A Guide to Tackling Christmas Shopping in Oxford

It may seem like Halloween was only yesterday, but the bombardment of jingling bells, fake snow and choruses of children can mean only one thing; Christmas is coming. With the pressure of pre-holiday exams and dwindling funds, students are on the look-out for a simple, quick way to get everything ticked off the shopping list at minimal cost and minimal effort.

Oxford city centre has pretty much every type of shop imaginable; from mainstream department stores to quirky boutiques, you can find most things you need without having to travel too far. Poundland is a great place to find cheap joke gifts for Secret Santa, while the covered market is worth a visit if you’re looking for something unique. Without the expense of travelling into London, Oxford allows you to stock up on presents relatively quickly and easily.

However, shopping in city centre stores during the festive season means that you are unlikely to find a bargain. On a tight budget, it’s best to shop around and this isn’t always possible in a big city with tourists to attract. Online shopping is a great alternative with no bags to drag around, and no closing times to worry about. For a student with deadlines and a need for convenience, I find the prospect of hassle-free one-click shopping attractive. When living in halls, having packages delivered can be problematic- especially if you have a less than friendly relationship with your flatmates. So, to avoid any complicated exchanges over forgotten parcels or ignored doorbells, it is best to keep online purchases small and letterbox-friendly.

We are lucky enough to live very close to one of the biggest outlet shopping villages in the UK. Bicester Village is a half-hour train ride away from Oxford station, and costs less than £2 for a return with a railcard (a student necessity). With a plethora of designer boutiques, it makes for a great day out with friends and a brilliant shopping experience.

Bicester Village is always packed, especially during the festive season, so it is best to avoid Saturdays if possible. In my experience, the downsides to a day in Bicester come in the form of three things. Firstly, the queues for the bigger boutiques are a nightmare (especially UGG and Jack Wills) and the crowds inside are no better. Second, the prices may not be as low as you would expect. Thirdly, tourists like to stare and wander aimlessly around which may become a problem if, like me, you are a shopper on a mission.

Whether it is your first or your fifth holiday season at Brookes, shopping for gifts never gets any easier. It’s best just to bite the bullet and dedicate a day to getting it all done, so that you can get back to studying (or watching Come Dine With Me re-runs). Saving money is easy if you have the time for home-made gifts (a new Mix CD for mum, a favourite photo in a customised frame for a friend), but the magical experience of shopping at Christmas in Oxford is something not to be missed.