Operation SANTA: How To Shop Smart This Christmas

What does Miley Cyrus eat at Christmas? Twerky.

Terrible cracker jokes …

Ungodly amounts of tinsel...

Christmas lights blinding you...

A plethora of food you will be "forced" to consume...

It all sounds nightmarish, but nothing is quite as nightmarish as the shopping. We scour endless shelves in the hope of finding a gift for that one cousin who has everything, or the grandparent who always buys you the same thing each year. Eventually, we overspend and our strange uncles end up with an oddly-shaped beer mug... again.

How can you avoid being called a Scrooge and not entirely empty your wallet? I give you, Operation S.A.N.T.A.

1. Study prices

Be aggressive and study those catalogues like they were finals. A bit of effort goes a long way, especially with fragrances and makeup. You'll notice that stores try to be ultra-competitive during the festive season, so if you can find a store that price-matches, take advantage! Favourites such as Bunnings, Harvey Norman and Officeworks all pledge to price beat.

Be warned. Online shopping can be great for budget shoppers but always check the postage! Not only should you check how much delivery will cost on top of the item, but also how long it will take to ship. Are they estimating deliveries before Christmas Day?

(Oh, and, maybe take a peek at those Student Edge deals too...)

2. Assess your budget

By this point in Operation S.A.N.T.A., you should have a clear idea of how much all these presents will cost you. Make a list and work out just how much you have to spend and write down where you've found the cheapest price of the gift. This guide will help you remain focused and collected.

3. Never forget your budget

Never.

Forget.

The.

Budget.

When the bright lights of a David Jones Christmas display blind you, remember the budget. When you go into a store and think “Oh… there’s only a few dollars difference,” remember the budget. When the gift packs and add-ons look tempting, remember the budget. A few dollars here and there might not sound like a lot, but over the course of your Christmas shop, they will add up and your wallet will suffer.

4. Think about sentiment

The truth is a lot of people care more about the sentiment and less about the price tag. Sentiment can be rich in love and cheap in cost. This is when a Pinterest addiction has its benefits. DIY gifts can be cool (and not nearly as cheesy as you might assume). Think outside of the box with a terrarium kit, make some sugar scrubs or release the inner child with a fort kit.

5. Ask the family

The worst thing you could do is give a gift that will never be used or isn't wanted. It'll get pushed to the back of a cupboard and just collect dust. If you're unsure of what to get someone, ask their family and friends. They may have dropped hints in conversations or they may have an interest you're unaware of. It's your safest option and will save you from the panic.

You should now be equipped to take on Operation S.A.N.T.A.

Go forth, my children. Save those wallets for New Year’s partying. Do not be manipulated into buying expensive gifts by flashy lights and old men in red suits.

Oh, and most importantly…

Cassie Ngurah is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about our contributors program.