I went Christmas shopping at the Swan Centre in Yardley & got loads of bargains
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I love Christmas. It’s my favourite time of the year. The lights, the music, the German Market. But there’s one thing I don’t like: the crowds.
That’s why this year, I decided to get ahead of the festive rush and buy some presents early. I headed to the Swan Shopping Centre in Yardley just as the shops began to open.
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Hide AdThe centre opened in Spring 2012 and last year celebrated its 10th anniversary, although locals will know that the site has been a shopping centre since the early 1960s. With 23 shops, a Tesco Extra and a gym, the centre is popular with locals despite a decline in high street shopping amid rising inflation and the cost of living.
Peter Hardingham, Centre Manager at The Swan Shopping Centre said: “We’ve seen a busy few months at The Swan, despite the impact of the cost of living crisis. As a community centre offering a wide choice of retailers, we haven’t seen a significant impact on footfall.”
Peter says that the centre is already seeing a strong start to the festive season. Tenants are reporting a strong start to the festive period, with many spreading the cost of their Christmas shopping, so we’re looking forward to a busy couple of months ahead!” he said.


After grabbing some food, I headed into Tesco, where by chance, they were having a quiet hour for customers who prefer a more relaxed shopping experience. I browsed the book section and found two lovely titles for my two-year-old nephew: “Find Spot at Christmas” and “Dear Santa”. They were on offer for 2 for £7 with the Tesco Clubcard, so I grabbed them quickly.
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Next, I looked for some stocking fillers for my dad, who always loses his keys. I spotted a handy keyfinder for only £5, which I thought was a perfect gift for him.


Nearby, I saw some Yankee Candle wax burners, which caught my eye. My mom loves candles and scents around the home, so I picked one for £18. It looks like it’s good quality and not one you would need to hide away when not in use.


As the shop started to get busier, I headed to the tills and continued my bargain hunt in Peacocks. Although there weren’t a lot of gift-worthy items, I did find some big, woolly festive slipper socks for £8. They looked cosy and warm, and I thought they would be ideal for my grandmother, who always complains about cold feet.


Finally, I headed to Poundland, where I knew I could find some bargains and treats. There were plenty of bodywash gift sets and stocking fillers to choose from, but I decided to get a Nivea men’s gift set for £6 for my brother. It contained shower gel, face wash, and deodorant, all in a stylish blue box.
I got five lovely gifts in less than an hour and only spent £44. In the future, I will definitely start getting gifts earlier.
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