Tis the season. Between all the holly jolly visits from family, festive parties (cheers big ears!) and endless to-do lists, it’s no wonder the holiday season can be one of the most wonderful – and overwhelming – times of the year. And let’s not forget the gift hunt – finding the perfect present can feel like an extra layer of angst for the holidays, especially when you have no idea where to start. Our recommendation? Let our Christmas shopping tips be your guide.
From scoring the best deals to avoiding the eleventh-hour hustle, we’ve got the best tips for a smooth, successful holiday shopping experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find the best discounts to save money, when to buy those coveted items and how to avoid online scams. And let’s not forget the most important part – making sure your internet can keep up with your shopping spree.
With Superloop’s reliable internet, breeze through your shopping list and still have plenty of time to enjoy that holiday magic. From finding the perfect gift while watching Home Alone or finalising plans between screenings of The Grinch and Love Actually, Superloop keeps you connected so you can connect with the people you love. Bundle your internet with a Superloop SIM-only plan and save even more with our high-speed plans so you can spend less time waiting for pages to load and more time enjoying the classic with the family.
Scroll on for our guide to Christmas shopping like a pro – and cement your status as the best Santa this holiday season.
How to do Christmas shopping like a winner
Prepare a list of Christmas gift recipients
Make a list and check it twice:
It’s not just Santa who needs a list during the holidays. To keep yourself on track, start by creating a clear Christmas shopping list. Divide your list into three groups: In-house family members, friends and colleagues, and loved ones who live far away.
Sleigh your Christmas spending budget and when to shop:
Research what Christmas gift to get them and how much to spend on each person. This list can also help you decide when to buy which gifts, and which need to be sent by mail to ensure timely arrivals.
Find gift ideas that even get Santa’s approval
Make your merry meaningful. Research each present’s quality and tailor your gift ideas to suit the recipient perfectly. Many retailers offer curated gift guides, organised by category, age or budget, making it easy to discover the ideal present with just a few clicks.
Whether you're following the four-gift rule for Christmas (something they want, need, wear, and read), selecting a hobby-related item, creating an element of surprise, or spoiling them on an unforgettable trip, it's all about choosing gifts that resonate with their personal interests and style.
Keep organised during the holiday season
Armed with a well thought out list, you’ll dodge the chaos, save money and know exactly what to grab in-store and what to shop online. Stay cool, calm and collected during the holiday season – meaning there’s less time stressing and more time for festive fun.
Sign up for email notifications
Nothing is more merry than a markdown. Sign up for email notifications and follow your favourite websites to be first to know about any sales. Instant alerts mean you can snag the best deals and most coveted items before everyone else starts their holiday shopping.
Check out deal websites and apps
Turn a shopping spree into a sleigh ride of savings. Cashback websites like Cashrewards and ShopBack make it snow rewards by giving you a percentage back on purchases made through their tracked links. Plus, they often team up with your favourite brands like Adidas, ghd, Nike and more to offer exclusive deals. Whether looking for appliances, gaming consoles or the latest tech, these websites can point you in the direction of the best sales.
And don’t stop there. Big names like Mecca, T2, Dan Murphy’s and Myer release Christmas hampers or gift sets packed with extra value – a perfect way to get more for your money. You might even find exclusive offers or surprise bonus gifts underneath their proverbial tree, making your holiday shopping even sweeter.
Make the Most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times when retailers share the joy – before theChristmas chaos really starts to set in. This sale period is your ticket to scoring gifts at the fraction of the price and tackling your Christmas shopping list early. With discounts on everything from tech gadgets to fashion, you might be left with extra cash for Christmas spending, festive cocktails or a cheeky treat for yourself.
So why wait for the holiday rush when you can shop smart, save big and tick everyone off your list before the big day?
Beware of Grinchy scammers and phishing
With Black Friday and massive sales around the corner, Aussies are gearing up for incredible deals – and the scammers? They’re lying in wait, ready to pounce. As online shopping and Christmas spending ramps up, it’s a prime opportunity for fraudsters. So, while you’re hunting for bargains, they’re looking for their next victim.
Stay sharp, or you might find yourself on the wrong side of a ‘deal’.
Scam victims can be anyone
Between January and September 2024, Australians lost a staggering $208 million to 198,126 scams, as reported by Scamwatch.
However, these figures likely underestimate the true scale of the problem. In 2022, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed that only around 13% of scams were reported, with many Australians choosing not to come forward due to embarrassment.
How to stay safe:
Think twice about clicking a link: Scammers are experts at making their emails or texts look like they’re from your bank or your favourite store. Instead of rushing to click a link, take an extra moment to type in the official website address and navigate from there. It’s worth the extra step just for peace of mind.
Stick to official sites: Keep an eye on those web addresses. If something feels off – like a weird URL or unexpected pop-up ad – don’t keep shopping there.
Choose a secure payment method: Services like PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay are your online BFFs, offering an extra layer of security and traceability. For added protection, you could even set up a separate account for online purchases, limiting the potential damage if something does go wrong.
Do your homework: If you’re eyeing a new site, do a little detective work first. Search for the same products on reputable sites, and check reviews. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if a deal seems just too good to be true – it probably is.
Pause before you buy: If an email or message sparks an immediate urge to shop, take a deep breath. Impulse buying under pressure can lead to mistakes, so give yourself a moment to think it through before making a decision.
Smooth Christmas shopping with Superloop
As the holiday season draws closer and closer, there are plenty of tasks to do, from decking the halls to organising festive gatherings. While it’s tempting to put things off, avoid the stress of last-minute rushes by getting your ‘nice’ list sorted now. With rising costs, many of us are opting for simpler, more budget-friendly celebrations – so careful planning is more important than ever.
Whether hunting down that golden gift or making Christmas wishes come true, the last thing you want is your internet slowing you down. Slow loading times and buffing times can quickly drain that holiday cheer.
With Superloop’s fast, reliable internet, you can make your Christmas shopping smooth, seamless and stress-free – snapping up the best deals in no time. No matter what the festive season throws your way, secure those deals without a hitch. And with the footprint to upgrade from your slow copper service to NBN’s FTTP expanding, there’s never been a better time to upgrade.
Superloop’s NBN fast internet plans:
Discover Superloop’s range of plans that go all the way up to 1 Gbps, designed to match every household’s vibe and need. There's a plan for every type of family, from fast and reliable options perfect for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping and streaming holiday classics to lightning-fast speeds for multitaskers and gamers. Plus, with our My Speed Boost feature, selected plans can enjoy up to five free Speed Upgrade Days per month, giving you even more flexibility to power through the silly season with ease.
See Black Friday deal T&Cs.
See My Speed Boost T&Cs.
Save even more with Superloop’s NBN & SIM-only plans
Why not double the convenience and savings this holiday season? Combine your Superloop SIM plan with their NBN service, and you can save up to $15 on your monthly broadband bill (*T&Cs apply).
