7 Tips to Get the Most Out of Boxing Day!

Boxing Day is a staple of the holiday season. After a day filled with family, gifts, friendship, and turkey, we head to bed early in anticipation of waking up at the crack of dawn for some of the hottest deals of the year. While many deals exist online, and in some cases, for multiple days, there are still some incredible savings to be had by going down in-person and waiting in line. As a result, we’ve assembled some tips for getting the most out of Boxing Day without breaking the bank or losing a finger in the cold.

1.     Browse the Flyers

Flyers contain your portal to savings. Think of them as your sales radar. With businesses wanting to market their reduced prices to as many people as possible in advance, there are plenty of paper or digital flyers to peruse and get a sense of what you want on Boxing Day.

2.     Set a Budget

After looking through the flyers, you’ll likely know what items and stores you’re interested in, and now is a perfect time to look at your budget. Keep your regular expenses in mind, and that it isn’t worth buying something that’ll put you in financial dire straits. One big ticket item or a handful of smaller ones are the best way to keep your spending in-check.

3.     Make a List

Once you’ve set your budget, put together a list of items in order of importance. This is the best way to avoid impulsive over-spending. Having a list of items can also keep you focused, cutting down on the time you spend in each store. Walking around to browse only reduces your chances of getting a good deal on items later in the day.

4.     Ensure You’re Actually Getting a Deal

Not all businesses are this way, but there are many that hold a Boxing Day sale without really giving you much of a deal. They hope consumers won’t compare their pricing to other businesses. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the regular pricing of the items on your list before rushing out to the store.

5.     Plan Your Route

Not everyone will want to visit one store and call it a day. With Boxing Day deals existing almost everywhere in the city as well as in smaller communities, planning out the day can increase your chances of getting the items you want. Prioritize your route based on your list and the items you think will sell out the fastest.

For example:

• A 32-inch television for $100 would be far more likely to sell out quickly vs a deal on indoor home paint.
• Two stores are close to each other and by going to both vs one large store across town, you can get more of the smaller items on your list.

6.     Dress Warm

There is nothing that’ll take your breath away, quite literally, like a cold Manitoba Winter. December has been known to offer up some seriously sub-zero temperatures and if you plan on waiting outside, in some cases for hours, you need to be prepared. Wear your long johns, layered shirts and sweaters, a warm jacket, toque, scarf, and gloves. Gloves are some of the most important articles of clothing to bring as we all know how quickly fingers can freeze. Stay safe out there!

7.     Online Shopping
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With Boxing Day evolving into Boxing Week and, in some cases, Boxing Month, the things you care about may actually end up on sale for a much longer period of time than anticipated. Checking out online retailers is a great way to get an idea of whether or not you even need to head out into the cold to wait in line with fellow shoppers. Take a look to see what you can find, but also try and support local business wherever possible. The holidays are supposed to be about warmth and kindness, after all!