Staying sane during the upcoming sales and shopping frenzy
With Black Friday and Christmas coming, it's hard to avoid those buying impulses
By now, you’ve probably seen at least a few, if not a multitude of emails in your inbox and a host of social media ads promoting Black Friday offers and sales.
Add to that the impending thought of Christmas shopping, and this time of year can feel a bit relentless.
So here are some practical ways to keep things calm and intentional during the sales period and the lead-up to Christmas.
Navigating the sales season
#1 Treat urgency as optional
It’s easy to fall into the urgency trap at this time of year. But be aware that many “urgent” deals aren’t always the case. Many “limited-time” deals reappear at some other times. Most countdown timers reset or last a lot longer than the countdown implies. You won’t necessarily miss out if you don’t buy right now.
#2 Use a 24-hour pause for anything non-essential
If something feels urgent, that’s the best reason to wait. And remembering that the offer isn’t always as urgent as it seems, it can be a good idea to give yourself a day to think about it before you buy. If you still want it tomorrow, great - fill your shopping cart.
#3 Make a list before browsing
Decide in advance:
What do I actually need?
Is this something I’ve planned to buy anyway?
Why now?
If it’s not on the list, it’s probably just the flash of the sale talking.
#4 Revisit last year’s buys
Think about what you bought last November/December. How many of those things are you actually using, or have restocked since, because you used them up?
This quick reality check makes most “must-have deals” feel less compelling.
#5 Reduce the incoming noise
Unsubscribe from brands you don’t care about. Mute ads for a while. Turn off notifications for shopping apps. That way you’ll have fewer things challenging your impulse restraint!
Simplifying Christmas gifting
#1 Set expectations early
You can shape the tone of the season by being upfront about buying less this Christmas. Try:
Suggesting a spending limit
Agreeing on one gift per person
Proposing no gifts between adults
Having a group Secret Santa rather than direct gifting
Proposing that everyone buy a gift from a second-hand or charity shop, or make a gift
Suggesting making donations to charity rather than exchanging gifts
Opting for experiences over things
Most people feel relieved when someone starts the conversation.
#2 Prioritise meaning over volume
A thoughtful card, a small useful item, a shared meal, or planning something together often carries more weight than trying to tick everyone off a long list of “stuff.”
Equally, home-made items can be more valuable to the receiver than an expensive store-bought item.
#3 Create rituals and traditions that aren’t about things
A fun festive season doesn’t have to revolve around presents. You can create traditions and rituals among your family and friends. Think:
A Christmas Day walk or beach day
A festive season movie marathon
Baking holiday treats together
Making decorations
A board game tournament
These ground the season in connection rather than commerce.
The sales period and the lead-up to Christmas can feel loud and demanding, but with a few boundaries and a bit of forethought, you can keep it all manageable.
Buy the things you genuinely need, skip the stuff you don’t, and keep the focus on the parts of the season that matter to you.