A Canadian's Guide to Holiday Shopping on a Budget

Holiday shopping adds up quickly, especially with shipping, taxes and the temptation of extra "while it's on sale" purchases. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping the season affordable.

Set a Total Budget First

Before browsing a single deal, decide on a total amount you're comfortable spending across everyone on your list. It's much easier to say no to an impulse buy when you know exactly how much room is left in the budget.

Make a List and Prioritize

Write down who you're shopping for and roughly what you'd like to get them, in order of priority. If a deal doesn't come through on something near the bottom of the list, it's easier to let it go without feeling like you've missed out.

Time Big Purchases Around Black Friday and Cyber Monday

If you already know you need a specific big-ticket item — a laptop, a major appliance, a TV — Black Friday and Cyber Monday are typically when Canadian retailers offer their deepest discounts of the year on that kind of product. Watch prices in the weeks leading up to the weekend so you know a real deal when you see one.

Watch Shipping Costs and Delivery Times

A great sale price can be eaten up by shipping fees, especially on items from outside Canada, which can also carry customs or duty charges. Check the total cost at checkout, and order early enough that standard shipping will arrive in time for the holidays.

Use Gift Guides for Ideas, Not Just Deals

If you're not sure what to buy someone, a good gift guide can narrow things down by recipient or budget range before you start comparing prices — often faster than browsing an entire store's catalogue. See our Gift Guides for a starting point.

Don't Let a Discount Talk You Into an Extra Purchase

The single easiest way to overspend during the holidays is buying something because it's discounted, not because it was on your list. A deal is only good value if it's something you were going to buy anyway.