5 Boxing Day Furniture Shopping Tips for Canadians in 2018

5 Boxing Day Furniture Shopping Tips for Canadians in 2018

The Christmas holiday season is undoubtedly one of the most stressful times of the year. Making time to spend with family and friends, whittling your Christmas list down, hosting and attending parties -- fun though it may be, this season can definitely take its toll. For those of us strong enough to make our way through it, we're rewarded with the single greatest retail event of the year: Boxing Day. Since you'll likely be busy right through to the end of December, now is the perfect time to revisit those Pinterest boards you've been gushing over and bring some of those ideas to life!

These Boxing Day tips will help you find the best deals as you work towards creating your dream home without breaking the bank.

Make A Plan

Santa Claus doesn't do anything without a list, and neither should you. If you have a specific goal in mind for Boxing Day, it isn't a good idea to head to the store without a concrete plan of attack.

Making a list of the items you want and where you might find them is a great place to start. If you haven't already, now is also probably a good time to start following or to register with your favourite brands and retailers online so that you can be among the first to know about discounts, promotions, or special buys you might want to take advantage of. If you come across any promo codes online, be sure to write them down so you don't forget to use them as you fervently add items to your cart.

Next, devote some time cross-referencing the items on your list with some online reviews. Doing so can save you valuable time if it turns out that the item you wanted doesn't come as highly recommended as you expected. It can also help you prioritize your time and financial resources. If you're purchasing larger items like an area rug or a sectional sofa, it's also very important to devote some time to make sure your purchase will physically fit in the desired space. Many online furniture retailers have tools that will help you visualize the item in your home and provide you with specific dimensions.

Decide on a Budget and Stick to it

It can be very easy to get carried away on Boxing Day, and it's no wonder; each aisle or web page you visit contains hundreds of items you can potentially splurge on. With your plan in place, you can now determine a budget for how much you're comfortable spending. Remember that taking advantage of a deal isn't worth it if it's going cause distress once credit card bill comes due in January. There are many online tools that can help you understand how much you can spend comfortably given your other financial obligations.

Alternately, if you anticipate spending a lot on Boxing Day, consider setting a bit aside each month earlier in the year. This will help you buy more without having to worry about incurring significant interest on your credit card.

Another great way to supplement your Boxing Day budget is to request gift cards for your favourite retailers as gifts from friends and family. On the more covert side, consider returning unwanted holiday gifts and apply the credit towards something you actually want (this one can be tricky to pull off, so beware!)

If you belong to a retailer's loyalty program, you might be able to cash in some of your points to defray a portion of the item's cost. Lastly, if you're purchasing online or having the item delivered to your home, remember to factor this cost into your budget as well.

Get to the Store/Mall Early

Yes, it will be nice to have a good parking spot that will allow you to easily load up your loot, but arriving early is more important in terms of being able to take advantage of deals. Some stores have been known to open their doors at 6 a.m., and if you think they still have plenty of stock at 9 a.m., you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. For online retailers, you may have to set your alarm even earlier, as many e-commerce sites have deals starting at midnight. One nifty trick to try is to load your online cart with all the items you anticipate buying, to make checking out that much easier. Note that some companies will clear carts prior to the start of a sales event, so take a screenshot of the items so you don't forget anything.

Work Alongside a Like-Minded Shopper

There are many great reasons to go shopping (whether at a brick and mortar location or online) with someone else. First of all, two sets of eyes are better than one; which means that if you miss an incredible deal, chances are they'll see it. It's also beneficial if you want to employ a divide and conquer strategy; since you can't be in two places at once, you can divide the shopping tasks to maximize your chances of getting everything on your respective lists.

The same holds true for shopping online. Armed with a computer, you can both make purchases simultaneously in the comfort of your home. All of these reasons aside, having a trusted friend who can provide their honest opinion can help you make difficult buying decisions easier, and help you stick to your budget.

Don't Forget to Keep it Fun

Some people get carried away when they come face to face with a good deal. Sometimes, a person's worst qualities come out as they make a mad dash for the last large screen television or food processor. Even though Boxing Day is all about the deal, it's still a part of the holidays. Enjoy shopping with your friend or family member, bring some snacks, make time for a Christmas inspired coffee, and take it all in. If you're shopping along, make sure your MP3 player is loaded with your favourite songs/holiday music. Most importantly, keep your holiday spirit alive, no matter how crazy the day gets.

Hopefully, these five tips will help you get the most out of your Boxing Day experience. It's important to save your hard earned cash, but it's equally important to feel good and happy about the money you do decide to spend.