Gifts

How To Plan Buying Presents And Win A Hamper

by Karen Langridge

Most people when looking to buy presents do so with the best intentions. The thought process is usually something like: I won’t be one of those eejits panic buying random books or bottles of expensive alcohol the day before my friend’s big birthday because I’ve failed to plan. No way, that’s not for me. Not again.

Of course the intention is always to plan ahead but somehow, life, love and the binge watching of addictive TV shows always get in the way. The trick is to go one step further. Don’t just retain some vague intention to be more organised. Get active, do something. With this four step plan we can ensure your future shopping experiences run as smoothly as possible.

Know who you’re buying for

It happens way too often. Take a look on your social media and see a flurry of birthday messages being sent to one of your family members. You totally forgot it was their birthday and now you have to run to the shop to buy them something. You have no idea what to buy them and it’s too late to ask someone closer to them as they’ll realise how last minute you’ve actually left it. And so you cast a baleful glance online at your credit card funds and sigh to yourself as you spend money on something they’re probably not going to even like.

Set your budget

You’re going to need to know how much you have to spend in advance. That way you don’t wind up splurge-buying a swish new tablet for yourself before realising you can’t afford little Timmy’s guitar he’s been asking for or unusually-large-for-her-age Claire’s box of Nutella. And what then? You’ve got to take on a second job as a janitor in the evenings, meaning you never get to see your spouse or kids at all, ruining your marriage, causing you to hit the bottle, get sacked from both your jobs and, finally, wind up begging outside that supermarket you had originally planned to brag in. See where not having a budget gets you? It’s a dark image for sure, but this is solid motivation we’re providing here.

Make a list

Whether it’s Christmas presents, birthday presents, or any other presents, planning is all about lists; do not just rely on your brain. Don’t be one of those people. Sure I’ve a great mind altogether, I often get seven letter words on Countdown. You will forget what presents to get, what’s what and which presents which. The mind is fallible and it will let you down – especially when under duress which you’re almost guaranteed to be. Also you probably won’t understand what a Doc McStuffins is and who or what a Macklemore does. So maybe it’s best you write everything down before you actually start shopping.

Buy in the sales

When it comes to shopping for others the trick is to start early. When you hit the sales keep any upcoming events in mind, no matter how far in the future they may be. Sure your Mum’s 50th is six months away but you’ve spotted a great gift at an amazing price now. If you buy it now, you’ll save yourself the stress of looking for something closer to the time and save some money for yourself along the way.

To take the stress out of your next present how about winning this rather fabulous hamper! Jam packed with indulgent treats, a full size bottle of pink fizz, handmade chocolate truffles, luxury fruit cake, candles, shortbread, Belgian chocolates and hand cream all beautifully presented in a golden box.

 

buying presents

 

If you would like to enter simply complete the rafflecopter by the 3rd of April. If you cannot tweet as your not on twitter feel free to share the competition on facebook instead for the entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway