Ok guys and gals, don’t hate me, but I have already bought 4 Christmas presents, and it’s only mid-October. I know, I am a picture of organisation and togetherness, the Queen of Christmas shopping 💁♀️👸
The thing is, aside from feeling smug about it, there are some major benefits to getting the gifts in early.
When December rolls around and everyone else is scrambling for gifts (and probably paying over the odds for them too), I am sitting back with a hot chocolate and warming my Christmas sock covered feet by the fire. I might have one or two bits still to get, but 90% of my present buying is done.
I buy Christmas presents early every year, I have done ever since the kids came along, and I want to explain why you should too.
It’s Cheaper!
Yes, it is, and I won’t let anybody tell me otherwise.
TopCashBack did a survey of their customers and found that people who buy Christmas gifts early save an estimated £120 compared to those who wait until December. What’s more, MoneySavingExpert found that many items were cheaper during sales such as Black Friday in November than they were in the final few weeks before the big day. So anyone deliberately leaving it late in the hope of price drops should think again.
It’s not just the sales, though. Retailers aren’t daft. They all inflate prices around Christmas. Maybe not on everything, but it definitely happens. Plus, if you know what you are going to buy someone in September, you’ve got 3 months to monitor the price of it, so you know what’s value and what’s not.
Then there is the benefit of spreading the cost. How much do you spend at Christmas? £500? £1,000? That’s a big old chunk of cash to blow in a single month, but spread it across 3 or 4 months and it’s much less noticeable.
It’s No Pressure
In my younger days I was a last minute Linda. I would spend the first half of December stressing about not having bought anything yet, then I would spend the second half frantically tearing around London in my lunch hour or after work buying things on impulse. No thought, no plan, but loads of pressure.
I didn’t get to enjoy the build up to Christmas in the same way that I do now. Honestly, Christmas is ten times more magical when you can just relax into it.
Ever since I started buying Christmas presents early, the whole season changed for me. Now, I spend December experiencing the festive season, not being overwhelmed by it. We go to the Christmas markets, we go to light shows and pantomimes, we are even going to Lapland, Manchester this year – don’t tell my kids! I’ll update you on that in December.
The point is, the build up to Christmas is packed with magical amazing things to do and experience, and being released of the burden of Christmas shopping means I can take part in it all without worrying about money or who I still have to buy for.
Better Gifts
Since I have had more time to think of what to buy everyone, the gifts I get them are always better. By that I mean more well received. I have time to change my mind, ask subtle questions that help me pick the perfect gift idea, and even do a bit of hands on research if I have reservations about the quality of an item.
I never make purchases on impulse or out of desperation either, which saves me money as well as ensuring I don’t buy rubbish presents.
This is better for the person getting the gift, but it also makes me feel better about giving the gift in the first place. I am genuinely excited to see my Dad’s face when he opens the belt I bought him, for example. It’s an exact match of one he had when he was in his 20s. I’ve seen photos of him wearing it – a quality Wrangler belt with an oversized buckler (he’s always been a bit of a cowboy). I would never have thought of that during a last minute panic, and it beats the hell out of awkwardly crossing my fingers as he unwraps some panic bought Jeremy Clarkson book.
I feel like this has made me better at gifting in general, too. Practicing the art of thoughtful gift buying is like exercising a muscle, your skills and instincts improve the more you do it.
Here’s How I Do It: My Plan
It’s not like I have this in a spreadsheet or anything (honestly, I don’t), but broadly, this is how I handle Christmas shopping:
- Summer Holidays/August – The ideas stage. I start putting together a list of who I am buying for and what I might get them. Very loose at this stage.
- September and October – Start making final decisions on larger gifts, and start buying smaller gifts and stocking fillers. I also set up price alerts for really big ticket items if there are any.
- November – This is when I pounce. Black Friday can be great but make sure you have been checking prices if you are buying something big. It’s not always cheaper on Black Friday.
- December – Aaaand relax ☺️ I might have to return or swap something, or pick up one or two extra bits, but December is mostly for fun.
I probably spend the most money in November, but those small gifts add up too, so having them paid for in September and October is a big help. It also clears brain space so I can focus on getting the best prices for the more expensive gifts.
Oh, and keep receipts! You might want to change your mind occasionally.
Be Wary of Children Changing Their Minds
I will end with this warning: be wary of kids changing their minds about presents the closer they get to Christmas Day.
Kids are notoriously flaky. One day they love Hot Wheels, the next day they are bored of cars altogether and only want to play with dinosaurs. Any parent knows exactly what I am talking about.
That means you have to be careful buying early Christmas presents for kids. You have to take this on a case by case basis, because you know your children better than anyone else, but maybe don’t drop £80 on something that might be a phase that is over by late November.
I blame all of those toy commercials that absolutely explode all over the TV in December. Don’t these advertising executives know I buy my Christmas presents early every year!? 🎄🤶