Online Christmas Shopping: Clever Ways to Save Big This Year

By Sally Love — Nov 23, 2025

5MIN READ

Online Christmas shopping has become the unofficial sport of December — especially for mums who don’t have the time, energy, or desire to drag kids through crowded shopping centres while carols play at a volume no human asked for. The beauty of doing your Christmas buying online is that it gives you room to breathe, compare, plan, and actually enjoy the process instead of sweating your way through packed aisles. And with the right tricks up your sleeve, you can score better prices, avoid overwhelm, and feel like the savvy queen you are.

Below is your guide to making online Christmas shopping easier, cheaper, and far more joyful.

Why Online Christmas Shopping Is a Mum’s Secret Superpower

Christmas shopping traditionally meant loading up the car, wrestling for a parking spot, dodging sales staff, and herding children while whispering “please behave” through clenched teeth. Online Christmas shopping, however, flips the script entirely. You can shop at 10 pm in your comfiest pyjamas, with no queues, no pressure, and no judgement about how much chocolate you’ve eaten.

Here’s why mums adore it:

Easier Price Comparison for Online Christmas Shopping

Gone are the days of visiting five different stores to compare prices. Google now does it for you in seconds. Type in the gift, tap “Shopping,” and you’ll instantly see the price, shipping cost, and availability across multiple retailers. It’s the most stress-free way to avoid paying more than you need to.

More Stock and Better Variety

Online retailers pull their stock from giant warehouses, which means fewer empty shelves and a bigger range to choose from. Instead of driving across town to hunt down a specific toy or gadget, you can find it online and have it shipped straight to your door.

Exclusive Online Specials and Discounts

Retailers want you to shop online — so they lure you in with juicy digital-only deals. These include:

online-only discount codes
bundle offers
surprise promos
loyalty benefits

When you find something in-store, it’s absolutely worth checking online to see if you can grab it cheaper.

No Pushy Salespeople (Bless)

Sometimes you just don’t have the energy for a forced “Hello! How’s your day going?” followed by a persuasive pitch. Online Christmas shopping lets you browse at your own pace, in silence, with nobody trying to upsell you to a deluxe bundle you never needed.

Online Christmas Shopping Offers Unmatched Convenience

No parking dramas, no crowds. No screaming toddlers (unless they’re yours, in which case snacks solve everything)—just a smooth shopping experience from start to finish — most with free or low-cost delivery.

Online Christmas Shopping: Clever Ways to Save Big This Year

Money-Saving Hacks for Online Christmas Shopping

You’re already saving time and sanity — now let’s save you money too.

1. Use the “Shopping Cart Tease” Trick

One of the cheekiest hacks in online Christmas shopping:
Add an item to your cart, stay logged in… and walk away.

Retailers hate abandoned carts. Many will email you a discount code or a special offer to tempt you back. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s delicious.

2. Grab a Free Amazon Prime Trial

Amazon Prime gives you:

super-fast shipping
free delivery
access to Prime deals
bonus ebooks, games, and shows

And the best bit? The free 30-day trial. Time it perfectly for your Christmas shopping period, enjoy the perks, and cancel before the month ends if it’s not for you.

3. Use the Honey App to Find Hidden Discounts

Honey is one of the best tools for online Christmas shopping because it:

finds lower prices for the same item
alerts you when a similar product is cheaper
automatically applies coupon codes at checkout

It does the mental load so you don’t have to.

4. Read the Product Reviews (Properly)

A five-star average means nothing if the reviews are from 2018. Always check:

recent reviews
detailed comments
feedback on delivery and returns
signs of fake reviews

Use tools like Fakefind.ai to help you avoid dodgy sellers and misleading ratings.

5. Clear Your Browser History Before Going Online Christmas Shopping

Yes, it’s spooky… but prices can increase if a website notices you’ve been viewing the same item repeatedly. Clearing your browsing history or shopping in “incognito mode” helps you appear as a brand-new customer, preventing price hikes.

A little dramatic? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

6. Keep an Eye on Amazon Lightning Deals

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you get early access to Lightning Deals — short-term, heavily discounted items that sell out fast. You can also “Watch the Deal” and get notified before it goes live. Perfect for snapping up bargains before the rest of the world realises.

7. Pay Safely and Protect Yourself

Avoid using your debit card for online Christmas shopping.
Here’s why:

Debit cards offer less protection if something goes wrong.
Credit cards often include purchase protection.
PayPal adds another layer of security without exposing your card details.
Using a dedicated “online only” card helps keep your savings safe.

Online gift buying should be fun, not financially risky.

Why Online Christmas Shopping Is a Mum’s Secret Superpower

Extra Clever Tips for Stress-Free Online Christmas Shopping

Because every little bit helps.

8. Sign Up for Store Newsletters (Then Unsubscribe Later)

Retailers often give a first-time sign-up discount code.
Grab the deal, make your purchase, and feel free to unsubscribe afterwards.

9. Use Price Trackers

Websites and apps like CamelCamelCamel and PriceHipster show a product’s price history, so you know whether you’re buying at the best time — or whether you should wait a little longer.

10. Check Delivery Dates Early

Nothing stings quite like a package arriving on the 27th. Trust me, I've been there.

When doing online Christmas shopping, always check:

estimated delivery
dispatch times
seller location
Christmas cut-off dates

Order early, avoid heartbreak.

11. Don’t Forget Cashback Sites

Cashback platforms reward you for simply clicking through their links before you shop. It might only be a few dollars each time, but it really adds up in December.

12. Keep a Running List of What You’ve Bought

Because we’ve all forgotten we purchased something online at 11 pm and ended up double-buying. A simple note on your phone keeps the whole thing tidy and budget-friendly.

Make Online Christmas Shopping Your New Holiday Tradition

With the right approach, online Christmas shopping becomes less of a chore and more of a clever mum superpower — saving you time, money, and mental load. You get the best prices, the biggest selection, and the freedom to choose gifts in a calm, comfy environment (bonus points if you’re doing it with a cuppa and a quiet house).

This year, give yourself the gift of ease. You deserve it.