Despite the fact that many of us spend most of December shopping for holiday gifts, once Santa has come and gone, the shopping doesn’t have to stop. The day after Christmas is when the fun really starts, and shopaholics can hunt for sales on anything that didn’t appear under the tree. If you’re planning on hitting the shops on Boxing Day, use our tips and tricks to make the experience as efficient and productive as possible. Happy shopping!
Start early
Set your alarm and get moving. Aim to be at the mall or your store of choice when it opens, or before it opens if you have your heart set on a hot-ticket item. The earlier you can shop the better since that’s when you’ll find that things are at their quietest. But don’t skip breakfast. The last thing you need is to be enduring crowds and long lineups on an empty stomach.
Do some research ahead of time
What do you really need this Boxing Day? Could your winter wardrobe use a boost, or is it electronics you’re after? Narrow down the scope of what you’ll be searching for to make your experience easier. Once you know what you want to focus on, check out store websites to see how much items you’re interested are going to be marked down. It also pays to look at online reviews for things like tablets and laptops so you can narrow down your must-have list even further.
Scout out your favourite retailers
Often, soon after December hits, stores will start advertising Boxing Day sales. Take a wander through your favourite stores (you’ll be Christmas shopping anyway) and see what kind of discounts might be coming after the holidays. It also doesn’t hurt to ask employees if they can share any information about what might be getting discounted once Boxing Day rolls around.
Set a budget
Avoid going overboard and make sure to set a budget before you start buying. Leave your credit cards at home and either get out the amount of cash you’ve allotted for the day, or just use your debit card and stay within range. Don’t forget to account for things like food and drinks, public transportation, or parking costs if you’re driving.
Make a list
Once you’ve done your research, make a list of the items you want to shop for. Prioritize the list from most to least important to stay on track once you start shopping and especially if you plan on hitting more than one mall or shopping area.
Have a plan
Before you set out, devise a rough plan for how you want to tackle your Boxing Day shopping excursion. What mall do you want to go to first, what order do you want to visit various shopping centres or stores, which entrance of the mall is closest to the stores you want to go to – think about anything that can help make your day easier and implement it into your plan. This can also include the best transit options, where a mall’s restrooms are, and options for food and drink if you need it.
Walk or use public transit
Unless you have a lot of ground to cover and you’re going to be visiting areas that area really far apart, it’s smart to take public transit or walk. That way you can avoid the hassle of trying to find a parking space on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Use a shopping app
There are dozens of apps out there aimed at helping people shop better and smarter. Use one to your advantage when it comes to Boxing Day shopping. RedFlagDeals, for example, is a great place to start to see where the best deals are going to be at the retailers you’re interested in, and to compare prices before you buy. Use it in addition to your pre-shopping research. Flipp allows you to browse flyers with the swipe of your finger, clip items you’re interested in, read the details about things you may want to buy, and more.
Avoid heavy layers when indoor shopping
Malls tend to be hot, and carrying around a large winter coat can hinder your shopping progress. Dress in light layers and leave bulky items in the car if you’re driving. Wearing thinner items of clothing also means you can try things on over what you’re wearing versus waiting for a change room, which are likely to be rammed on Boxing Day.
Pack snacks
Keeping your energy up while you shop is important, as is staying hydrated so you can feel your best and manage any stress that might come your way. Small, easily transportable items are best – think granola bars, trail mix packages, apples, oranges and baby carrots. Bring a refillable water bottle with you as well as you can sip on the go.
Come prepared
One of the best things you can do for yourself when you go shopping on Boxing Day is to be prepared. For starters, wear a bag that allows your hands to be free (cross body is the optimal choice). Next, have your snacks and water on hand, any cash you’ll need, Kleenex, hand sanitizer and anything else you think will come in handy during your shopping trip.
Shop online
If you really don’t want to brave the malls, consider doing your Boxing Day shopping inside, in the comfort of your own home. Online retailers often have good deals worth checking out. Just keep in mind that these deals can be for limited numbers of items, which can get snapped up fast. Take note of when online stores are starting their sales and then shop early.
Lead photo:Martin Abegglen used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license
