Christmas is usually quick to creep up on us every year. If your shopping isn’t done already, now is a good time to think about what to get your loved ones. Starting early gives you the chance to beat the holiday rush and to save money by buying gifts on Black Friday. This year in the UK this is on November 26th.
Maximising savings and having an enjoyable experience on a day when people are a bit “deal crazy” is going to take some planning. Because of this, I’d like to share a few tips with you to help nudge things in the right direction. I’ve even got a bit of advice on how to guarantee affordable parking on Black Friday. Ready to dive in and make this Christmas less stressful?
The Origins Of Black Friday
The phrase “Black Friday” has historically been used in the UK by emergency services to mark the Friday before Christmas every year. In 2005, it started taking on an entirely new meaning thanks to the American market. They adopted the term to signal one day a year where retailers offer mind-blowing discounts to their customers.
This year, Black Friday is taking place on Friday the 26th of November. A month and a day before Christmas, is the best opportunity to tick off your Christmas gifts list. Without having to contend with the usual festive season stock shortages a couple of weeks later.
Getting Your Christmas Shopping Done On Black Friday
If you’re set on getting your Christmas shopping done on Black Friday, these tips will help you get ready and make the experience more pleasant.
- Preparation is key, so carve out a bit of time to get organised. Retailers aren’t shy to market their deals via social media or their newsletters well ahead of time. So go on a follow and sign-up spree to make sure you don’t miss anything.
- On top of keeping an eye out for curated deals, research a few budget gift ideas for extra inspiration. If you start early enough you’ll even have time to compare the prices of different stores. Highlight the key retailers that sell the products that you’re looking for and map out your route for the day.
- It’s a good idea to stick to your shopping list on the day itself. It will be easy to get distracted by other deals. This keeps purchases within your budget and avoids impulse buying that can leave you with regrets later. Always keep a rough price bracket in mind for every gift. Especially if you can’t find what you’re looking for and need to go with plan B.
- Most importantly, try to enjoy the experience! Black Friday doesn’t have to be a day riddled with anxiety and stress. It might be busy, but it’s only one day in the year, after all. Start the day right by listening to an uplifting playlist. Take a book along to make queues more manageable, and try to generally embrace the moment. It helps to think about how happy your friends and family will be on the 25th of December!
Black Friday Parking Made Easy
Even though there was a decline in retail sales on Black Friday in 2020 (hello, lockdown!), with life returning to some semblance of normalcy things are expected to pick up again this year. Stores are anticipating flocks of people again, which may make finding parking near shopping centres and popular stores very difficult.
A sharing economy parking space provider like Stashbee will let you book a guaranteed spot close to where you need to be for the day. You’ll probably pay less than the shopping centre parking rate if you book early. This will save you time and energy before the shop, which are both essential to making Black Friday a good experience at the end of the day.
With your Christmas shopping taken care of, you can sit back and relax during the last month of the year. It also means that you will be able to spend as much uninterrupted time with your loved ones as possible. You may even get a couple of jealous glances from a relative after they hear how on top of things you are this year. What’s the end of the year without a bit of Christmas drama, after all?
Here’s wishing you a good experience on Black Friday and a Merry Christmas too.
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