The week after Christmas is nearly as popular for shopping as the days leading up to the holiday. The National Retal Federation says 51 percent of shoppers want to take advantage of post-holiday deals. Another 27 percent are anxious to spend gift cards and 17 percent will be out returning or exchanging unwanted gifts. If you're on vacation this week, beat the rush: the Saturday after Christmas is typically one of the 10 biggest shopping days of the year.

Here's a look at what to buy now, what to buy later, and some of the biggest post-holiday says.

Best Things to Buy Right after Christmas: 

Holiday decor. Expect 50-80 percent off lights, ornaments, gift wrap and more at boutiques and big box stores.

New cars. After the commercials with the big red bows come the real  big deals. Autotrader.com says the end of the month is the time to cash in on deep discounts on the previous year’s models. 

Video games. Deal News says the best discounts happen after Christmas—on both older titles and newer ones.

Clothing. Expect anywhere from 20 to 80 percent off on winter apparel and accessories as retailers try to clear it out before resort and early spring arrivals.  
 

Wait Until January: 

Exercise equipment. The better deals are likely to kick in along with New Year’s resolutions, in January. DealNews compared last year’s numbers, and reported six times more deals on exercise equipment in January than December. 

Premium Electronics. The Consumer Electronics Show happens in January and that’s when top vendors announce new products, which triggers discounts on older models. 

Big Post-Christmas Sales: 

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale: Dec. 26-Jan. 2 up to 50 percent off select items in store and online. 

Amazon Year End Deals: Whole section of discounts ranging from 30-80 percent off on models of the Echo, Dot, Fire, and more.

Best Buy: Hottest Deals of the Season sale on video games, laptops, cameras, more, in store and online.

Lululemon We Made Too Much sale: big deals on a wide variety of apparel and accessories, in store and online. 

LL Bean Sale on Sale: 25 percent off sale items through Jan. 3, in store and online. 

Evereve: Up to 70 percent off Free People, Michael Stars, and many premium denim brands, in stores and online, Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

Gap Clearance: It pays to shop in store—50 percent off in store, 40 percent off online. 

Statement Boutique Post-Christmas Sale: Find deals at local boutiques, too. 40 percent off winter merchandise starting Dec. 26, 212 Third Ave. N., Mpls., thestatementboutique.com

Max’s Winter Semi-Annual Sale: 30-80 percent off jewelry, chocolate, and home decor. Dec. 26-Jan. 19, Excelsior & Grand, 3826 Grand Way, St. Louis Park. 

Room & Board Floor Sample Event: This popular event has been moved back a week, to Jan. 5. Discontinued items up will be to 50 percent off (get a preview online now…anything marked “discontinued Jan. 5” will go on clearance if there is stock left.)