Are you that last person rushing around the shops in the days before Christmas? Panicking because you don’t know what to buy and stressed because it’s so busy? Or maybe you just don’t really like shopping in general. Whatever the reason for you reading this, I have put together my favourite ways to ensure Christmas shopping is stress-free and strategically planned.
These tips helped me complete the majority of my Christmas shopping in one day and all online. If you are trying to stick to a budget, keeping your shopping minimalistic or just don’t enjoy shopping. This guide is really going to help you get through this festive season. It shouldn’t be a stressful time so make yourself a plan!
How To Make Christmas Shopping Stress Free
1. Write down everyone you are buying for
To help you start making a plan for your shopping you need to be clear on who it is you are actually buying for. Once you have written it down – you won’t end up getting carried away by buying gifts for people you don’t necessarily need to.
2. Set a budget
This is going to be different for everyone. Setting a budget is going to help stop you overspending. It doesn’t just have to mean that you only have a little to spend, it’s to stop you getting carried away. Also, try not to use your credit cards to get Christmas presents. You don’t want to go into the new year with money you have to pay back, January is a long enough month as it is. Just think, if you have to use your credit card can you actually afford it? Next year, start thinking a few months before Christmas how much you will need to buy all your gifts.
3. Write down gift ideas for each person
If you are struggling to think of gift ideas, make a list of the brief type of gift you will buy them. Then use this list to start browsing. Now that you have a product idea and a budget you can start finding the gifts in your criteria.
4. What’s your favourite way to shop?
If you enjoy going and shopping in a physical store, I recommend you do it. I personally don’t really enjoy being out in the crowds, trying to find lots of gifts. If you are the same, internet shopping is really going to help make your shopping experience stress free. You can browse lots of products and filter by budget. Chances are you will find things that aren’t in stores.
5. Benefits of online shopping
Not only is there a huge product range and no crowds to push through. Online shopping enables you to find the best prices. Shop around different retailers and see who has the best price. Don’t forget to search for a voucher code before you complete your purchase.
6. Write down what you have bought
Just like setting a budget, writing what you have bought for people is really going to help stop you going overboard. I found this extremely helpful when I was browsing several sites at the same time. I wanted to order as much in one go to save delivery charges. It is also good to see your list getting smaller.
7. Once you have finished – stop buying!
Its so easy to keep seeing more gifts for people, but if you have bought them their gifts already don’t buy more. You think it’s just a little something here and there but before you know it you have gone way over budget.
If you are in a position where you don’t really have to worry about how much you are spending or buying. Lucky you! It’s so nice to be able to get your loved ones anything you think they will like. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how much you spend, you can still get a really thoughtful gift when on a budget. What’s most important is that you spend time with your loved ones at Christmas and really enjoy the moment.
Do you have a strategy for your Christmas shopping? Do you enjoy going to the shops or do you prefer to buy things online?
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8 Comments
Love this blog post – your tips are so helpful, I think this is going to help a lot of people out during the festive season ?✨
With love, Alisha Valerie x
Thank you so much Alisha! I hope it helps people, it made my experience so much easier this year, usually i’m walking around for hours panicking haha! xx
I love these tips to make Christmas shopping easier!! YES on writing down who we need to buy gifts for. When I was at the shop, I forgot everyone’s name on the wishlist @__@. Online shopping has so many blessings – forget waiting in line!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I just cannot deal with busy shopping centres when its busy! especially when you genuinely don’t know what you are getting for someone and are trying to browse. It’s so simple but writing down everyone stops you from going overboard and you know where you are up to with your shopping xx
This is such a helpful post! I’m so unorganised when it comes to buying gifts because I get a little too excited so writing up lists is such a simple but effective tip!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Writing it down literally changed the game for me this year – usually, I’m running around the shops get stressed out because I forget who I have already bought for. It’s so simple but can really help! Especially if you are a visual person and need things written in front of you to be organised. Making a list will speed up your time out at the shops or make your online purchases very easy! Thank you so much for reading Sophie xx
These are great tips! I’m awful at Christmas shopping. I always leave it late because I can never decide what to buy then I accidentally get distracted buying things for myself (oops). I always write a list and it really helps! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Without a doubt, the thing I’m worst at is keeping to a budget – I’m so good for everything else, but when it comes to present shopping I’m awful! ? I have been really good this year though and made a list on the notes in my phone, so I’ve kept track more than I did last year.. ?
Andi | http://www.andthenzen.co.uk ✨