On Sunday, I pushed the button to turn the lights on my Christmas tree, as I’ve done every evening since early December, and this time the middle third of it was dark. At that point, there was no way I was heading out to a crowded store for a new strand of lights. The 2012 tree will just have to go down in family history as the one with the dark middle.

Instead, I’ll be shopping for lights for my 2013 tree in the next couple of days, when Christmas items are on sale. Maybe I won’t be able to find the ones I want left on any shelves, but at least I’m going to look while the sales are on.

One place I’ll probably stop this year is the local Christmas Tree Shops store and not just because of its name. I received an e-mail from the chain saying selected gift wrap, ornaments, tree skirts, toppers, wreaths, baskets, decor and more will be 50 percent off starting today. Plus I received a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $40 or more.

Last year, I swung by a Dollar Tree, where everything is normally a dollar, and found ornaments, children’s books and holiday containers for 50 cents.

A couple years ago, I found NFL ornaments at a greatly reduced price at a Kmart.

Do you have any places you like to shop for post-Christmas bargains?