By Rachel Wait
7/11/2022
Christmas Shopping – How to do it on the Sleek and Cheap?
Let’s face it, Christmas is expensive at the best of times. But when the cost of living is spiralling out of control, the thought of the upcoming festive season could be enough to make you want to hibernate. While our main Cost of Living Guide covers everything from rising energy prices to grocery bills and overall lifestyle expenses, Christmas shopping is another sum necessary to consider as the festive period approaches.
Find tips on saving money on Christmas shopping by utilising Black Friday deals in the run-up to Christmas, redeeming discount codes and cashback deals For the perfect present, why not consider grouping up with family and friends for bigger and better gift-giving or opting for the DIY approach to show just how much thought went into your creation? Even on a budget, Christmas can still be just as magical.
However, by starting to think about your Christmas shopping now, you’ll be able to plan ahead and cut costs, helping to alleviate the stress on your bank account. Here’s how to do it.
Shop smarter
Your first step should be to consider when to start your Christmas shopping. There’s no perfect date to do this, but generally, the sooner you start the better.If now feels too early, you might prefer to hold out for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to see if you can scoop up any Black Friday deals on Christmas gifts. This year, Black Friday falls on 25 November and Cyber Monday on 28 November. Traditionally, these were one-day events, but more recently, sales have started in the week or two beforehand.
However, if you’re planning to make use of these sales for your Christmas shopping, it’s vital to be prepared. Before the sales start, make a list of everything you’re looking for and aim to stick to this list so that you don’t go over budget. It’s also worth reading reviews in advance so that you know which brands offer the best quality.
On top of this, shop around to get an idea of prices elsewhere so that you can be sure you’re definitely getting a good deal before you buy anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If you’re shopping for beauty gifts, for example, check out Black Friday deals at merchants like LOOKFANTASTIC, as you may be able to find cheaper prices than when shopping direct.
My top tip for Christmas 2023: Although this article is focused on Christmas 2022, as soon as that’s over it’s worth thinking about Christmas 2023. You might not want to, but the January sales are often packed with brilliant discounts that could make next Christmas even cheaper. It can also make good financial sense to buy gifts as and when you see them throughout the year if they are at a bargain price. Just make sure you jot down what you’ve bought and how much you’ve spent so you don’t forget!
Look for discount codes and cashback
You don’t only need to hold out for the sales to make savings. There are often many fantastic discount codes available at your favourite retailers to ensure you never have to pay full price. A great place to start looking is right here at Savoo – and remember, we donate up to 50% of our commission to charity. On top of that, you can use cashback sites like TopCashback and Quidco to earn money back as you spend, and always use a price comparison checker before you buy anything. With Amazon, for example, you can use the site Camel Camel Camel to track the price of a particular item and see whether you’re getting a good deal. Meanwhile, PriceRunner compares prices at a wide variety of retailers.
Think outside the box
It’s not always easy to know what to buy for your family and friends. So rather than buying a number of smaller gifts that could be pretty useless to the recipient, consider teaming up with others to buy something bigger and a little different. Examples include booking tickets through Love Theatre or booking a Virgin Experience Day, Red Letter Day or through Buyagift. Experience days are also a fantastic option for the family and friends who already have it all. Don’t waste money on gifts they’ll never use, and treat them to new memories they can cherish instead. Alternatively, while it might seem a little dull, if your mum’s tumble dryer has recently broken down, for instance, you might just make her day by grouping together with other family members to buy her a brand new one for Christmas. Use sites like AO.com and Currys to look for the best deal, and buy a practical gift that’s sure to get plenty of use.
Do it yourself
You might feel a little nervous about making your own gifts, but there are plenty of fantastic options for DIY gifts that don’t look rubbish! After all, it’s the thought that counts.Depending on whether your skills lie in sewing, baking or crafting, examples include crocheted coasters, scented hand warmers, Christmas fudge boxes, food and drink hampers, Christmas candles, homemade bath bombs or hand crafted soaps. Take a look at sites like Pinterest for inspiration.
For affordable supplies, shop at retailers, such as The Works, Hobbycraft for crafty bits and bobs, and M&S, Hotel Chocolat or Laithwaites for delicious treats to include in your homemade hampers.
Finally, remember that if you really can’t afford to splash the cash on expensive gifts this Christmas, don’t. Christmas is also about spending time with your loved ones so make the most of it if you can. For even more tips on how to battle rising inflation and create effective budget plans throughout the festive season, get all the tips & tricks you need from our Cost of Living Guide.