For those who couldn’t wait to hit the Boxing Day sales after Christmas last year, you’re not alone A recent survey of 2,358 British adults by My Voucher Codes asked whether they would consider purchasing anything for next Christmas in boxing day sales the year before. A huge 44% said that they would, with the most popular buys being clothing (like festive jumpers) toys, gift wrap and cards, non-perishable gifts and decorations.
When asked why they would start so early, 70% of respondents said saving money was their primary reason, with 40% wanting to ensure they got the New Year off to an organised start, and 20% responding that they wanted to save time.
This article talks about the results from the survey, and also has some excellent money saving tips. One of the most important things to consider is that Boxing Day isn’t your only chance to get a good sale- so if the idea of fighting your way through crowds on the day after Christmas (when you’d really rather be relaxing) doesn’t sound at all appealing, rest assured that you have plenty of other opportunities. Throughout the year, you’ll find sales like Cyber Monday and Black Friday which can be a great option for those who want to get the majority of their shopping done before December.
And when it comes to spreading out the cost of Christmas, it seems like a no-brainer. For families on a fixed income, purchasing Christmas treats throughout the year is a way to ensure that you can have Christmas without feeling broke. It also allows you to find the perfect gifts as you see them- without all the pressure to find gifts for family and friends in the last few weeks before Christmas.
Stress is another great reason to get most of your Christmas shopping out of the way before the season actually arrives. When we’re small we can’t get enough of Christmas, but the older we get, the more stressful the holiday becomes- particularly if it’s your turn to host Christmas lunch or dinner. By choosing to get in early and spread your shopping out, you’ll be entering December feeling accomplished (and maybe a little smug) instead of frazzled and stressed out.
A good option for those who are looking to save money is to keep an eye out for vouchers or voucher codes throughout the year. Sign up for email newsletters from your favourite retailers and voucher companies, and you may find yourself getting incredible deals for your special someone.
For those who enjoy planning, you may even want to geek-out with a spreadsheet. Keep track of your close friends and family (and anyone else you need to buy a gift for) in a program like excel, and you can make note of any ideas you have so you know what to look out for. This allows you to keep track of who you’ve bought for, and how much you’ve spent, and is sure to leave you feeling like a pro at Christmas when your list is finished months earlier.
