It’s only one week left until Christmas, and yet many of us still haven’t started our Christmas shopping! The more we postpone it, the less appealing it seems to become. The shops get busier, traffic jams become frequent and the almighty can’t be “bothered” with us. Sigh.
Christmas shopping is a necessity that comes around every year, but we never seem to learn from our mistakes and continue to leave it until the last minute. If you’re like us and you waited until the last minute, here are some of our top money-saving tips to help you out this festive season.
Shop Around
Whether you’re looking to surprise someone with something special like tickets for Hamilton in New York City from Cheapoticketing.com, or you’re just planning on buying fun Christmas sweaters this year – always look for a bargain. If you’ve found the perfect gift but think it’s a little pricy, then shop around and see if you can find it elsewhere for a lower price.
Only by shopping around and doing your research will you find where’s the cheapest place to go for and find what you’re looking for. The first item you come across isn’t necessarily going to be the most affordable, so dig a little deeper for the right deals. Think outside of the box when it comes to shopping for Christmas presents, and you’ll be surprised how much healthier your bank account looks.
But don’t just stop at buying presents– do some Christmas food shopping too. People get into the habit of going to the same supermarket over and over again. Likewise, people believe that a higher price means higher quality, which isn’t necessarily the truth. Cheapest supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl have been proven to come out top in many of the UK charts, both for Christmas specials and everyday purchases.
Why don`t you try buying your food somewhere else this year? Christmas dinner will taste better if you’ve still got money in your pocket!
Go Online
Another great way of saving money on your shopping is by doing it online.
The 25th is getting close, and you should be meticulous in checking the delivery terms and conditions when ordering online. The last thing you want is your goods not arriving in time for the big day!
You do still have time – so start browsing ASAP! You may have technically missed the events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but most websites still have good deals and special offers available.
One of the main reasons why shopping online ends up being cheaper is because you’re less likely to add something you don`t need. Marketing specialists know how to arrange shopping floors to make it more tempting for you to pick up extras – so get rid of the temptation altogether by browsing online.
Did you know that you’re also far more likely to find good deals on the internet? That’s right; almost all of the best deals are reserved entirely for online customers. When it comes to sales, there is always more stock online.
Another plus of online shopping is that you don’t even have to leave the house. You can do the big Christmas shopping from the comfort of your sofa, with a Baileys in hand and a Christmas film on the TV. Perfect.
Go Homemade
Finally, why not go homemade this year?
The beauty of homemade gifts is not only are they cheaper, but they tend to be far more thoughtful too.
If you have a specific skill or hobby, why not utilize it? You could bake cookies using someone’s favorite flavors, or knit them a hat and scarf in the color they love the most. Use your creative flair and give someone something truly unique this Christmas.
Above everything else, remember what Christmas is really about. In the end, it’s not the gifts you remember the most, nor is it how fantastic the food was. The most important thing is to have a happy and peaceful day, with the people you love the most. Those are the memories you’ll look back on fondly.