It is coming! Christmas season is just around the corner! Are you ready?!
There is one thing I really try to avoid during the Yuletide season. Almost everybody is doing it, but it’s not really my cup of tea. What is it? Last minute shopping!
Hopping from one store to the next is just too tiring for me. So, a few years ago I vowed to shop stress-free. How did I do it? Let me share a few tips.
- Have a tight list – Create a concise list of individuals you wish to surprise with special gifts, whether it’s Coconut Wax Melts or showpieces, ensuring the list is carefully curated. While the desire to gift everyone is commendable, practicality is crucial, especially if you have budget constraints. Allocate your resources wisely and prioritize close family members and friends for meaningful gifts.
Remember, Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones and making them feel special. Therefore, it’s essential to manage your finances wisely to afford the gifts you want to give your loved ones. For example, if your husband is a big Chicago Bulls fan, plan ahead so you can afford to gift him either tickets to a match, Chicago Bulls caps or a jersey. Keep in mind that for acquaintances and colleagues, heartfelt greetings can suffice. It’s unnecessary to extend gifts to every neighbor, allowing you to focus on those who hold significant importance in your life. Take your time compiling the list, reviewing and refining it over a few days to ensure its completeness and relevance to your gifting intentions.
- Be Inquisitive – Give the selected few gifts they would really appreciate. Be Sherlock Holmes for a few days and investigate! Is there a book your best friend would love to get? Or, a kitchen gadget your mom would like to own? A special wine for your dad? Or maybe Contemporary wall art for your artistic sister? Make the season a little more special by giving presents people would like to have. Don’t just give generic stuff like towels. Remember, the key word here is SPECIAL.
- Take your time – A lot of folks start buying gifts two weeks before the big event. Following this style is challenging. It is best to give yourself a lot of time to plan, list and purchase. One month head start is not bad. Start the list and beside the name write what you plan to give the person. If you are not sure what to give, begin ‘investigating’ what they want for a present. Moreover, start surfing for companies giving discount or voucher codes all year round.
- Use discount codes – If money is a bit tight, make sure you use discount codes or voucher codes. Some companies really give nice discounts for different items like wine, kitchen accessories and a lot more. Are you a first time shopper? The Waitrose voucher codes guarantee 30 discount when you reach 100 purchase! Moreover, Waitrose also give extra discount codes on your second, third, fourth and fifth shopping spree! Christmas shopping does not have to gobble down all your money! Be wise and use discount codes when you can.
That’s it, four simple saving tips for this Christmas season. If you want a hassle-free holiday, start listing today. Making your niece, four-year-old Mary, cry because you forgot about her can really destroy the mood of a great season, right? So, why wait? Do the list now!