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Wondering how to save money this season on festival shopping? Here are 7 easy ways to shop on a budget!
How to save money on festival shopping
By Prerna Malik
October is here! And yes, if you’re like me, you’re gearing up for all the festivity that Diwali, Dushera, Bhai Dooj and the other festivals bring.
While festivals are a wonderful way to celebrate our traditions, heritage and of course, our family, they can also be a drain on the budget. The shopping for gifts, greeting cards, decorations, sweets, clothes and more can literally break the bank.
However, there are ways to save on shopping for the festive season without cutting into your style and celebrations. Here are 7 easy ways to have a fun but budget-friendly festival shopping spree:
First things first; always be a planned shopper. Buying gifts and clothes randomly will usually end up in you spending more and getting less value for your money. Instead, if you make lists you’ll know exactly what you want when you go to the stores.
This tip alone has saved me a lot of money and stress. I don’t forget anyone and anything, don’t waste fuel in multiple trips and get the best deal on what I need.
Mumbai-based Nidhi Dorairaj Bruce, mom and writer at Parentous says, ”I try to make an advance list of things to be bought, use friends’ recommendations to good use here (exhibitions in the city, super discount sales etc.) to plan out which are the shops/outlets I need to be visiting.”
The months of October through December are when most stores hold the end-of-year and festive season sales. Once you know what you need, hit the sales. I personally prefer visiting stores that I visit regularly since that helps me assess how good a sale is. Are the prices really slashed? Or is it just a ‘fake’ sale?
Hyderabad – based Poonam Maria Prem, of Mommygyan shares, “We usually stock my kids clothes, for the next couple of sizes when our favourite brands have genuine sales eg. Mothercare. When they have a sale they mean it, it is a sale. “
The earlier you start with your shopping, the more money you’ll save. Armed with your lists, keep an eye out for good deals on everything you need.
Delhi-based Swapna Thomas, who blogs at The Mom Views and Maria Prem, both endorse shopping online to save on clothes. Thomas says, “Most online shopping stores have special discounts on festive clothing so one can use that.”
Thomas also advises using what you have and brightening it up with accessories instead of buying complete outfits every season. This is a view that is also supported by others, such as Vandana Mahajan Khemka, blogger at Mumsphere who says, “For clothes, I buy lots of statement necklaces, belts, scarves; they help me create a new look.”
Khemka also supports shopping online and says that she follows her favourite stores on Facebook or by email. She gets notified as soon as they hold sales, and she can drop in on the first day.
Check out factory outlets to get discounted yet branded outfits. Most cities have markets dedicated to export surplus clothes as well, which allows you to get some really cool clothes at pocket-friendly prices.
Hypermarkets are great for getting deals on supplies needed to make festive sweets such as sugar, rice and oil. Plus, they also offer discounts on bulk buys.
Bulk orders for sweets or greeting cards is a great way to save money. If you don’t need a lot, ask a friend or two if they’d like to place the order for the sweets with you and you’ll be in a better position to negotiate with the vendor. However, remember to negotiate hard.
The festive season is when sweets and greeting cards sell well so you may have to scout around for the best combination of quality and price.
This is something that we started doing recently and it is quite lovely. Since we all use our credit cards, how about turning the points that we earn on them into gift vouchers that can be sent to extended family or even, gift items such as perfumes, handbags and more!
Yes, the festival season can be the perfect time to go green as well. Reuse what you have to brighten up the décor. Old silk sarees can be turned into gorgeous curtains or cushion covers. Empty glass bottles can be recycled into lamps and fairy light holders. Have some spare coffee cups lying around? Turn them into one-of-a-kind homemade candles perfect for gifting. The best part about reusing and recycling is that you often, end up spending next to nothing but the impact is immense. Perfect, isn’t that?!
How do YOU save money when shopping for Diwali and other festive occasions? Share with me in the comments.
*Photo credit: diametrik (Used under the Creative Commons Attribution License.)
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