Tips for Your Christmas Shopping You’ll Wish You Knew Yesterday
In our eyes, the festive season is the most wonderful time of the year. But, let’s face it – Christmas shopping is stressful. If you’re wondering how to make the buying process easier, then our Christmas shopping tips are exactly what you need.
Buying presents for the people you love is so special, but it all takes a lot of time and effort. Every year, no matter how organised you try to be, you find yourself panic buying last-minute.
There’s so much to buy when shopping for the holidays, from the festive decor to the food, to presents for each family member, and not forgetting the new next-door neighbour that you’re trying hard to befriend.
With shops rolling out their Christmas products as early as September, there’s no excuse not to be prepared this year and eliminate the stress out of the festive season.
And perhaps we could even go as far as to say, that you’ll enjoy the preparations for once. Too far?
Luckily we’re here to help.
To help you prepare for the holiday season early, and avoid any unwanted stress, here at Open for Christmas, we’ve rounded up our best tips for your Christmas shopping.
For more help with your Christmas preparations this year, take a look at our money saving hacks, and tips on how to have a stress-free Christmas.
11 Christmas Shopping Tips
1. Make a Budget
Overspending is too easy at Christmas, so making a firm budget before you hit the shops is a must.
Once you have your budget, allocate what you can spend on food, decor, gifts, cards and wrapping. Then, take it one step further and set your budget towards each person.
Keep track of your spending with a spreadsheet or Christmas budget app (Christmas Gift List Tracker). Or use our Ultimate Christmas Organiser to help with your budgeting and A-Z festive planning.
2. Write a List
Here at Open for Christmas, we believe that a list is essential. Prior to beginning your Christmas shopping, write a list of everything you need to buy before the big day, and who you need to source a gift for. Don’t forget to include your budget per person.
Include everything on your list such as:
- Decorations
- Crackers
- Napkins and decor for the table
- Wrapping paper
- Cards
- Gift tags and ribbon
- Gifts
- Stocking fillers
- Secret Santa gifts
The list can get long very fast, but taking everything out of your head and onto paper will save you from forgetting any little things.
If you’re struggling for gift ideas, get some help and ask your loved ones to write a wish list. Use our Open for Christmas wish lists below – just subscribe to our Resource Library to get your FREE printables (link at the end of the article).
3. Get Ideas on Pinterest and Social Media
Before you begin your shopping haul, get ideas and inspiration to find what you’re looking for.
You don’t have time to waste endlessly looking for presents and festive decorations.
Instead, do your research, and find exactly what you’re looking for. Pinterest and Social Media (Instagram and Facebook) are amazing platforms for festive inspiration.
Don’t forget to check out our gifts and decor guides here on Open for Christmas too!
4. Keep Track of Your Shopping
What goes hand in hand with writing a list and setting a budget? Keeping track of your shopping. It’s so easy to buy gifts, wrap them up and forget what you’ve bought, and who you’ve bought for.
Keep things simple. As soon as you’ve bought your gift, or item, tick it off your list or make a note.
Use our easy and simple graphic below to see our process for Christmas shopping. Having a strategy and plan for your shopping is our #1 tip for a stress free Christmas.
We highly recommended keeping all this information in a Christmas organiser to stay on top of your planning. Our holiday planner is perfect for this and we wouldn’t use anything else to stay organised in the run-up to the big day.
5. Wrap Presents As You Go
Does that last-minute wrapping of 100 presents ring any bells? Trust us when we say you’re not alone.
By wrapping gifts as and when you shop, you’ll save so much time and stress. Or, schedule a wrapping session every Sunday to stay up to date with gift wrapping.
6. Do Your Shopping Online
We’re all for supporting local shops and independent stores, but there are also so many benefits to shopping online.
You’re able to compare deals against multiple stores, there’s no queues or overcrowded shops and you can find exactly what you’re looking for much quicker. All of this whilst staying cosy in the comfort of your own home.
