5 Boxing Day Shopping Survival Tips

| Friday December 24, 2010

Boxing Day, December 26, is the major shopping bonanza on the Canadian calendar. It's a day of deep discounts, strategy, and sharp elbows - so Black Friday, but with a major figgy pudding and eggnog hangover. One theory on how it got its name says this is a day when boxes of unused presents were once delivered to charity.

(However, we think it might be from the boxing some men receive from angry wives presented with yet another kitchen appliance or vacuum cleaner on Christmas morning.)

Are you planning on hitting up the malls bright and early on Boxing Day for some steals? If so, here are five tips on how to survive this busy shopping day:

(1) Create a list of must-snag store deals by browsing through advance sale flyers, deal websites (eg. Red Flag Deals and Flyers and Coupons), or subscribing to your favourite stores' e-newsletters. This will give you an overall idea of which deals are available and if it's even worth stepping inside.

(2) Choose form fitting clothes over bulky jeans and sweaters, such as leggings and a long sleeved cotton shirt. You can bypass long lineups at the fitting room by trying on clothes right at the rack. In the same way, wear comfy slip-on shoes instead of boots or sneakers with laces to save time.

(3) Bring big reusable totes for your purchases. Most stores' shopping bags have short handles which is a problem if you have multiple purchases. Sling long-handled reusable totes over your shoulders to keep hands free, do your part for the environment, and save a few cents off your purchase (where available)!

(4) Find out where the merchandise you want is located as soon as you walk in. Some featured items are placed in a display away from their usual shelf so asking a sales associate straight away can save you precious minutes, especially if quantities are limited.

(5) Ask if the store issues rainchecks on Boxing day specials. If they do, make sure to ask if there are certain restrictions applied such as expiry date or minimum purchase amount required.

What is your best tip to surviving Boxing Day shopping?

by Mary Deleniana

5 Comments

	on December 27, 2010 MaryD 662 said: Ali, I LOVE shopping online in my PJ's! I get to browse and get the stuff I want without getting trampled on by other shoppers.
	on December 27, 2010 Ali de Bold STAFF said: I never go shopping on boxing day. There is no deal that makes it worth the lunacy in my opinion. If you like huge crowds, line-ups, angry people and sweating you will enjoy it. I love that so many stores are doing online shopping now. You can find a lot of the same deals there from the comfort of your couch.
	on December 24, 2010 mamaluv STAFF said: If you don't score the door crashers, then many of the other "sales" are not that great of a discount after all. I find the same has been true of Black Friday deals. There are many other shopping weekends like Victoria Day/Memorial Day, Canada Day/Independence Day, Thanksgiving sales, etc, that if you miss one sale, you just have to wait for the next one. There will always be another chance to get a similar deal - I had to learn that the hard way!
	on December 24, 2010 jchang212 106 said: I've totally given up on Boxing Day shopping... it just stresses me out and to be honest, the same sale is usually on for the rest of the week. Treat tips though!!
	on December 24, 2010 cathy3087 98 said: Tip 2 is so true! I actually try and do this anytime I shop for myself, not just boxing day. I despise waiting for change rooms! I usually go boxing day shopping but I might skip out this year. Most stores have had amazing sales going on the past 2 weeks and I picked up a few little something's for myself already. I think I'm all shopped out this year!