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 – List all the names of the people you want to surprise with special gifts. Make sure the list is tight. Yes, it is nice to give everybody a present, but if your budget is limited you have to be wise. Using all your money just to please people is not a great idea. You don’t really need to give all your neighbours a gift, right? Close family members and friends will do. For acquaintances and office mates, a warm and sincere greeting is good enough. Remember, you don’t need to do the list in one seating. Take a few days to do it. Go over the list again and again and be sure it is complete.
- 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? 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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!