How to get your Christmas shopping done early

How did your Christmas shopping go last year? Enjoyable? Bearable? Or stressful beyond belief? Many of us are guilty of leaving it until the very last minute, when the pressure is on and the shops are at their busiest. This year, why not try a different approach?

If you want to get your shopping done early, here are some pointers.

Make your list and check it twice

Hey, it works for Santa Claus. Sit down and decide who you want to buy presents for. Has anyone been particularly naughty or nice in 2019? Is there a new person in your life deserving of a gift?

Budget

Buying presents for friends, family and partners can be expensive business. It’s always a good idea to figure out how much you can afford to spend before you start spending. When you know your budget, it’s much easier to pick out the right gift for the right person.

Plan

If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Go through your list of recipients and try to think of the ideal gift for them this Christmas. Keep your budget in mind, though; your dad might love a new set of golf clubs but if it’s not within in your budget, you may have to think of something else.

Deadline

This is perhaps one of the most important steps when it comes to getting your Christmas shopping done early. If you really don’t want to be rushing around town on Christmas Eve, it’s crucial that you set yourself a strict deadline. It might be a good idea to settle on a date that’s a nice bit before December 25, perhaps even in early December, so that you can get all of your shopping done while the stores are still relatively quiet.

Find a hiding place

Don’t ruin the surprise! Finding the right place to hide your presents is really important, especially if you have inquisitive little kids rummaging around the house. Try to hide the gifts in a place where they’re unlikely to be unearthed (either accidentally or on purpose). That’s the one downside of buying your gifts early: you have keep them a secret that bit longer!

We hope you found these tips helpful and that your Christmas shopping goes as smoothly as possible.

And if you’re looking to save some extra cash ahead of the holiday season, get a Quick Quote on your car, van or home insurance at GMIB.ie. It takes just 60 seconds and you could end up saving a pretty penny.

All the best,

The Team at GMIB.ie