What month should you start Christmas shopping?

For the best balance of selection, deals, and stress reduction, you should start Christmas shopping in October. Starting in early autumn helps avoid holiday shipping delays and allows you to spread costs. Many shoppers also buy throughout the year, with key sales starting in September and culminating with Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

What month do people start Christmas shopping?

The Christmas shopping season can start as early as September, and some consumers begin even earlier than that. In 2025, nearly one-third of Christmas shoppers in the United States stated they were intending to start their shopping in October, while only six percent of respondents were planning to start in December.

What is the 4 rule for Christmas?

What is the 4 Gift Rule (Want, Need, Wear, Read)? The 4 gift rule is very simple: you get each of your children something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.

How early is too early to start Christmas shopping?

Early October and November: Ideal for Avoiding the Rush

Starting your Christmas shopping in early October or November not only gives you a jumpstart but also means you'll have a better selection of products. During these months, retailers frequently introduce holiday sales to attract early shoppers.

Is October too early for Christmas shopping?

Experts recommend starting holiday shopping as early as September or October to spread out spending and avoid stress. Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are hosting large sales events in early October. Creating a detailed gift list and setting a firm budget are key strategies to prevent overspending.

When should you start Christmas shopping?

What is the 5 rule for Christmas?

The "5 Things for Christmas Rule" (or "Five Gift Rule") is a popular gift-giving guideline that limits each recipient to five thoughtful presents, typically structured as: something they Want, something they Need, something to Wear, something to Read, and something special/to Share (or Do). This method encourages quality over quantity, focusing on meaningful items that cover different aspects of a person's life rather than endless toys or clutter.
 

Is October too early to put up a Christmas tree?

So, is it too soon to put up your Christmas tree in October? We say: absolutely not. If the thought of glowing lights and hand-crafted ornaments brings joy, then now is the perfect time. Let your tree be a canvas that celebrates the entire season—from the harvest of October to the festivities of December.

Are there better deals on Black Friday or after Christmas?

Generally, Black Friday has better deals, especially for tech and popular gifts, offering deeper discounts and wider selection, while post-Christmas (Boxing Day/January) sales focus more on clearing surplus stock, sometimes with bigger percentage drops on specific items but less variety, making Black Friday the smarter choice for most if you want the best prices on specific items before Christmas. 

When's the best time to do Christmas shopping?

The best time to shop is, in fact, early — between 9am and 10am. This is probably not the most surprising result, because it is when the shops are likely to be emptiest so checkout queues are shortest and workers most available.

How early is too early to set up for Christmas?

Take It One Holiday at a Time

“Anytime before midnight of Thanksgiving is too early to decorate,” insists Wendy Kerrigan, founder of Atelier Design in New Orleans. “Filling the house with Christmas decorations too soon really takes away from the beauty of Thanksgiving, moving your mind into the bustle of Christmas.”

What is the most popular gift at Christmas?

The most popular Christmas gifts consistently include practical items like clothing, money, and gift cards, alongside personal care products (cosmetics/perfume), food/drinks, and electronics. "Experience gifts," such as event tickets or classes, are also highly desired, while toys, homeware gadgets, and books remain top categories, showing a mix of tangible goods and memorable activities as favorites. 

Can I gift my 3 children $3,000 each?

It's important to note that this annual exemption is your total allowance for a given tax year, which means you could give all £3,000 to one child, or split it between several children.. Note that this is a per person allowance, so both parents may gift £3,000 each per year tax-free.

How many gifts should you get your partner for Christmas?

It's easy to get carried away at Christmas and overspend or buy gifts just for the sake of it. To keep gift-giving thoughtful (and budget-friendly), lots of people swear by the five gift rule.

What are the worst months for retail sales?

January and February are typically considered the slowest months for retail as consumers recover from holiday spending and focus on post-holiday savings. According to statistics, e-commerce sales experienced a significant decline during the summer months, with a drop of up to 30% compared to the high sales of December.

Is it better to go shopping before or after Christmas?

Like winter clothing, Christmas decorations don't budge much in price until the big day is over. “Christmas trees, lights, decor, wrapping paper, and more will all be 50% to 75% off within a few weeks after Christmas," says Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom. "Buying ahead for next year will save you a bundle.”

When to start buying xmas presents?

When do Britons do their Christmas shopping? Overall, two thirds (67%) of those buying Christmas presents say they have typically begun their shopping by the end of November, including 10% who begin in October and 14% who have made a start even earlier than this.

What is the 5 gift rule for Christmas?

The 5 Gift Rule for Christmas is a popular, simplified approach to gift-giving, limiting each person to five presents based on categories: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, and something to do/experience, with variations like "something to share" or "something to use". This tradition helps reduce holiday stress, clutter, and overspending by encouraging more thoughtful, purposeful, and experience-focused gifts rather than excessive materialism, promoting gratitude and mindfulness. 

Where is Best for Christmas shopping in the UK?

For the best UK Christmas shopping, choose London for iconic department stores (Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges) and Oxford Street, or major cities like Manchester/Liverpool for diverse options; for unique markets, head to Winchester's Cathedral Market or Covent Garden, while smaller towns like Canterbury and Llandeilo offer charming independent shops and festive atmospheres. Large shopping centres like Bluewater and Metrocentre are great for convenience.
 

What is the Christmas gift trend in 2026?

• Outdoor Games.
• Paddling Pools.
• Slides.
• Sand & Water Tables.
• Trampolines.
• Inflatable Toys.
• Playhouses.
• All Outdoor Toys.

What is the biggest sale of the year in the UK?

The biggest sales events in the UK are Black Friday/Cyber Monday (late November), offering massive discounts across tech, fashion, and home goods, followed closely by the post-Christmas Boxing Day sales, a traditional peak for deep discounts on everything from electronics to fashion. Other major sales include the Summer Sales (June/July) and January Sales, plus back-to-school deals in August/September. 

Are there any big sales in December?

December big sales primarily revolve around Boxing Day (December 26th), which kicks off major post-Christmas clearance events, blending into extended January Sales with deep discounts on fashion, tech, and homeware, often starting online before Christmas Day and continuing for weeks, with retailers like Amazon, Next, and John Lewis participating in these massive clearance opportunities.
 

Is it worth waiting for January sales?

You should wait for the January sales if you're looking for big discounts on seasonal items (winter clothes, holiday stock), tech, and home goods, as prices are often lower than Black Friday for many products. However, be cautious, have a list of needed items to avoid impulse buys, compare prices, and be prepared for limited stock on popular items, as it's a clearance period.
 

Why are people decorating for Christmas in October?

They go on to say that this 'happy rush' is good for our general wellbeing and another study concludes that people who put up decorations earlier are more friendly and approachable!

Is November 1st too early to put up a Christmas tree?

“It's still a matter of preference, but many people prefer putting up their tree right after Thanksgiving, signaling the transition to the Christmas season,” the company says. Its report adds, “The most common period is any time [from] late November to the first week of December.”

Is the 12th night on 5th or 6th January?

If Christmas Day is the first of the twelve days, then Twelfth Night would be on January 5, the eve of Epiphany. If December 26, the day after Christmas, is the first day, then Twelfth Night falls on January 6, the evening of Epiphany itself.