Bargain Hunting and Christmas Shopping

There is always a twinge of panic that goes through my veins when I think of Christmas !

Year after year I have the same worry ...... Will I be able to give everyone something nice and not send myself into serious debt. Over the years I have learnt that the best way to tackle Christmas with 4 children and lots of family and friends is to start nice and early.

Christmas was always a huge worry for me until I worked out a way to get some fab gifts that people love without spending a small fortune, so I thought I would share my top tips to making the most of your money and getting some pretty wonderful gifts. Not everything will suit you and your budget or means of shopping but there are ideas for all tastes, budgets and situations.  

 

Kaylas top Christmas tips. 

1) write a list of who you wish to buy for and set a budget for each person and then total everything up and make sure you can afford to spend that amount comfortably! ( people would hate to think that you have struggled to give them a gift) 

2) start your Christmas gift shopping as early as possible I started my Christmas shopping in August this year but have started in January most years. 

3) try to decide on a few gift ideas for each person before you start shopping it will help you budget your time better too 

4) try to avoid impulse purchases most of the time they work out more expensive 

5) do your research don't just buy something in the 1st shop you see it check to see if other shops sell the same item they may have an offer on it or you may be able to find it online cheaper. 

I also highly recommend joining sites like groupon or wowcher as they can do some fab offers as well. 

6) use sites like EBay if you have enough time ordering from places like China can save you £££'s watch out for shipping charges etc though but all purchases are covered by ebay and paypals payment protection system. Delivery however can take up to 30 days but most arrive in the UK within 15 days or so.

7) check out shops like poundland ,99p stores, wilkinsons and the range as they all do many items for £1 or less which would make fantastic gifts for stocking fillers, children's school friends, distant relations etc etc watch out for 3 for 2 and BOGOF offers even in places like poundland as they often run these on items across the store. 

8) go along to school fayres, craft fayres, psychic fairs to find fun unusual gifts for all the family most of which are hand made or cheaper than high street shops. 

9) if you are looking for for personalised or handmade items you have several options 

a) ask your friends if they know anyone personal recommendations are often a good way to find someone that can do what you want

b) check out some of the fab traders on Facebook many have pages which will give you contact details as well as photographs of work they have done

c) if you are a crafter you may know other crafters why not ask if they would be interested in doing a skills/item swap as nobody can do or has the time to do everything.

d) don't be afraid to ask crafters if they would set you up a payment plan for your items allowing you to pay for bits weekly or monthly but please don't expect to get the item before full payment for it has been made/collected.

10) if you can bake / cook why not make some cookies,cakes or sweets and put in pretty boxes or bags for friends a cheap, but thoughtful gift. 

11) Christmas food this is always a big thing for most people treats we avoid normally and entertaining people as well as the lavish Christmas lunch we all enjoy but it it can work out expensive. What I have been doing for the last few years is starting to collect all those treats in 1 or 2 items a week from Septembebr ( remember to check the best before dates etc. ) and popping it in a box ready for Christmas that way I have built myself a hamper come Christmas. Another great thing you can do starting at just £1 a week from January is put money on store gift card if you start the 1st week of January you will have approx £50 ready for Christmas put £2 a week on the card that's approx £100. Another thing I do is collect my nectar points from sainsbury's as that is where I do my shopping as well as collecting bonus points when I get fuel and shop on eBay tesco also do club card points and you can collect and save those towards Christmas in a way it is saving money for you without you having to think about it. 

12) Christmas decorations ... Now this is something I truly love and being a massive fan of Christmas I can't help but go way over the top I have so many colour schemes that I have brought/ made over the years which I keep ready to be used year over year and this is my top tips for making sure you can have the decorations you want on a budget.

a) January sales is the best time to pick up Christmas decorations as everything is reduced grab any colours you like as you don't know what colour scheme you are going to want come Christmas. 

b) check out all the freecycle sites and there are many on facebook and papers as many people get rid of unwanted decorations and trees during the year

c)get your children nieces nephews round and make decorations yourself its super easy and lots of fun

d) visit school Christmas fairs they often sell Christmas decoration the children make really cheap and you are helping a good cause at  the same time
e) check out charity shops as many people donate unwanted decorations and such to them and they also do ranges that they have sourced as well and again the money you spend is going towards a good cause.

f) Bootfairs they are a great way to grab a bargain but don't forget to haggle if you think the price is too high I think that haggling with them is all part of the fun.

g) ebay and ebid auctions and the many other sites like them are also fantastic for a bargain.

h) ask friends and family if they are getting rid of any unwanted decorations to let you have a look as you may be able to use them or revamp them for use. 

 

Finally watch out for bargains where ever you go as you can pick stuff up in the most unlikely of places

 

I will also be posting some tutorials on how to make your own Christmas decorations and how to revamp ones that are looking tatty

 

much love Kayla x