Although we know there are many very organised people who start their shopping in October (or even the January sales the year before) the rest of us seem to run out of time. Christmas shopping has become a chore and you end up disliking the people you are shopping for because they become the reason you are out there stressed and hot and unable to find anything.

We believe that you can break your shopping into little lunchtime dashes (if you don’t have any time at lunchtime try go after work), the shops we visited are on Oxford Street but you should be able to apply the principles anywhere. First, some little thoughts/ideas/hints before you leave the comfort of your desk;

• Make a list, unless you only have 1 or 2 people to buy for a list is essential, its also good to have the names written down so that you can jot any flashes of inspiration down. For example, you may have a really excellent idea for what to get your brother while you’re on the tube…WRITE IT DOWN or you will forget.

• Ask people what they’d like, it takes away the element of surprise but as least you’ll be confident you’re getting something they want.

• If you don’t know the person you’re buying for very well (girlfriend’s Dad etc) get ideas from people who do know them, do not simply buy a generic gift like a candle!

• If it’s someone who ‘has everything’ go for something you know they like and will use up; wine, moisturiser, food, posh shower gel, etc. If they travel lots get them travel sizes of their favourite products DON’T get them ‘travel gadgets’ – miniature irons, travel picture frames etc as they will not use them.

• Don’t panic! The worst thing you can do is buy something for the sake of it or buy the first thing you come across. If in doubt don’t, or call a friend for a second opinion.

• Finally, if all else fails, vouchers are a very good present. You can get vouchers for everything now and you can even get most of them in Clinton Cards, they have a huge range including Habitat, Ticketmaster, B&Q, iTunes and loads of high street shops. Just think of the bargains they can buy in the January Sales.

Lunchtime shopping

No Budget – Primark
You have to know what you’re doing in Primark or you’ll find nothing, you also have to go to a big one to choose from the full range of bargains.
What’s good

• Women’s underwear and PJ’s – loads and loads of choice, you can buy separates as well as sets, sexy or pretty, girly or sophisticated. Our film also shows the more comedy, cheeky side of the range.

• Cashmere – lots of men’s and women’s in a range of colours at a great price.

• Hats, Scarves and Gloves – really cheap sets, lots to choose from for all the family.

• Novelty Christmas items (tea towels, stockings etc), if you’re gonna buy tat it might as                     well be cheap tat!

What’s not so good

• Homewares – not really any middle ground between black and sparkly and a world of beige.

• Accessories and jewellery – excellent for accessorising a Christmas party outfit but a bit tacky             for a gift.

• Wrapping paper, cards and the like – look as cheap as they are.

• ‘Gift’ range – awful cosmetic and beauty products in gross fluffy boxes etc.

• Men’s casual wear – bad T-Shirts, way too much fleece and a dash of embroidered denim.

On a budget – M&S, Boots, House of Fraser, Debenhams
All of the above have a huge range of products and some good discounts dotted around the store, try and avoid gift sets unless you’re sure it’s the perfect set of products for the recipient
What’s good

• 3 for 2 in Boots and M&S – especially on toys.
• 20 – 30% off selected lines in House of Fraser – allowing you to be more generous or save a                  few pennies
• Designers at Debenhams – especially the home and accessory ranges.
• Free gifts at the cosmetics counters – i.e. when you buy 2 products, add the gift to the present or keep it for yourself!

What’s not so good

• Celebrity fragrance sets – just NO.
• Celebrity homewares – no Kylie I don’t want your sheets, get away Linda Barker with your wallpaper.
• Novelty socks – if you must buy tat go to Primark.
• Huge boxes of cheap make-up – make-up is really personal and most people tend to stick to certain brands or products, the bumper packs tend to be cheap and full of things that will never be used.
• Xmas cuddly toys – fun for Christmas, but what do you do with them for the rest of the year?

Money to spend – John Lewis (Oxford Street)
John Lewis is an oasis, mostly tack free, with really helpful grown ups when you get stuck or lost

• The Food Hall – pretty much our favourite place to be, the cheese room, patisserie counter and wine section are the places to visit for fab foody gifts, the staff will help you choose and let you try!
• The sports department – a good selection of accessories for the sporty people in your life.
• Cosmetics and beauty – all the usual suspects along with the more unusual and quirky ranges, this is where a good gift set (or ‘starter set’) is a good option.
• Home – loads of choice, really good quality and good value.

What’s not so good

• Toys – not a great range.
• Shoes – mainly granny ranges available and too personal and important a gift to take a gamble on.
• Generic Christmas gifts section – buying novelty picked vegetable in an ornamental jar, a book of golf jokes or a letter opener that doubles as a comb is never going to be appreciated. Use this area strictly for stocking fillers.

Money to burn – Selfridges
You can pick up some great gifts at Selfridges, you don’t have to spend a fortune but it helps…
What’s good

• Limited editions of your fave products – Rakin Coke bottles, Gold Absolut Vodka, Alexander McQueen Chivas Whisky.
• The food hall – loads of luxury products, bacon flavoured chocolate….
• Hampers – really pricey but hugely impressive.
• Menswear – the best menswear department in the world!

What’s not so good

• Adult toys – no, not that kind…really expensive plastic models of creepy looking figures, WiFi rabbits, totally unnecessary dust collectors.
• Tourists – it can get really busy.
• Layout – very easy to get lost.
• Seductiveness – really easy to get sucked in by the atmosphere and the yellow bags and spend lots of money on things people will never use.

We hope this guide has been of help to you, but before we go we feel it important to impart one final piece of advice to you…this is the most important rule this year, as we face the credit crunch Christmas…NEVER PAY FULL PRICE for anything unless absolutely essential. There are discount vouchers everywhere this year and crazy sales that used to be reserved for January only. Office workers are the canniest breed of shopper and can usually be seen pulling reams of vouchers out of their bags, so next time you receive one of those forwards…take a moment, and then spread some real Christmas cheer.

 

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