Since 2017, some Irish nationals have made it a point to shop earlier before the festive season. Some pick up gifts throughout the year until the first day of December. A Paypal survey involving Irish consumers revealed that the average spending on Christmas gifts is €541. It further indicated that this amount is spread out throughout the year by 1.2 million Irish who do their shopping earlier. Admittedly, it sounds convenient to do this as it gives you ample time to polish up the home for Christmas. On that note, here are other reasons supporting the need for early shopping.
- Early shopping saves you money
Because of the enormous demand for gifts during December, prices increase. The shocking part is, even with the hikes, consumers are still compelled to make purchases no matter what. You can spare yourself and the family the trouble by taking the deliberate decision to shop earlier. Most likely, you will find the exact gift items at a lesser price.
Additionally, throughout the year and usually leading up to the holiday season, most retail shops provide discount sales. This is a period you can take advantage of to save money. Furthermore, even while saving money, you get to put a lot more thought into your gift. That said, you can start by checking a comprehensive list of cheap Xmas supplies for ideas on what to buy.
- A better selection to choose from
Due to the consumer rush at that time of the year, shelves become bare and rarely fully stocked. Apart from gift items, holiday décor becomes scarce and hard to find after December 20. It may seem like shops failed to stock up on things, but that isn’t the case. The only plausible reason lies in the droves of consumers embarking on last-minute shopping. In this case, how does early shopping benefit you? Without the pressure of impulse buying, you have the opportunity to access a wide variety of products you wouldn’t get when the holiday season arrives.
- Peace of mind and less stress
Independent Ireland reported that traffic jams during the festive season are incredibly high. The media, having studied the trend since 2018, also stated that these traffic jams result from consumers dashing out for last-minute shopping, people travelling by road to visit their extended families, those rushing to the airport, etc. That said, spending long hours in traffic can take a huge emotional, mental and physical toll on you. Additionally, you will be burning so much fuel just waiting for your turn to move on the road. You can avoid this needless stress and take it easy at home if you shop earlier.
Finally, to get your early shopping right, have your budget and item list already prepared. This will help you avoid overspending, forgetting to buy some items due to the pressure, and making impulse purchases. Hopefully, with these tips, you will have a positive early shopping experience this year.
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