How Shopping Early Will Save You Money this Christmas

Close up of woman hands with, gifts, coffee cup and laptop. Online shopping at Christmas holidays. Freelance girl woking from home office. Female typing at notebook computer.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 14 November 2023

MyVoucherCodes money-saving expert, Sarah-Jane Outten, explains how she saves money by wrapping up her Christmas shopping early.

Black Friday Sale. Woman's hand holding black gift box with red bow over black background.

Black Friday

This year, Black Friday falls on the 29th of November, closely followed by Cyber Monday on the 2nd of December. It’s the perfect time to chip away at the kid's Christmas lists. It feels like Black Friday all month, but retailers will be slashing prices on the 29th. Grab some bargains! However, Black Friday isn’t always the best price. Check with price comparison sites like CamelCamelCamel, Price Runner, PriceSpy and Google Shopping.

A little girl excitedly looks at a doll she's just received as a gift on Christmas morning.

Toy Sales

Toys sales are on the up. Even though lots of kids have gone digital, toys are always popular. If your little one is asking Santa to bring a toy that’s a big hit this year, get in early! The most popular toys of the year often sell fast, don’t bust a gut trying to find it on Christmas Eve! Retailers want to boost profits as early as possible, so the best deals are available now.

Wrong Item Concept. Sad unpset mature woman sitting on couch and unpacking cardboard box, received parcel with damaged staff, covering face in disappointment, feeling dissatisfied with bad purchase

Buyer's Regret

Buyer's regret is real. Nothing is worse than leaving Christmas shopping to the last minute only to realise the gift you need is sold out or won’t be delivered in time. And the chances are the closer you get to Christmas the higher the price.

Parcel delivery man of a package through a service and customer hand accepting a delivery of boxes from delivery man

Avoid Expensive Delivery Charges

Avoid expensive delivery charges. Leaving purchases last minute means spending extra on delivery. If you aren’t in a hurry you can afford to choose the cheaper and free delivery options. Make sure those pressies arrive before Santa!

Gingerbread cake for Christmas with lingonberry and christmas decorations over wool white background. Homemade lemon bundt cake with glaze and icing sugar.

Festive Foodies

Festive foodies need to shop early this year. The supermarkets are laden with Christmas treats and booze right now, at special prices, from Baileys on Clubcard prices to discounted selection boxes and stocking fillers. As Christmas approaches, some of these offers get removed, and deals aren’t usually as good. Stock up in advance, but make sure you hide the goodies, even if that’s just from yourself!

Salesclerk handing merchandise to customer in boutique

Ask for a Gift Receipt

Ask for a gift receipt. Just because you are getting ahead of time, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to return items. Ask the retailer for a gift receipt and you should be good to return your goods after Christmas.

Girl holding smart phone with discount code concept on screen

Use a Discount Code

Use a discount code. There are excellent discount codes available right now. Don’t assume the best discount codes will available closer to Christmas. MyVoucherCodes is seeing excellent discount codes from top retailers such as GHD, Boots, Goldsmiths, and Adidas available right now.

And finally, it’s not just money that’s worth saving - it’s your sanity too! As we roll into December the shops will become incredibly busy. Avoid the long queues and the hot and sweaty fights over the last tin of festive biscuits. There’s no need to scramble for the last parking spot, stand on the bus or risk a rail replacement service. You can have everything wrapped up by the start of December and all you need to do is enjoy a mulled wine with your favourite Christmas movie.

Hi, I’m SJ. I’m the Beauty Editor and PR Executive here at MyVoucherCodes. As a qualified make-up artist, I've been able to share my knowledge on all things beauty and skincare with our readers so they not only look good and feel great, but save money. As a mum of three, I understand the challenges that families face, and making budgets go further is something I feel passionately about. My research and recommendations help families of all sizes shop better allowing them to enjoy the little luxuries in life. My work has been featured in many publications including The Sun, The Mirror, Netmums, and The Telegraph.

Outside of MyVoucherCodes, I'm a writer and interviewer for pop culture magazines like Buzz Magazine. I've chatted to celebrities such as Strictly's Johannes Redebe and poet Kae Tempest. It's certainly one of the best parts of my job. Over the years I've built a portfolio of work that shows the diversity of my writing, which gives me a breadth of knowledge and experience that I apply to my work every day.