The jingle-jangle you hear during the holidays is more likely the money spilling from your pockets than the sound of sleigh bells. According to VISA, the average Canadian family spends almost $1,000 on pre-holiday shopping. By Boxing Day, we’re feeling the pinch but still manage to spend an average of $320 each. So if you’re headed for the post-holiday poorhouse, here’s the good news: there are bargains out there, both before and after the holidays. To ho-ho-hold on to a little more of your cash, follow these tips for where to buy what ““ and when to buy it.

---

Dollar Stores
WHAT TO BUY From gift bags and wrapping paper to decorations, stocking-stuffers and inexpensive mugs or tins, dollar stores carry a bonanza of items ““ usually for a buck or just slightly more.

WHAT TO AVOID You won’t find good-quality, long-lasting toys or name-brand goods. “There’s nothing appropriate for children under three,” says Adrienne Goddard, a senior research executive with Toronto-based market-research firm Millward Brown Canada. “Too many small pieces.

WHEN TO SHOP Dollar stores can sell things cheap by buying manufacturer over-runs and discontinued items, usually in large quantities. What that means is that the selection changes regularly. Check in often.

SHOPPING TIP

• Don’t assume you’ll get a better price at the dollar store. You may find equally cheap, but higher-quality items by buying in bulk or on sale at your local big box or department store. Know your prices.

---

Department Stores
WHAT TO BUY Generous refund policies and cross-Canada locations make department stores excellent places to purchase gifts and other wares. Look for name-brand and house-brand clothing and sporting goods, as well
as housewares, perfumes and deals on electronics and appliances.

WHAT TO AVOID Anything that’s not on sale ““ unless the item’s perfect or leaving it behind means you’ll spend precious days looking for another.

WHEN TO SHOP Leading up to the holidays, look for deals on featured items like perfume, wallets and jewellery. Last-minute shoppers will find discounted merchandise even a few days before Christmas, and during Boxing Week. White Sales (on towels, pillows, linens, etc.) and appliance sales usually take place in January.

SHOPPING TIPS

• Buying a big-ticket item, like furniture or a digital camera? Purchase during a scratch-and-save event, like those held at Zellers and the Bay, and score a discount of 10 per cent or more. Sign up for an in-house credit card and you may get another 10 per cent off on your first purchase. A word of caution: do yourself a favour and pay the card off immediately, then cancel it to avoid paying interest as high as 28 per cent.
• Seek out “Special Buys” or “Power Buys.” Department stores often buy merchandise over-runs from their own suppliers at deep discounts, passing the savings on to you.
• Gift cards from department stores can be particularly useful. An hbc gift card, for example, is valid at The Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters or Design Depot ““ talk about variety!

---

Warehouse Clubs
WHAT TO BUY Costco and Sam’s Club offer fantastic bargains on everything from bulk appetizer collections to furniture and appliances. “Often, prices really are better at these places,” says Vancouver financial planner Diane McCurdy. “They rely on bulk buying to get lower prices, which they pass on to the consumer.”

WHAT TO AVOID You’ll pay $50 for a membership to Costco and $35 for Sam’s Club. So unless you’re buying a big-ticket item or planning to shop there regularly, look for deals elsewhere. Make sure you do your research ““ things aren’t always cheaper at a warehouse store.

WHEN TO SHOP Except for seasonal items, prices aren’t discounted after Christmas, so don’t bother rushing to Costco on Boxing Day.

SHOPPING TIPS

• Make a list. “Warehouse stores are excellent marketers,” says McCurdy. “Most people I know go in for a few things and come out $200 lighter because they buy some neat thing they didn’t even know they wanted.”
• It’s only a deal if you’re going to use the item. Buying large quantities? Arrange to split the package ““ and the cost ““ with a friend, or freeze fresh foods like meat in individual portions.
• Avoid guilt-buying: “Gee, we drove all this way so we might as well stock up on those two-ton vats of pickles!”

 

---

Big box stores
WHAT TO BUY Looking for dvds, toys, Christmas outfits, cosmetics, jewellery and even prescription or non-prescription medicine? It’s hard to beat the prices at general merchandiser Big Box stores like Wal-Mart. For specials on everything from holiday decorations to tools, try Canadian Tire, rona, Toys “R” Us, Home Depot and Best Buy.

WHAT TO AVOID Paying full price, except at stores that focus on low prices, such as Wal-Mart.

WHEN TO SHOP Take advantage of loss-leaders (items priced artificially low to get you into the store) in the run-up to the holidays…and get there fast or you run the risk of missing out.

SHOPPING TIPS

• Check the flyers. “Big box stores are destination stores,” says Goddard. “They need to encourage you to drive out there with advertised specials.”
• Think ahead. You’ll find gift wrap, cards and decorations at 50 per cent to 70 per cent off in January. Why not stock up for next year?
• Look for lowest-price guarantees like those offered by Best Buy. If you can find an item cheaper elsewhere, they’ll match or beat the price.
• Did the gift you paid full price for last week go on sale this week? Return to the store, bill in hand, and there’s a chance they’ll match the sale price.

---

Online retailers
WHAT TO BUY The good news: you can avoid jockeying for a parking spot at the mall and still find bargains on everything from golf clubs to computers. The bad news: there are a few other complications to keep in mind.

WHAT TO AVOID Many online purveyors hail from the U.S. and, assuming they actually ship to Canada, costs can be high. Calculating whether you’ve really got a deal? Account for shipping costs, currency exchange and duty. Or, buy from a Canadian site.

WHEN TO SHOP Order well in advance during the busy holiday season.

Shopping Tips

• Around the holidays and afterwards, online bookstores and other retailers often offer free delivery for orders above a certain dollar amount. Have gifts delivered directly to out-of-towners and save yourself the postage.
• Department stores frequently deliver to the nearest store, eliminating shipping costs.
• Check out bid sites like ebay.ca, but make sure you start with a price in mind and stick to it.
• Go to a site’s outlet section. At indigo.chapters.ca, for example, you’ll find a selection of books at up to 80 per cent off. A recent kid-friendly find: The Ultimate Sleepover Pack, complete with body art and decals at $1.99, down from $13.50.

---

BOXING DAY DILEMMA
The malls are packed, lineups are lengthy and patience is short. Is it really worth shopping on Boxing Day? Traditionally, it has been the day when retailers clear out unwanted Christmas inventory for year-end. But now, some retailers actually order merchandise for Boxing Day as early as August, according to Adrienne Goddard, a senior research executive with Toronto-based market-research firm Millward Brown Canada. “They will offer those items at deep discounts to get people into the stores and help clear out the winter clothing and extra toys, so if you don’t mind fighting the crowds, there are bargains to be had.” Although the traditional “Boxing Day” has expanded into “Boxing Week,” Goddard advises getting to the stores as soon as possible to maximize your selection and avoid wading through discarded items and packaging.