It’s that time of year again and by now, your Christmas shopping has probably started. If not, then you’ve come to the right place. When you’re a student, the problem of buying presents is one of budget. You don’t have a lot of money and what you do have needs to stretch that little bit further at this time of year. Here are some top ways to buy presents as cheaply as possible.
Christmas Markets
Most large towns and cities have Christmas markets; some run from mid-November through to Christmas Eve or they might last just one weekend. The stalls will be a mix of arts and crafts, food and drink, toys and ornaments and all generally local products. If you want a unique gift at an affordable price, there is no better place. What’s more, you’ll be supporting small traders.
“Black Friday” Deals
If you don’t like the rush of getting to your local chain store at midnight only to find yourself in a warzone, then go during the day. The stock will still be there in the morning. Alternatively, you could sit in the comfort of your student digs with a mug of cocoa and order from any number of online retailers offering fantastic deals. Use price comparison websites to make sure you get the best deal(s) though as some of their “75% OFF!” tags are misleading.
Make Something
Baking a cake can be daunting but there are some simple recipes online from such sites as BBC Good Food. Buying some attractive bottles, putting in some seasonal spices and adding your spirit of choice (vodka, gin, whiskey) can make a great and unique gift. The fact that it is homemade and required thought and preparation will be highly appreciated. On a student budget, you have the advantage of shopping around for ingredients. Nobody will know you bought cheap flour, sugar and eggs to make that cake.
Charity & “Seconds” Shops
This is the time of year when many people have a clear out and donate their unwanted goods to charity shops. Not only will they sell clothes, but also books and DVDs, electrical goods and household items. You may not find what you are looking for, but they are also worth a look just in case you find something perfect. They are a good way of saving money no matter what you intend to buy. “Seconds” shops don’t sell second hand goods, but brand new stock at much cheaper prices. Stock is rejected for having a slight misprint or coming out the wrong colour.
EBay & Other Online Resellers
Veteran ebayers will tell you about the numerous bargains they can get online when they shop at the right time. It’s easy to spend a lot of money at ebay, so set yourself a budget per item and don’t be tempted to stick on another 50p when you are outbid. Each “only another 50p extra” has a nasty habit of becoming £5 more than you intended to pay in the first place. Be patient, be strategic and most importantly, stick to your budget.