Share
19th November 2018
04:50pm GMT
Take a deep breath. If you, like me, tend to leave everything until dangerously close to the Christmas Day deadline, here are some tips that can hopefully help us all (and if not this year, there is always next one...)
1. Be smart about post and packages
If you have family members or friends who live outside of Ireland, make sure you know the An Post deadlines for when things need to be posted to make it to its destination in time for the big day. December 10th is a good rule of thumb to have everything going abroad posted off by. Also, remember that the earlier you are when it comes to sending packages, the more cost effective it will be as you can opt for the non-express option of delivery.
To save money on packaging, reuse boxes that you have received deliveries in yourself. Write labels out clearly and with a waterproof marker. If you are ordering presents online to have delivered straight to whoever you are giving them to, be aware that some online retailers will offer free delivery on certain days in December, meaning you can save some money on your purchase.
2. Keep a Christmas gift notebook or folder
If you are really smart, you will take the time earlier in the autumn to get this done, as you can then pick up things for certain people as you see them, or when sales like Black Friday or Cyber Monday are on. Anyway, your notes should include the following:
A Master List: This is where you note down everyone you have to buy for and what you plan to give them. Make sure you include everyone, from your kids' teachers to the postman (if you get him something, that is!)
Gift ideas: This can be a running brainstorm or catalog tear-outs.
Budget list: Keep track of your budget and what you are actually spending. Nobody wants to start the new year in debt!
Receipts: Great if you decide to change something last minutes, or if someone ask you for this later, if they themselves need to change something you got the, be it that the size was wrong or that it was faulty.
A calendar: Keep tabs on when things might be on sale, and when you need to get this gift sent off by.
3. Let technology do the work for you
Taking advantage of the fact that pretty much everything can be bought online these days is a lifesaver coming up to Christmas. Use Pinterest for gift ideas, let courier companies or the actual retailers themselves deal with shipping, or download apps (like Evernote or The Christmas List) that will keep track of everything for you. Genius.
4. Make budgeting easy
What would be a smart thing to do, is trying to get into the habit of setting a little money aside through the year for December and Christmas, as we know it will be expensive (I don't know what I am surprised by the fact every flippin' year!).
Don't forget to add shipping cost and postage into your budget (even sending out Christmas cards to friends near and far will cost a bit).
Try to avoid (as much as possible) using you credit card, as that is just pushing your financial strain over into next month.
5. Shop smart
Use sales and seasonal deals to your advantage, and if you really want to get a head start on next year's Christmas, by wrapping papers and ribbons and cards when retailers mark them way down right after Christmas this year. Keep an eye out for online promotions and sales.
6. Create a designated write-and-wrap station in your house
To not have the chaos of presents and wrapping paper and ribbon take over your entire house (and never being able to find the tape dispenser when you need it), try to pick an area designated to this work for the month of December, and keep everything to do with this here. Also, to save on cost, ask shops for gift boxes when you purchase something, as they usually have them, especially this time a year, and will give it to you for free.Explore more on these topics:
