I'm probably the most organised person I know, this is key to sorting your gift shopping right out. I’m not going to tell you what to buy, but how to buy. Shopping for gifts can either be fun and exciting or a drain, but I promise it’ll be so much easier after following these easy steps; you'll have more time, more money and less stress!
1. Start
early
Theres nothing worse than being caught out and leaving things until the last minute – you have no idea what to buy or the item you want is out of stock, do not fall into this trap!
Start shopping a few months prior to the upcoming event, it may seem too early but at least you’re sorted and don’t need to rush around last minute. As well as being organised, this also helps with the money side of things; if you’re buying a few things then it spreads the cost across a few weeks, if you’re buying just one thing, by the time the event comes round you don’t need to spend any money on it because you spent that money weeks ago.
Theres nothing worse than being caught out and leaving things until the last minute – you have no idea what to buy or the item you want is out of stock, do not fall into this trap!
Start shopping a few months prior to the upcoming event, it may seem too early but at least you’re sorted and don’t need to rush around last minute. As well as being organised, this also helps with the money side of things; if you’re buying a few things then it spreads the cost across a few weeks, if you’re buying just one thing, by the time the event comes round you don’t need to spend any money on it because you spent that money weeks ago.
2. Make
lists
Make a note of the people you have to buy
for, the dates (if you don’t remember them easily), what you’ve bought them and
the cost and any ideas you’ve got in the pipeline. I promise this will be a godsend
when you’re trying to weigh up whether you need to add any extras on for
anyone!
3. Shop in the sales
Honestly, it isn’t cheap to do this, its just plain savvy! Whether this is the Boxing Day/January sales or general sales on throughout the year, its totally worth it. I personally like to shop for as many birthdays for the upcoming year as I can in the Boxing Day sales, sometimes I even buy presents for next Christmas! I know, I seem crazy, but its worth it, especially if there’s a standard little gift you know you’re always going to buy someone, like slippers, make-up sets or socks – things that have long, or no, sell or use by dates and things that are a tonne cheaper than they were a week before you started shopping and eleven months before you need to buy them again.
4. Use
cashbacks sites
I won’t lie, I haven’t done this too much,
but it is a great concept. You can’t always use it but if you can then why
not?! You spend money and you get some back, it’s a win-win, surely?
5. Make
your own gifts
I understand, not everyone is great with
DIY projects but there are some that everyone
can easily do. I like to do these for more personal events rather than big
ones like Christmas, like Valentines Day, anniversaries or graduations, things
like that. These are completely unique, personal to the recipient and often
cheaper. Even if you did some homemade baking - I just made my sister the best mega-chocolate cake I've ever made and it was fantastic (if I do say so myself...).
6. Give
experience
Rather than wasting money on something
anyone could buy, why not get them tickets to a show they’ve been dying to see,
or take them segwaying or an experience with their favourite animal, something
they’ve been wanting to try but never got round to sorting themselves.
Experiences and memories stay with people much longer than a piece of clothing.
7. Shop
around
This one goes without saying, but always shop around and find the best
price. Unless an item is limited to just one place to buy it, take the time to
have a look around and see what places are doing a deal, or even where you can
find a voucher or discount code.
8. Buy
in bulk
Think ahead and bear in mind any other
events you have coming up. You can save on delivery if you’re wanting to buy a
few things from one website. Often the delivery charges are taken off if you
spend over a certain amount.
9. Join
with others
Speak to other family members or friends to
see if they want to team up and get a present together, this way you save a bit
of money and/or can put in for something bigger and better, or more hands on deck to make a personal
gift for them. If you’re doing an experience rather than a present, there are
usually offers for larger parties.
10. Store your gifts
Box, basket, cupboard, general storage,
whatever, just make sure you have a place where you can store all the gifts
you’ve already got but make sure it isn’t somewhere that people will find them!
I have a small two-bed flat so its pretty hard for me to hide things, instead I
have a large box in the corner of our bedroom which Brad is under strict
instruction not to go in!
I hope this helps and makes your gift
shopping experience easier!
X
