Christmas Shopping Tips
Guest post by Nicki Cawood, Mum of two boys, freelance writer & blogger and budding frugalista!
Yes I said the c-word, and in May too. Despicable! Why on earth would I post about Xmas so early in the year? Well, because Christmas shopping and saving for me, starts in January! We have a large family and Christmas is a big deal for us. I like to get people something special as a gift but don?t want our everyday household budget to suffer for it! Here are a few things to consider to help spread the cost and the strain of Christmas throughout the year.
Be organised!
I have a terrible memory so I always carry a notepad and pen in my handbag. My pad has a dedicated section for Xmas, a simple system where everyone?s name is written down, and what we got them last year. This means if I am out and about and spot an unbeatable bargain, I can consult my notepad and check 1) If I already have something for the person in mind and 2) it?s not too similar to what I got hem last year (variety is the spice of life and all that).
Sales
These can be false economy. A lot of things in store over Christmas can be overpriced, therefore when they are knocked down in the sale you aren?t really getting that much of a bargain, so make sure that if you go sale hunting that you really weigh up the worth and price of the item before getting your purse out. One gem for bargain for me has been the Boots sale. Over the years I have picked up some terrific gift sets for less than 25% of the original sale price. These are great to put aside for December but remember, if buying Xmas chocolates, sweets and even toiletries and cosmetics, these have a best before date, so check they will be in date and not too close to expiry come Christmas day. In addition, consider where you will store that cute mug with the marshmallows that you don?t want to melt.
Bag a real bargain
Online shopping has saved me an absolute fortune over the past few years! Taking advantage of end of season sales, money off promotions and free delivery periods has cut the price of my shopping considerably! Some amazing bargains can be found by browsing the well known MoneySavingExpert site, and by signing up for the weekly newsletter, you won?t miss any short-dated special offers.
Saving the pennies
I flatly refuse to do Christmas on credit! I love the festive season, the lights, the music, the fun with the kids…. worrying about paying off ?the big day? does not feature into my plans! I do a few things through the year to help pay for Christmas.
Saving Schemes
Most supermarkets have schemes where you can buy stamps and save them up, usually ?50 per card. By buying 2 stamps a week you can really take the edge off your big Christmas food shop or, if like us, you are with family for Xmas dinner, you can use this for normal shopping to free up cash for shopping elsewhere, or for other instore trimmings & gifts.
Loyalty / reward schemes
Using Clubcard points (Tesco) and exchanging them is a great way to buy gifts from Tesco Direct, we bought loads of games and jigsaws using our vouchers last year and didn?t spend any ?real? money. I was most impressed. Our vouchers so far this year will go toward Thomasland/Drayton Manor in August, but after that they will remain untouched! If I remember correctly you can rejoin the Christmas savers club anytime through the year so I will probably do that after the next mailing. You can also ?top up? your Clubcard at the till, but the cash top ups can?t be included in any voucher double up promotions (etc). There are many other schemes out there such as the Boots? Advantage card, Nectar card etc so be savvy with your shopping and make sure you get the best return.
Old fashioned saving!
Use a terramundi (sealed jar or pot) and empty your purse of change at the end of the week, you?d be surprised how quickly those ?1 and 20p coins add up!
Use Independent Traders!
A biggie for me, as well as being a great way to source unusual items, using small businesses, online and off not only saves money (how much extra do you spend in a department store just adding to your basket because it?s ?there?) but supports the backbone of our economy and can be a much more enjoyable experience!
These are just a few things to consider when planning and executing missing Christmas. It?s all in the organisation, but you can also feel a sense of achievement, knowing you?ve got everyone some lovely & well thought out gifts, without breaking the bank!
You have got me all in the Christmas spirit
fab idea’s here and ones I am going to try and use, now where to find a terramundi 
I already do some of these and will take on board the new ones. I love the idea of the list which is something I will definately do.
As well as Christmas though some of these tips are great for buying decent party gifts to store away ready for any birthday parties that the children get invited to over the course of the year.
I love terramundi’s, they hold so much more money than you think!
The Christmas spirit alive and well in May
It really does pay to spread the cost and the work throughout the year, especially for anyone who is in retail and is extra busy over the festive season.
As for terramundi’s – they hold loads! You are supposed to smash then open at the end of the year but I’m too tight lol, it would mean paying out for a new one. Instead I use a butter knife and my well of patience to get everything out!