Well the best way to start the new year is with the sales!
The stores begin reducing stock they wanna shift and for us to grab as a must have bargain we never knew we needed! For me it is about the Bakeware sale when all the xmas baking related goodies go 50-75%off. These bakeware, boxes, cutters, moulds, embossers and what not go for the coming xmas fairs and events. My fave store for that is of course Lakeland 50% off start sale on Christmas eve and by mid january up to 75% off whats remaining online and instore. Every year is different and got some great bargains if you hold your nerve to wait till the 75% off sale. Of course dependant on stock and free pickup in store if you order online.
For me also i look out for the sale candy and chocolates as these are often dated past March so great to use in baking, i got some pink smarties for 50p a tube, 22packs of Cadburys snow bites normally £1 a bag for 20p bag. I just brought the lot! and other bits plus mincemeat dated 2018 for 10p a jar. The Mincemeat is strange some stores reduced it to 10p like sainsburys others have it full price still, so have to look out for it. It is Great for this xmas and next xmas! got about 12 jars so far. After Christmas is a great time to get seasonal crisps, biscuits, party foods and meats reduced half price or more
By far the most exciting for me is the Primark Christmas Jumper hunt when they go on sale come January, they seem to reduce them slightly before Christmas, then put them away and the few stray ones appear on the shopfloor for me to swoop, after 5/6th January Primark seem to reduce the mens jumpers to £2 each some musical some regular. This is a chance game especially having the size you want also. I have been doing it for about 2 years or so and got myself well over 30 jumpers in the sale for between £1 and £5 each instead of the usual £10/15/18 that they are in Primark. I check various stores on reduced rails, random shelfs and the womens section too as they often get mixed together mens and womens jumpers. Womens jumpers go by size 6-8 8-10 and mens go by small- large also the neckline is different in womens jumpers and slightly shorter in bodylength for some reason. Great way to get a xmas bargain
Finding Bargains after Christmas and getting the best discount is a skill, knowing the sales where they are and how much off. 99p and Poundland have a short discount sale of 50p for all the Christmas stuff, but this does go quickly as they make room for the Spring/Easter stuff. Poundworld lasts a little longer and i got some christmas 6pk individual cupcake boxes for 50p a pack, some xmas pudding hats too. There was lots of stuff remaining so worth a look there for the wrapping paper, decorations, cards and novelty hats etc.
It`s worth noting that as it gets towards the end of January and the sales come to an end, the remaining stock is reduced to probably 70-75% for a last minute attempt to shift stock so grab a bargain if you can.
Shopping online in these sales is perfectly acheiveable, although for clothes you will not get to try them on, cannot see the item in person. You are more likely to get stock online than in store in a sale, plus most stores offer free store pickup or free delivery over a certain amount. I ordered with new look a xmas jumper and scarf ( neither of these in store) both in sale plus the delivery and came quite fast, no pushing and shoving anyone for the bargain or hunting rails all from the comfort of the laptop. I also ordered with Claires 2 hats in the sale post of just £2.50 and sale items was £16 to £1.50 and another fascinator £1.50 instead of 8 and came quickly too.
Some stores do offer online only sales, and some do sales in store only. It is much better when the sale in instore and online, but better to order online to avoid dissapointment for items you are after, you can find bargains in store which are not advertised online also.
Well back to the sales!
Adampastryguy 