The holiday season can be the happiest time of year – the family is together, the table is heaped with delicious food and the Christmas tree is laden with gifts and decorations. While the company of your family and friends is priceless, you do need to be careful that you don’t break the bank when shopping for their gifts.
Here is a list of the best times of year to buy certain gifts so that next year you can enjoy the holiday with a fatter pocketbook and a heftier bank account balance.
Boxing Day – This may seem obvious, but the day after Christmas (and in fact, for most of the following weeks) is a spectacular time to find sales for next year. While you may not be able to predict the hot toy or favourite book that will be on next year’s wish lists, you can certainly stock up on wrapping paper, Christmas cards, decorations and stocking stuffers.
End of February/March – As the winter season wraps up, you can clean up on sales! Woolly mitts, knitted caps, cozy socks and other seasonal winter clothing will be discounted deeply – perfectly for next year’s pile of gifts.
Early October – While it may seem far too early and we collectively grumble each year, most stores begin to sell their Christmas goodies, chocolates and sweets at the beginning of Autumn. In order to drum up interest, they are often on for a special introductory price – grab all of your yummy sweets at this point.
Cyber Monday (late November) – The Monday after US Thanksgiving is often referred to “Cyber Monday” because of the fantastic online deals on electronics and consumer goods. This trend has recently come to the UK, and you can find great prices on gifts – here is a list of some upcoming sales in this country.
No later than December 1 – Make sure that you have ordered all of your online gifts (particularly if they are personalised or customised, like our bespoke photo crystal gifts) by the beginning of December – this will ensure that you don’t have to pay additional charges for rush delivery. (Remember to keep online food shopping dates in mind as well!)