LIMPOPO – The festive season, filled with kindness, quality time with loved ones, and much-needed relaxation, is quickly replaced by back-to-school excitement when January arrives.

As consumers shift gears from the holiday period to the new year’s back-to-school rush, it is important for parents to know that there are budget-friendly shopping options available that can help them prepare without overspending.

Shop early to avoid high prices and long queues

Parents do not have to wait until January to purchase stationery and uniforms.

When schools close, most provide parents with stationery lists for the coming year, allowing them to shop during the holidays when prices are often lower.

The same applies to school uniforms. Many clothing retailers, such as Pep, Ackermans, Jet, Express Stores, Edgars, and Woolworths, begin stocking school uniforms by mid-December, making it the ideal time to buy.

Shopping early also helps parents avoid the long queues that form in January.

Compare options

However, if you do find yourself buying items in January, comparing prices online and across different stores can save a few rands.

The same approach applies to stationery. While ordering a stationery box through your child’s school may seem like the obvious and convenient choice, it is not the only option, and it may include items you do not need.

Take control by shopping around at your local mall or online stores and choosing the items that best suit you and your child.

A survey by The Herald showed that online stationery shopping can offer significant savings.

Kulani Khosa, a mother of two boys, says that she prefers buying stationery and uniforms in December when she receives her year-end bonus, helping her avoid the January back-to-school rush.