Published: 22/10/2021
If October sounds too early to shop early for Christmas, think again. Putting off buying presents until nearer the big day means you’ll likely spend more than you need or want to, making an already pricey month cost even more.
Here are four reasons why you should start buying you Christmas gifts now – there are others.
December is always one of the most expensive months of the year for many of us, with Christmas presents forming a large chunk of it.
If you start to pay for those gifts now and through October you should be in a better place to avoid nasty overdraft or credit card fees that could come from spending it all in December.
Of course, it helps to know how much you can afford to spend first, so use our Christmas money planner to work out your festive budget.
Use a Christmas money planner.
You can seek the perfect present (and the best prices)
Sometimes you know exactly what you want to buy someone, other times you don’t.
By starting your shopping now you’ve more time to find a decent gift within your budget. Even better you can also shop around for the best price.
If you’re worried something might be cheaper in the Black Friday or other pre-Christmas sales, simply find out what the return policy is before you buy.
Most shops will offer a 30-day window for you to get a refund, though they don’t have to. Buy online and you legally have 14 days to return anything.
Be a smarter shopper with these tips
In December the shops will be busier, stock could be low and prices often higher if you leave your gift buying until then. Likely, it’s possible you’ll end up spending more than you planned. So, avoid the last-minute buying.
Worse, there’s the chance you’ll panic buy something expensive the recipient probably doesn’t even want just so you’ve something to give. That’s a waste of money however you look at it.
More of us are shopping online rather than on the high street, and this often comes with extra charges for delivery. But, there are some tips to avoid those charges.
Many retailers will offer you free shipping if you spend a certain amount, the later you leave it to order, the less likely you’ll be able to take advantage of this. You might even have to pay more to guarantee delivery by a certain date.
Over the last few years some shops have been unable to manage the demand, especially after big sales like Black Friday, meaning you might not even get your gifts before Christmas.
Last updated: 27/09/2022