How to buy Christmas presents early, without the last-minute panic
, 4 min read
Every November you promise yourself the same thing: this year you'll buy your Christmas presents early. And every year you end up in a packed shopping centre on 23 December, picking from whatever's left, or paying for express delivery on something that might not arrive. Then, in Spain, comes Reyes (Three Kings' Day, on 6 January, when many presents are given), and it all happens again.
To buy Christmas presents early you don't need more willpower. You need to turn "before Christmas" into a specific date for each present, with proof that it's bought. Here's how, step by step.
Why we never buy Christmas presents early
"Before Christmas" feels far away until one day you realise it's next week. Meanwhile, every day has something more urgent than thinking about your brother-in-law's present.
On top of that, almost all of us misjudge how long things will take. In a study on the planning fallacy, students working on their final-year thesis estimated 34 days on average. They took 55, more even than they had predicted for the worst case. Presents work the same way: "I'll look one day and that's it" turns into three afternoons, two shops and an order that doesn't arrive.
Step 1: a list with one date per present
A single deadline for everything ("before the 20th") gets put off all at once. One date per present gets done one at a time.
| Who it's for | When you give it | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Your mum | Christmas Eve | 5 December |
| Your partner | Christmas Day | 10 December |
| Office Secret Santa (in a shop) | Work Christmas dinner | 12 December |
| Nieces and nephews | Reyes (6 January) | 20 December |
Put the hardest presents, or the ones that need delivery, first. The easy ones can go last, but they get a date too.
Step 2: bring the dates forward more than you think
In December deliveries run late, sizes sell out and shops fill up. If a present is coming by post, set its deadline at least two weeks before the day you give it. And in Spain many presents are for Reyes: 6 January also comes round sooner than it seems, straight after the holidays.
Black Friday as a deadline
This year Black Friday falls on 27 November. If you already know what you want to give, it's a good deadline for the expensive presents: a lower price and plenty of time for delivery. If you don't know yet, don't buy for the sake of it. Use that day to finish the list.
Step 3: a photo as proof
"I've nearly got it" doesn't count. What counts is the present, bought. When you have it, take a photo of it in the bag or already wrapped.
The goal changes from "think about Mum's present" to "have a photo of Mum's present before the 5th". The first can drag on for weeks. The second either happens or it doesn't.
Step 4: make failing cost something
If dates aren't enough, put a small price on missing them. The simplest way is to do it with someone: tell your partner or a friend that they keep €5 if you don't have their present by the 10th. It works like a reminder that weighs a little more than a calendar alert.
When you don't need this much method
- If you only buy for two or three people, one afternoon in November is enough.
- If the problem is money rather than time, set a budget per person first, then the dates.
After the presents, the resolutions
If you manage to buy your presents early, you've already tried the whole method: a date, a photo and a small price for failing. It's exactly what January resolutions need, and starting in December gives you a two-week head start. We explain it in how to keep your New Year's resolutions.
How we do it at Ultimatum
Ultimatum is the app we're building to help you do what you promise yourself, at the time you said. For example: "buy Mum's present on Saturday before 13:00". You choose the time and the amount, and you prove it with a photo taken there and then. If you keep your word, you get your money back.
The app isn't out yet. If you'd like to try it as soon as it's ready, join the beta below.