Town Topics with Ipswich Central

The long, hot (well, maybe not!) summer has now finished and, like so many other parents, we have now sent our children back to school. Did I hear other parents letting out a tiny scream of delight?

Is it an age thing, or does time genuinely pass more quickly now?

Apart from the half term, the next main school holiday will be for Christmas.

It only seems a few days ago that we last packed away the tinsel and decorations. Where did we put those left over crackers that we said we would use next year because “nobody would ever notice”?

Every year I am reminded by retailers that my habit of waiting until the last moment before the big day to shop for my presents with them is a bad idea; not least because it is a myth that, by doing so, I save myself lots of time and money.

What actually happens in most cases is that I cannot find the thing I decided to buy someone months ago when shops were stocked full. So, almost inevitably, I end up spending twice as long to buy an alternative gift that then costs me twice as much.

After the summer, shops start to bring in wonderful new stocklines. Why do you think the newest mobile phone always comes out in the Autumn and then, when we want to buy one just before Christmas, we are told that we will need to wait until January as they are ‘sold out’? They are not stupid these retailers; they are targeting the more discerning shoppers, the ones that plan ahead.

So, a tip from our retailers – think ahead, spread the cost of Christmas by starting to buy early (maybe one gift each week), enjoy the choice and save yourself lots of hassle.

I certainly don’t like to see Christmas decorations in shops in September, but their advice is sound.

Do you fancy a small bet on whether I bump into you in the shops on Christmas Eve?

Paul Clement

Ipswich Central