Considering braving the bedlam of Boxing Day this year? Sarah Stefanson tells you how to make it as simple as possible.The gifts have been opened, the dinner devoured and kids of all ages are busy playing with their brand new Christmas gifts.  The day after Christmas is a great time to sit back, relax and finish off the pumpkin pie.  Or you could line up with other ravenous shoppers to get the best deals of the year on everything you didn’t get from your Christmas wish list.

Every year, the day after Christmas sees some brave souls enduring the chaos to get their Boxing Day sale items.  No longer content with just one day, nearly every retail store in Canada now provides deep discounts on goods ranging from cosmetics to electronics for the entire week starting December 26.  So how do you get in on the great deals without losing your mind?

Start Early

Many stores, especially online vendors, feature Early Boxing Week Sales, offering cheaper prices on goods before Christmas Day. They may not be the remarkable prices that will start on the 26th, but you can still count on some good discounts.

Do Your Research

If you’re going to wait for post-Christmas sales, do some research beforehand.  Check out your favourite store’s websites and make a list of your most wanted items.  If getting online isn’t possible, most major retailers publish special Boxing Week flyers featuring their best deals.  You might even consider visiting the store in question to make mental notes of the store layout and the location of the items on your list.  Knowing what you want and where to find it before you get to the store will save a lot of time and trouble.  You should be able to get in and out in no time.

Line Up

If you’re really desperate to get the best stuff at the best prices, you might consider lining up before the stores open.  Some shoppers start queuing up as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Boxing Day.  However, with the extension of a day into a week, the deals will probably last long enough for you not to have to brave the chilly night air or the inevitable fights over the last discounted iPod on the shelf.

Forget About Returns

Don’t even think about trying to take back that second copy of Sex and the City: Season 1 until after the new year.  Due to the pandemonium of Boxing Week, most retailers will not even accept returns until January.  Boxing Week is for shopping, returns will have to wait.

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bountiful boxes

There are many theories as to the origins of the name Boxing Day.  The term may refer to the opening of church poor boxes the day after Christmas or it may allude to the earthenware boxes that boy apprentices used to collect money from their master’s clients.  Some say the boxes are the ones that you pack up your Christmas decorations in for another year.

You should carefully consider whether it’s worth leaving the comfort of a home filled with family, delicious treats and new presents to play with in order to fight your way through the mobs at the stores.  In New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, the decision is made for you since most retail stores are not permitted to open on Boxing Day.  The rest of us will have to weight the pros and cons.