Give Like Santa, Save Like Hugo—How to Plan the Perfect Christmas | Hugo

6 Christmas Shopping Tips That’ll Keep You Merry

Make a list and check it twice

Make a realistic list of what we are ready to spend on. Decide how much money we can afford for our Christmas expenditure and budget for different categories like dinners, gifts and splurges. Even if we don’t know exactly what everything will cost, having a ballpark idea will help control how much we spend.

“I’m making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out what’s worthy and nice!”

Be a discount hunter

A champion shopper is one who can brave the halls of Takashimaya and exit with a bill that looks like it’s from a Value Dollar shop. Some stores offer free delivery services with a minimum spend, so if everything we need can be found in one store, great! Being discount hunters means we’ll know exactly where to find our treasures instead of shopping aimlessly like a headless chicken only to kena chop like a carrot.

EVERYONE GETS 10% OFFFFFFFF!!!

Not going overboard on sales

That said, the calendar is littered with sale days. There’s The Great Singapore Sale, 10.10, 11.11, 12.12, Black Friday/Cyber Monday… Omg, the list goes on. Just because the prices are slashed doesn’t mean we should chiong for it. Real discount hunters are like masterful chess players—they think a few steps ahead so consider the following: 

• • Would this have caught the eye if it weren’t on sale?
  • How will I interact with this item when the novelty has worn off?
  • When this item has served my immediate needs, will it still be useful?

Getting a great deal and building your Roundups is awesome but sometimes – it’s better to walk away.

Limit memberships/loyalty programs

Stores are straight-up crafty when it comes to making us buy more than what’s on our shopping list. Rewards and loyalty programs might seem like a good idea, but unlike gold which appreciates in value, these sales tricks go the other way very quickly. Such tactics include:

• • Loyalty programs that require massive spending for small rewards
  • Annual memberships that give stores the ability to advertise right into your inbox all year
  • Tiered membership statuses that require that you spend more to maintain your status
  • One-time reward for signing up only to be subject to ongoing membership fees

Christmas shopping with both eyes open and your mind on full alert is the best Defense Against the Marketing Dark Arts. 

Get cosy and makan at home

Skip the expensive Christmas dinners at restaurants and host a potluck at home instead. Not only are you less restricted since you can keep the night going after 10:30, but you’ll also be sharing the cost by having everyone bring a different dish. Just make sure your makan kakis don’t all bring desserts, drinks or snacks only! Of course, even if your friends aren’t the sort to cook, you can still prepare an epic dinner, hotpot-style. Get out your hotpot (or borrow your mum’s!) and ask everyone to bring over their fave ingredients and don’t forget the handmade noodles!

Me: “Mom, can we go to the hotpot restaurant?” | Mom: “No, we already have hotpot at home.” | *The hotpot at home*

Do something memorable. No need to buy expensive presents.

Embrace Marie Kondo and live that minimalist life. Instead of purchasing more stuff for your friends, look at gifting experiences instead. Try art jamming and pottery to satisfy your artsy side. If getting some sunshine is your thing, kayaking around MacRitchie Reservoir is perfect for some Christmas season peace. Cycling from East Coast Park to Changi Village for good hawker fare is always a fun day out. With your $100 SingapoRediscovers vouchers, courtesy of the gahmen, you can do something memorable with your family and friends without spending like a prodigal prince.