I went Christmas shopping at the Swan Centre in Yardley & got loads of bargains

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.

The 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.

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.