We suggest making a fun day out with friends way in advance of the Christmas season to shop at local and independent stores. Then, utilise online shopping for everything else on your list.
Delivery slots for supermarkets can fill up very quickly, so ensure you get your slot booked in advance.
However, if you’re unable to snap up a slot close to Christmas, book one as close as you can for all of the drinks, cupboard items, snacks and treats. Then, buy your fresh produce a couple of days before Christmas.
| Tip: Don’t forget your Christmas turkey! To get the freshest possible turkey, nothing beats locally-sourced. You can reserve your bird in advance and collect it a couple of days before Christmas. |
7. Start Shopping as Early as Possible
If there’s one tip you take away from this list, let it be this one. You simply can’t put a price on getting organised and planning ahead.
As you’re watching TV in the evening, do some online shopping on your phone. Or, when you’re out and about, keep a lookout for stocking fillers and gifts that catch your eye.
The future you will thank you immensely.
8. Keep Your Eye Out For Sales
Sales are an amazing way to save some money and stick to that good old budget.
Take advantage of sales events such as Black Friday (usually the last Friday in November) and Cyber Money (the following Monday after Black Friday). But, first ensure that you are getting the best deal.
For example, some retailers put prices up prior to sales so you feel like you’re getting a huge discount. But in reality, you’re barely saving any of your hard earned cash.
For any expensive gifts you’ve got your eye on, check out the prices in advance of any sales and compare costs with other stores before you hit the shops to ensure you get the best deal.
Many retailers have promotions such as 3 for 2 and buy one get one free, which are great for stocking fillers and buying multiple gifts. But, don’t just buy presents for the sake of the discounts. Check your gift list first.
And, call us crazy but some of the best deals can be snapped up in the post Christmas sales. A great excuse for some Boxing Day shopping!
9. Compare Prices
Once you’ve found the perfect gift, don’t buy it immediately. Compare prices in different stores to ensure you’ve bought your gift at the cheapest price.
Google shopping is great for comparing multiple stores at once.
Open up Google Shopping, type in what you’re looking for and sort the results by ‘Review Score’ to find the best-rated gift baskets for your search! You can also add price filters to match your budget.
10. Think Gift Baskets
Gifts baskets are a wonderful way to show your appreciation for a loved one, whilst helping you to save some pennies.
Customise each basket to suit each person, and fill with their favourite food and drink items. Or try a themed basket such as a hobby hamper (think crafting, gardening, cooking, music, baking, knitting etc.).
Take a look at some ideas for amazing Christmas gift baskets here.
11. Try Handmade Gifts
Don’t think that getting a gift for someone means spending a certain number.
Homemade gifts are totally underrated, yet so appreciated as they’re personal. If you have the time or have a secret skill, try your hand at making a DIY gift.
Handmade presents are also perfect for sticking to a tight budget. Just remember to factor in the cost of any materials as these can easily add up.
These days, you can find online tutorials on how to make just about anything. Check out these 9 homemade gifts in the tutorial below.
Or take a look at our 15 Easy & Unique Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas and Best Handmade Food Gifts for some ideas to help you get creative.
Our Final Thoughts on the Best Christmas Shopping Tips
It’s time to put the fun back into your Christmas shopping. And we hope these hacks have given you some inspiration on how to put the fun back into the run up to the big day.
These tips are so simple, but so effective, to help you get the best price possible and feel prepared to tackle the mammoth task of Christmas shopping this year.
Here at Open for Christmas, it’s our aim to get you feeling organised with your festive preparations and enoy a stress free Christmas.
With these Christmas shopping tips, you’ll be feeling like an expert holiday shopper this season.
Related Christmas Tips Articles:
- How To Have A Stress Free Christmas
- Best Money Saving Hacks You Need This Christmas
- The Only Christmas Organiser You’ll Ever Need
- Free Printable Christmas Checklist To Download Now
