New Year Sales!
So, the New Year sales. We all know the drill. Christmas Day has barely even started and already we are getting emails from all of the online stores we have shopped at during the year and been foolish enough to subscribe to! It’s sale time. And before you’ve even eaten your Christmas dinner, the consumer machine is cranking into life and making you think about all of these things that you absolutely need. Especially now they are 50% off!
I am someone that has historically made the mistake of spending quite a lot of money in the sales on stuff that I really didn’t need, or even truly want. Clothes that sat in my wardrobe unworn for the rest of the year. Shoes that were on trend for about a month. Makeup that didn’t suit me.
Spending wisely.
With some major savings goals I am being much more circumspect in how I spend my money (and when). But I haven’t totally rejected sales. As long as you go into them with a game plan, you can make the most of them. You have to have a clear vision of what you need and what your budget is. But you can make some great savings.
Last year for example, I had come to the conclusion that the feather duvets in my home had reached their end life. I wanted larger duvets and I wanted them to be goose down. Not a cheap premise. So I researched which brand I wanted to buy, and the prices. Needless to say – they were way beyond what I was prepared to pay! Come the 1st of January however, they were half price. Which meant that I could get two of these mega cosy, extra large duvets for the price of one. I bought some simple white covers for them which were also half price.
This is an investment that will last me at least the next 15 years. So for waiting about 5 months for the new year sales, and being specific about what I actually wanted, I have now got an item in my home that will give me practicality and pleasure for the next decade at least. I have strong feelings about being comfortable in bed. And let me tell you, every time I slip under that duvet and feel how light and cosy it is, I smile thinking about the crazy deal I got on them.
Preparing for celebrations!
I also have developed the habit of buying up little treats like luxurious gloves, scarfs, candles as next year’s Birthday and Christmas presents for my friends and family. When you start buying little gifts in January you get a double feeling of victory. You have saved money, and you have a safe stock of gifts so you don’t stress out when it’s time for present giving! Not to mention you get to give people even nicer gifts than you could afford if you shopped pre-Christmas when prices are their highest.
I also like to buy myself some of the items that I know I’ll need in the coming year. We all have those essentials, and desirables, that we don’t buy because we 1) don’t want to spend too much and 2) don’t want to compromise on quality!
So here is my New Year sale Wishlist!
Something for the home.
- You might need a fresh duvet, or bedlinen. Or an upgrade for your kitchen kettle – or a new appliance like a blender/juicer/food processor. This is the perfect time to hit the sales with your new item in mind and get it at a great reduction. Make sure it is something that you really need though. And do a bit of research – it’s worth comparing what different stores are selling items for online – you can often even make savings between sales!
Cox & Cox Indoor Outdoor Lights 
I have a fairly major passion for delicate, twinkling little fairy lights. At any time of the year to be honest. But I am very picky about what kind of lights they are. I search for warm, candle-like, gold toned white lights. I can’t bear the fluorescent white lights that you often find in stores in the high street. And Cox & Cox is one of my favourite finds. They are super expensive though. And I never buy anything from their online store unless it’s on sale. These will replace a set in my bedroom that have died!
Something for next Christmas.
- Just after one Christmas is the perfect time to swoop into the sales and get some beautiful decorations or wrapping paper for an absolute steal. Whether it’s a wonderful wreath for your front door, Christmas lights or baubles, or even a new artificial Christmas tree! This way you get next year’s decorations totally upgraded, especially if you stick with more classic themes than yearly trends. And really, Christmas is the time for the classics isn’t it?
Linea Moon & Stars Wrapping Paper
Wrapping up presents at Christmas is half the fun for me! I just love the atmosphere when I’ve got all of my gifts for people collected together, with wrapping paper and ribbon and pretty little trinkets to decorate them with. It’s the anticipation of the looks on peoples faces, and the happiness I hope they will feel when they unwrap their gifts. So one of the things I collect in the new year sales is beautiful wrapping paper, like this one from House of Fraser. It’s another one of those things that I won’t have to think about sorting come next Christmas!
Something for the gift stash.
- Okay, so I have a gift stash. I collect beautiful bits and bobs throughout the year; in the sales, at craft fairs, in unusual little shops I find. All to get a unique and precious hoard of gifts ready and waiting for celebrations for my friends and family. I cannot recommend this technique highly enough. It means that you never have to scramble for last minute presents, and you get to rest back with the warm glow of satisfaction when you can produce the perfect gift on a moment’s notice. Smug? Perhaps. But deservedly so!
Mesa Rain Candle by Nineteen Candles
Lots of my friends adore scented candles for their homes (as do I). This one has the benefit of an unusual and natural scent, non-GMO soy wax, a long burn time and a gorgeous ceramic container! What more could you want? These make perfect gifts for the stash because they don’t go off, they are classic and timeless, and they are always an indulgent treat that people wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. Always an essential criteria for a good gift in my book.
Something for yourself!
- So you’ve treated your home, you’ve gotten prepared for next Christmas, and you’ve even gotten a head start on gifting your friends and family. Now is the time to give yourself a treat! Again, I try to make sure that I’m not making crazy purchases that are based purely on ‘sale mania’. We all know the feeling of seeing that 50% off label and buying something that we hate within a day.
I have a real love for being cosy. And living in England means that for most of the year (sometimes even in the summer!) that calls for a jumper or cardigan. My preferred option for a warm layer is always cashmere. Pricey, yes. But cosy and breathable at the same time, totally soft on my skin, and not bulky at all. Sometimes I want a jumper so chunky I could disappear into it. Most days I would like to appear at least vaguely human-shaped. This sleek v-neck is perfect, it will go with any outfit and keep me cosy and smiling all year long!
So that’s my current wishlist for the New Year sales. Keeping to my plan of buying things that are necessary, useful, and beautiful investments means that I have zero buyers remorse and maximum return on my spending. How do you shop during sale season? Have you got any clever tactics or strategies for making the most of them? I’d love to hear your ideas!
You can always comment or contact me privately to ask any questions or suggest further blog posts!
Love, Isobel x
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Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash
