The Best Times To Buy Christmas Presents

On my first blog I mentioned the importance of knowing stores. Most all shoppers have some level of brand loyalty. We all have stores we love and brands we love as well. But most of us don't take the time to learn our favorite stores selling and  sale trends. We buy when the first deals offered and end up spending more than we have to.

So, today, I am going to reveal some shopping secrets I've learned about my favorite stores and how they have saved me money when it comes to Christmas Shopping.

The Best Time To Buy Christmas Presents From Certain Stores 

The North Face Outlet 

Did you know the infamous Black Friday deals that cause people to wrap around the North Face Outlet stores are the same deals that are offered the end of October? Sure, maybe you might get gloves a little bit cheaper black friday but their big ticketed items, and 90% of their other items are on sale starting as early as October. You don't deal with the rush, and you have a much bigger selection.

Under Armour Outlet 

Again, don't be deceived by Black Friday. Those sales start as early as October as well. Under Armour is a little bit trickier only because they rotate their items that they have on sale frequently. Some weeks it's buy 2 shorts for $25 and then the next week is buy two t-shirts for $25. It's really a hit and a miss with them. But, the 20% off clearance is offered all year round. Personally, I have found if you live in  state with a tax-free weekend that's when you'll get the best prices at the Under Armour Outlet.

PS Aeropostale 

They literally always have a sale. But, very rarely are their online sales as good as their in store sales. Plus, online they never let you double coupons and in stores they do. I would recommend getting zip up jackets and matching sweat pants early November OR early December. Short Sleeve t-shirts I would stock up on late September and early October.
Pajamas come on sale after black friday at their best price but I'd recommend buying in store and not online. You can do well online there, too but in stores you have a better chance.

Abercrombie

October, are you noticing a trend here, yet? October is a GREAT month for sales. But, there's another trick with Abercrombie, buy end of the season for the following Christmas. Abercrombie is like Polo and J.Crew they have a set style that only changes marginally each year. Buying your basics at end of season will save you tons of money for great clothes! But, make sure to buy basics as well early on. Plain long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, button ups and jeans don't go out of style.
If you're wanting a winter coat, try in May/June. My nieces and nephews got Abercrombie coats for $21... yes you're reading that correctly, $21.00!
Kids won't know if it's last years or not especially with Abercrombie. I have a coat I bought from them 9 years ago that they literally have come out with a new addition of every year for the past 9 years. All have very slight and minor differences but are at the core the same coats.

Dillards 

June and July are a great time to stock up on basketball shorts and athletic tops for little boys. They have great brands at great prices. You have to sift through the clothes but you'll get some really great items for your little boys. I know I scored Adidas shorts for under $5. 

Old Navy

I'll admit this one baffles me. I can't keep up with their sales. All I can say is don't settle for 15% off sales. Also, shop in stores. Their online prices can be 10-20% higher on sale items. 

I'll post another blog with more stores later. For now, I feel this is a good starting point. If you have noticed any other shopping trends please comment below! 

5 Tips On How To Money Save On Christmas Shopping for Kids

I am not going to claim to be a professional shopper; I am however an avid shopper.
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved to shop and buy presents for people. It's my love language definitely.

For the past five years I have taken my love of Christmas shopping and expanded from buying by own gifts to buying gifts for others. Mostly family members but some friends as well.

In the past five years I have tried to research how to save money on Christmas shopping and never have I ever come up with a good blog or good articles. They all give generic tips that I have figured out for myself. No one tells when the best time to buy each item is.

So, I am going to start offering some of the in-depth information I have learned. I hope in doing so I will help others save money and find kindred spirits that can offer even better tips that I, too can use.

5 Tips On How to Save Money On Christmas Shopping for Kids

1. Shop Early For Basics 

Most people like to wait until last minute to shop, but that can cost you in the end. There are some things you should wait for but when it comes to basics start early.
By basics, I mean items (clothes) that will be in style year after year. For example, black yoga pants - plain black yoga pants come out every year from Old Navy.
Buying the end of the season black yoga pants at Old Navy in January or February in a size up for $4-6 will save you on average $4 a pair. This isn't a major gift, but it's a complimentary gift. You can spend $4 on a pair of pants and then get them next seasons sweat shirt (on sale) and give them a relatively inexpensive outfit.

This isn't something that you can do only for Christmas but for clothe buying for your children in general. Plain colored t-shirts, jeans, play clothes etc. any basic item that's really only an accent piece for your child's outfit you should buy when the season is over in the next size up.

2. Shop Frequently 

This tip will tie in with tip #3. By shopping frequently, not necessarily buying every time you shop, you're becoming aware of the items offered and their starting prices. You can see when they hit the market and better determine if you're getting a good deal.

For example, Christmas pajamas from most stores (not including the Children's Place) start coming out in October. Usually mid to late October. The week of Halloween more winter pajamas are launched and more long sleeve shirts are launched as well.
Shopping frequently doesn't only allow you to know when clothes are launched but it allows you to catch deals you would otherwise miss.

Checking websites for items you want on a regular basis will help you monitor prices and allow you to decide when the right time is to buy.

Also, when you're like me and have the research done you'll know when the right time to look for the items you want is and won't waste time looking before anything is launched.

3. Know Your Stores 

I cannot stress this point enough. It is SO important that you know your stores. Every store comes out with weekly deals and their BUY IT NOW pricing! They shove it down your face and people react impulsively buying items because they don't realize better deals will be coming.
Monitor the stores, they're pretty cyclical, and every year around the same times their sales come out. You can learn what the best sale is and when it's coming.
I'll dive into specific stores in my next blog, to give more helpful information.

4. Coupons

We live in a day with so many coupon APPS and websites that really we shouldn't be buying anything without a coupon or some sort of discounts. It's as easy as going to Google and searching coupons or downloading apps like Retail Me Not on your smart phone. Use coupons.

5. Backup Email Accounts

I will confess, I do have a backup email account that I use to sign up for store promotions after I've used my regular email account. Thankfully, I have my regular email account, icloud email, work email and back up email, so I'm covered for 4 years when it comes to getting to additional 10-20% off deals for registering. Just create an account it's not hard and it saves money in the end.

If you have more tips you would like to share please comment below!
Be on the look out for the next blog on Knowing Your Stores & learn how that can save you money on Christmas shopping!