The holiday season runs on specific, festive fuels. We drink gallons of eggnog, spiced cider, and holiday-themed coffee in December. However, the moment the calendar flips to January 1st, these beverages become retail poison. Stores need to clear the shelves immediately to make room for “New Year, New You” health drinks. This urgency creates one of the most reliable clearance events of the year for beverage lovers.
1. Eggnog and Holiday Creamers
Eggnog is the most volatile item in the dairy case. It is a highly perishable product with a very specific seasonal window. Stores cannot sell it in January. Starting on December 26th, you will see aggressive markdowns on cartons of eggnog and holiday-flavored coffee creamers (like Peppermint Mocha or Gingerbread). Prices often drop by 50% to 75%. Since these products can often be frozen or used in baking, they are a steal for savvy shoppers.
2. Holiday Coffee Blends
Coffee brands release special “Holiday Roast” or “Winter Blend” bags every year. These are simply standard coffee beans in red and green packaging. Once Christmas passes, the packaging makes them look outdated. Grocery stores and coffee shops like Starbucks will mark these bags down significantly to clear them out. The coffee inside is still fresh and delicious for months, regardless of the snowflakes on the bag.
3. Sparkling Cider
Bottles of non-alcoholic sparkling cider are a staple for New Year’s Eve toasts. However, stores often over-order. In the first week of January, you can find bottles of Martinelli’s and store-brand sparkling juices on deep clearance. These bottles are shelf-stable and can last for years. They are perfect to buy now and save for summer picnics or next year’s celebrations.
4. Seasonal Craft Beers and Winter Ales
The beer aisle follows the seasons closely. In December, shelves are full of “Winter Warmers,” stouts, and Christmas ales. By January, distributors want to replace these heavy, dark beers with lighter, spring-focused brews. You will often find 6-packs and cases of winter seasonal beers on clearance racks. Since beer has a decent shelf life, these are great to stock up on for the remaining cold months.
5. Hot Cocoa Gift Sets
The seasonal aisle is filled with elaborate hot cocoa gift sets that come with mugs, marshmallows, and peppermint sticks. These are technically “food items,” but they are merchandised as gifts. On December 26th, they fall under the general “holiday clearance” umbrella, which means they are usually marked down by 50% immediately. You can disassemble the kits to get cheap cocoa packets and mugs for your own pantry.
6. Holiday Teas
Brands like Celestial Seasonings and Bigelow release limited-edition holiday tea flavors like “Candy Cane Lane” or “Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride.” Like coffee, these are shelf-stable products that are doomed by their festive packaging. You can find boxes of these herbal teas for pennies on the dollar in January. They are a cozy and cheap way to warm up during the rest of the winter.
The “Best By” Bonus
The best part about this specific clearance event is that, except for eggnog, most of these products are shelf-stable. Coffee, tea, cider, and beer will last well into the spring or even next winter. You are paying a clearance price for a product that has perfect utility. It is one of the few times you can buy “expired” seasonal goods that still have their full lifespan ahead of them.
Do you wait for the post-holiday sales to buy your winter drinks? What is the best clearance deal you have ever found on a beverage? Share your finds!
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The post Seasonal Beverages That See the Biggest Price Drops After Christmas appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
