in January include New Year’s Day January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday, January 16, 2023) and Lunar New Year (January 22, 2023).

Discounted seasonal items to buy in January

Christmas items

Most of the leftover Christmas décor is already gone, such as lights, ornaments, holiday kitchen gadgets and serving pieces, holiday gift wrap, and greeting cards. But if you identified some needs for next year and have the room to store it, definitely peruse the discount aisle and check over what’s left.

Retail gift cards

Retailers push gift card sales until Christmas but may be sitting on excess gift cards now. Check your favorite stores and restaurants and stock up if you find a gift card deal you know you’ll use (or gift) before the expiration date. (You always check these details when you buy gift cards, right?)

Desk and wall calendars

You’ll find discounts on desk and wall calendars for the current year towards the end of January and closeout prices in February on leftover stock.

Dressy party clothes

Leftover cocktail dresses and other party attire from Christmas and New Year’s celebrations will be marked down. So, think ahead to any expected need for sparkly, festive attire.

Toys and video games

Before Christmas is usually the best time to buy many types of toys. Retailers also often raise prices back to pre-holiday levels. But there may be some deals on leftover toys and games. Plus, I like to find the discount shelf in any store and see if there is anything on my “need to buy” list.

Beauty product and perfume gift sets

Beauty products and perfumes are popular gifts for Christmas. Leftovers may be deeply discounted. Think ahead to Mother’s Day, graduation, and birthday gifts you might need.

Televisions and home electronics

The January Consumer Electronics Show (CES) show in Las Vegas is usually the time when new technology is introduced. After CES, there is often leftover stock from Christmas that didn’t sell out and will be discounted leading up to Super Bowl Sunday (which is always the second Sunday in February). This goes for TVs as well as other home electronics, including “smart home”, surveillance, lighting, and energy-saving equipment. You’ll likely find video games discounted, too.

Furniture and flooring

At the beginning of the year, furniture and flooring retailers may have discounted floor models and discount prices on leftover stock.

New products to buy in January

Free days in Hawaiʻi National Parks

On five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on the following Free Entrance Days. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2023:

• January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 22: First day of National Park Week
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

The following National Parks in Hawaiʻi participate in free entrance days:

• Big Island: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
• Big Island: Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
• Maui: Haleakalā National Park

Valentine’s Day Flowers

If you normally send long-stemmed roses for Valentine’s Day, order and pay for them by mid-January and you will likely see better prices than if you wait until February.

Gym memberships and fitness equipment

Many people make New Year’s resolutions that include getting healthy and keeping fit through diet and exercise. Many gym and health clubs also take the opportunity to offer deals and packages on membership. The investment can provide additional incentive to stick to a healthy living mindset. So, it’s a good time to consider a gym membership or investment in a recreational sport or exercise program.

Active wear and exercise accessories

Along with gym memberships, find deals on yoga pants and tights, dance wear and warm-ups, sweats and hoodies, athletic socks, sports bras, and sweat bands. Plus, find discounts on related exercise gear such gym bags, stretch bands, dumbbells, etc.

Organizing and storage supplies

You might find closeout prices on red and green storage boxes. January is also a good time to buy all sorts of organizing accessories: storage bins, clothes hangers, drawer organizers, shoe racks, shoe boxes, and more.

Bedding & bath towels

“White sales” take place in January. The term originated in the 1880s, when retailers held sales of white linen bed sheets. Today, you can find discounts on all types of bedroom and bathroom “linens”, including sheets, pillows, pillow covers (allergies, anyone?), blankets and comforters, mattress pads, and bath towels.

Winter Fruits & Vegetables

Locally grown produce available year-round in Hawaiʻi:

• Fruits: coconuts, longan, papaya, pineapple, and ‘ulu (aka breadfruit)
• Vegetables: cabbage, herbs, lettuces and greens, mushrooms, and sprouts

Seasonally, January is peak time for:

• Fruits: citrus (lime, orange, pummelo/pomelo, tangerine) guava, rambutan, strawberry, starfruit
• Vegetables: avocado

Wheels & Watercraft

If Santa didn’t bring you a new car, it’s still a good time to buy some new transportation, car, new motorcycle, or moped. January can also be a good time to find a used car, because buyers who got that new Christmas ride will want to sell their old vehicle.

If a bicycle is your idea of the best ride, spring through fall is the best time to buy—earlier for more selection and later for lowest price. But almost any time of year, you can peruse the closeout section of any bike shop (online or brick and mortar) to find a good deal on a good ride.

Cruises and vacations

January-March is a good time to shop for cruises and vacations later this year. In a normal year (which we hope 2023 will be), you want to book early for a spring cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean to find extras and incentives on shore excursions, upgrades, and on-board credit.

However, cruise trip prices are usually lower for Caribbean cruises September-December because that’s hurricane season (in which case, buy travel insurance and confirm details carefully). Of course, the cruise industry is still in great flux, so you may want to pass on a cruise in 2023 altogether or book one later this year for 2024 or wait and see how the year progresses.