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 20, 2025).
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 sparkly party attire from Christmas and New Year’s celebrations will be marked down. So, think ahead to weddings you might be attending this year or for next year’s holiday season or any other expected need for 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
Take advantage of Free Entrance Days in the National Parks (nps.gov) throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates this year:
- January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 19: First day of National Park Week
- June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 27: 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
You might also like: Hawaiian Islands Farmers Markets (hawaiionthecheap.com)
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. 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).
January is also a great time to book a summer vacation. You can typically find package deals on hotels and airfares to many locales.
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)
