Dilliards' New Year's Day Sale

Okay folks, you will want to file this away for next New Year's Day. The sale is so big that my parents and grandparents from Canada extend their vacation to be here for it.

For one day only, everything that is already marked down at Dilliards (anything with a pink sticker) is another 50% off. And that is about 1/3-1/2 of the store. We discovered this about 4 years ago by accident and it has been a family tradition since. Two years ago I scored my favorite purse of all time--a beautiful gray Coach bag regularly $398 for $120.  I get compliments on it wherever I go.

The first key is to scope out the store ahead of time. My mom and I went once on Monday and got a general idea of what was on sale, then we went again yesterday to decide what we wanted and what was a priority. We also may or may not have hidden a few items in the store that we wanted to make sure to find. This only works about 30% of the time, but it is worth a try and saves major time. This time I just gathered together the kids' clothes that I wanted and put them all together on one rack. It is also important to try on the shoes and clothes you are sure you want so you don't waste precious time on sale day.

The second key is to MAKE A GAME PLAN. Our mom is a little more intense about this and had her route through the store mapped out. I just knew I wanted to first grab the Vera Bradley diaper bag, and that I wanted to hit the shoes pretty quickly.

The third key is to be there RIGHT WHEN THEY OPEN. And to be at the door closest to the first item you want to nab. This time we all wanted purses, so we were at that door. You really only have to stand outside the door for 5 minutes or so and then when they open the doors--run!

Jessica waiting for the opening. 

The third key is to BRING SHERPAS.  You always want to bring along someone who can carry items and stand in line for you. Jessica and I both needed our husbands to watch our kids at home, but my dad was happy to help us. My mom even brought my empty baby stroller to load things into so that we could grab more without having to stop. Jessica and I made fun of her until we found it very useful. At one point the stroller couldn't fit one more thing and all of our arms were full.

Mom and dad waiting with the stroller. She was up for hours in the night because she was so excited for the sale.

The next key is to SHOP IN SHIFTS. First, we grab what we know we want because we had a plan. After that is bought and put in the car, we can go back and browse a little more. This is where I picked up jewelry and some shirts for my husband. 

Our haul.

The final key is a really exciting one for my sister and I. When you get home CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS.

Jessica spent $120 for $450 worth of merchandise for a spending of 27% of the original cost. I don't remember everything she bought, but I know it included a Fossil purse, a Vera Bradley bag, shoes, and a few shirts for her husband. 

I spent $322 for $1091 of merchandise for a spending of 29% of the original cost. I got some new cookware (reg $200 for $50), a Vera Bradley diaper bag (reg. $118 for $41), a Fossil bag (reg $98 for 16), two pairs of shoes for the boys, a beautiful pair of shoes for myself, lots of baby clothes and little boy shirts, some jewelry, and some shirts for my husband. 

I'm not sure what my mom's cost and savings amount to, but she got a beautiful comforter for her bed, some purses, sheets, and great shoes. 

So now you know. . .not only how ridiculous we are about shopping, but also how to be as successful as us on your next trip to Dilliards' on New Year's Day. Happy shopping!