How to get Christmas shopping sorted during Black Friday

Before you start shopping, take a moment to think about everything you'll need for Christmas. A simple checklist is a great way to stay organised and make sure nothing gets forgotten. Start by writing down everyone you're planning to buy for, from family and friends to teachers, neighbours and anyone else you'd like to surprise. Then think about the other Christmas essentials you'll need, including decorations, gift wrapping and entertaining must-haves.

Try dividing your list into a few easy categories:

• Christmas gifts:

  Presents for family, friends, kids and loved ones.

• Festive decorations:

  Christmas trees, baubles, lights and home décor.

• Christmas entertaining:

  Dinnerware, serving essentials and table decorations.

• Finishing touches:

  Gift bags, wrapping paper, ribbons and Christmas cards.

Having everything in one place makes it easier to see what you've already organised and what you still need.

Plan your Christmas spending early

A little planning can help you feel more confident about your Christmas shopping. Before Black Friday, decide how much you'd like to spend across your Christmas essentials. Think about the number of gifts you're buying, any festive decorating you'd like to do and whether you're hosting Christmas celebrations. You might find it helpful to set aside an amount for each part of your Christmas preparations. This gives you a clearer picture of what you're looking for when browsing Black Friday offers. It's also worth thinking about which purchases matter most. Perhaps you're planning to refresh your Christmas decorations, find something special for the kids or get your entertaining essentials ready. Whatever Christmas looks like for you, planning your spending ahead of time can help you shop with purpose.

One of the easiest ways to prepare for Black Friday is to have your Christmas gift ideas ready before you start shopping. Rather than deciding what to buy on the day, take some time to think about the people you're shopping for. Consider their interests, favourite activities and the little things that bring them joy. Don't forget the smaller surprises, either! Stocking fillers, Secret Santa presents and thoughtful little extras are worth adding to your list early.

Our tip: Keep a note of two or three gift ideas for each person. That way, you'll have a few options ready when Black Friday arrives.

Get organised before Black Friday begins

Want to make Black Friday shopping feel easier? A little preparation before the event can make all the difference!

Once you've created your Christmas shopping checklist, take some time to think about what you're looking for. Whether it's gifts for the kids or thoughtful presents for loved ones, knowing what you need will help you shop with confidence when Black Friday arrives. Think about the people you're buying for, their interests and any preferences you need to keep in mind, like clothing sizes, favourite colours or hobbies. Having a few gift ideas ready for each person will make choosing presents that little bit easier. It's also helpful to decide how you'd prefer to shop. Whether you're planning to visit us in-store or shop online, knowing what works for you means you'll be ready when the event begins. Start with our Black Friday page to explore event information and participating products when they're announced.

Your list is ready, your gift ideas are sorted and you've decided what you need. Now it's time to put that preparation into action!

When Black Friday begins, start with the items you've marked as priorities. These might include presents you've already chosen or products you've been planning to purchase. Check product details carefully before adding anything to your basket. It's worth making sure you've selected the right size, colour or style. If you're shopping online, check available delivery and collection options so you can choose what suits your Christmas plans. It's also a good idea to keep track of what you've purchased as you go. Simply tick items off your Christmas shopping checklist and note anything you still need.

Get your Christmas wrapping sorted

Once you've chosen your gifts, why not get a head start on wrapping them too? Having your wrapping essentials ready makes it easier to prepare presents throughout December, rather than leaving everything until Christmas Eve. Before shopping, check what you already have at home. You might have leftover wrapping paper, ribbons or gift bags that are ready to use again. Then make a list of anything else you'll need, such as gift tags, cards or boxes for presents that are a little tricky to wrap. You can also create a simple wrapping station at home. Keep your paper, scissors, tape and ribbons together in a basket or storage box so everything's easy to find. If you have a few gifts ready, consider wrapping them early and adding a name tag straight away.

With your Black Friday Christmas shopping complete, the next step is keeping everything organised until the celebrations begin. Choose a safe place at home to store presents, away from curious little eyes. Storage boxes or baskets can help keep gifts together and make them easier to find when it's time to wrap. Keep your Christmas shopping checklist handy and mark off each gift as it's purchased and wrapped. It's also worth checking your remaining Christmas essentials. Do you have everything you need for decorating, entertaining and those final festive touches? If there's anything left on your list, you'll know exactly what to look for during your next shop. The wonderful thing about preparing early is having more time for the activities you love, whether that's baking Christmas treats, decorating the tree or enjoying festive traditions with family and friends.