#ad – this article is in partnership with TopCashback
Every year we promise ourselves we’ll be organised. Every year, a good chunk of us end up in a shopping centre on the 23rd, holding two of the same toy and no idea which kid it’s for.
This year, let’s do it differently. Here’s a calm, dad-tested plan for present shopping, with a bit of money coming back to you along the way.
Start with a list (and a number)
Before you open a single website, sit down with a cuppa and write it all out:
- Who you’re buying for. Kids, partner, parents, in-laws, teachers, the neighbour who takes your parcels in.
- What you’re thinking for each. Even a rough idea is better than nothing.
- A budget per person. Write the number down. It’s much harder to overspend when it’s staring back at you.
Add it all up. If the total makes you wince, now is the time to trim, not in mid-December.
Ask the kids early, then ask again
Kids change their minds faster than the weather. Ask for their list now, then check in a couple of weeks later. Whatever survives both rounds is probably a keeper. And if there’s one big-ticket item, consider making it a joint present from the family.
Shop online through TopCashback
This is the easy win. Most of the big UK toy shops, department stores and online retailers are on TopCashback. Instead of going straight to the shop, you:
- Head to TopCashback (sign up here: https://bit.ly/4yfVj8k).
- Search for the retailer.
- Click through and buy as normal.
Cashback then tracks to your account. TopCashback members average £300 in their accounts annually, and Christmas is when a big chunk of that can build up. New members also get a £10 bonus on a £10+ spend.
Compare before you click “buy”
- Check a couple of retailers. The same toy can vary a fair bit between shops.
- Look at the total, not just the price. Delivery charges can quickly undo a bargain.
- Factor in the cashback. Sometimes the shop that looks a bit pricier works out cheaper once cashback is included.
Spread it out
Buying a present or two each week from now means the cost is spread across several pay packets rather than one terrifying weekend. It also means you’re not relying on last-minute delivery slots.
Hide them properly
A practical one, but important. Pick a hiding spot, tell your partner, and write it down. Every dad has a story about finding a present in March.
Don’t forget the little extras
Batteries. Wrapping paper. Sellotape. Gift tags. These are the bits that sneak up on you on Christmas Eve. Add them to your list now and pick them up with your main shop.
A gentle reminder
The best presents aren’t always the priciest. Ask most of us what we remember from childhood Christmases and it’s usually the time spent together, not the box it came in.
Get ahead today
Grab your list, set your budget and sign up to TopCashback before you start. You’ll thank yourself in January. And if you’ve got a top tip for present shopping, share it with the DadsNet community. We’re all in this together.
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