Getting a head start on your festive shopping isn’t just smart—it can save you time, money, and stress when December rolls around.
Here’s your Early Bird Guide to Christmas Shopping, with tips to help you sail through the season like a sleigh on fresh snow.
1. Make Your List (and Check It Twice)
Before you start browsing the shops or clicking through online deals, take time to jot down who you're buying for. Include:
Family
Friends
Teachers or colleagues
Secret Santa recipients
Neighbours or delivery drivers (if you like to gift locally)
Also, set a rough budget for each person. It helps avoid overspending and keeps things manageable.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Start with what you can comfortably afford overall, then break it down by category: gifts, wrapping, decorations, food, and any travel costs. Spreading the cost over a few months rather than cramming it into December helps take the financial sting out of Christmas.
3. Take Advantage of Pre-Christmas Sales
Autumn brings a flurry of early deals: look out for:
Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales (late November)
Singles’ Day (11 November – especially popular for online deals)
Mid-season clearance sales at high street retailers
Discount codes from loyalty schemes or early access newsletters
Early birds often catch the best discounts—especially on popular toys and tech.
4. Go Personal with Gifts
Shopping early gives you the luxury of time to find or create thoughtful, personalised presents. Think:
Custom prints or illustrations
Monogrammed accessories
Handmade treats like jams, biscuits or DIY hampers
These often take longer to arrive or make, so the earlier you plan, the better the results.
5. Buy Wrapping and Cards Early Too
Don’t overlook the finishing touches. Stock up on:
Wrapping paper
Gift bags
Gift tags
Christmas cards and postage stamps
Many shops offer multipacks or early-bird discounts on stationery before the big rush starts. It also gives you time to send parcels to friends or family overseas.
6. Hide and Track Your Gifts
Start a “gift cupboard” or a box tucked out of sight. Label everything with the recipient’s name and keep a running list (either on paper or in a note-taking app) so you don’t double-buy or forget what you’ve already sorted.
Top tip: don’t forget where you’ve hidden things. It happens more than you think!
7. Don’t Forget Food Planning
If you’re hosting or contributing to festive meals, plan early. Many supermarkets open Christmas food pre-orders in autumn, and some independent producers offer early bird deals on:
Festive cheeses and charcuterie
Christmas puddings and cakes
Alcoholic gifts like gin, wine or liqueurs
Shopping early also helps you snag delivery slots before they disappear.
8. Enjoy the Season, Don’t Rush It
Most importantly, getting your Christmas shopping done early frees you up to enjoy December at a gentler pace—baking biscuits, watching festive films, sipping mulled wine, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Final Thoughts
Christmas doesn’t have to be a last-minute scramble. With a bit of planning and some early action, you can turn the festive period into a joyful, stress-free season. Whether you love a spreadsheet or just like ticking off a list with a cuppa in hand, the early bird approach is a gift to yourself.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Let us know your best early-bird tip in the comments!