We’ve already brought you some great tips about Christmas shopping, but now it’s time to get ready for the next big spendfest – Boxing Day! If you’re braving the crowds and the lines this year, here are some tips to help you out.
Create a budget
Yes, Christmas is over and maybe you don’t have to buy for anyone else until next year. Still, it’s super easy to get in way over your head – especially when you’re faced with crazy Boxing Day sales. Make a budget, stick to it, and you’ll be much happier that you did.
Use cash
Yes, this will help make sure you don’t go over budget, but there’s another benefit here, too. If you’re using plastic and the machines go down, you’ll either have to rummage through your things trying to find cash (that you don’t actually know for a fact you have on you,) wait for the machine to be fixed, or go without that purchase. Bring cash, and get it all!
Know what to wear
This is the one day of the year when Canadians don’t dress for outside weather. Of course you still want to bring your coat, your hat, and your scarf for that cold trip in the car. But leave them there once you get to the mall or your shopping destination. Otherwise, you’ll just get hot and end up lugging your coat around with you everywhere. And what do you wear underneath? Preferably leggings and a tank top. This way you’ll be easily able to slip things on and off to try them on – without having to wait in those lengthy changing room lines.
Ditch the high heels
Do we really need to go any farther on this one? Slip into comfy running shoes, and your feet will thank you at the end of the day.
Go early
Not only do you want to make sure that the stores don’t run out of the item you want, some stores rely on lazy shoppers and so, only run their sales in the morning. Go early, and get all you want!
Take a bus or the subway
You won’t have to fight your way through traffic, you won’t have to circle the parking lot looking for a space, and you’ll be much happier.
Bring someone with you
You won’t get bored, they’ll remind you that you need to eat, and you can stand in that long line while they go on the hunt for the next great deal. Trust us. Boxing Day shopping just isn’t something you want to do alone.
Only bring one person
You might be tempted to make a day of it and hit the shops with all your girlfriends. That will waste time over deciding on items, searching stores for each other, and disagreements about where to go next. This isn’t a group activity; it was meant for just two.
Bring water
Just in case your friend gets so wrapped up in Boxing Day shopping themselves, bring a bottle of water with you. It’s very easy to get dehydrated, and that won’t make for a happy holiday.
You might be so excited about Boxing Day shopping that you don’t even stop to think about what (or who) you’ll need to bring or wear. But these small things can make a big difference, and can even extend your shopping day. Which means more things for you!
