But there’s something about the festive lights and music of a Yuletide shopping trip that really gets you in the mood for the holiday.
And at the LDO – London Designer Outlet – in Wembley Park there are more than 80 stores offering discounts of up to 70% on high street prices.
Coming down the steps at Wembley Park tube station, the whole neighbourhood is lit up for the season, with lights strung outside the famous stadium and music arena, and a huge Christmas tree.
Armed with a strict budget and a long list, I ventured into the outlet’s shopping street and soon came across a jolly Santa and his elf in customer services who gamely posed for a photo and listened to my Christmas wishes.
The LDO is brilliant for beauty brands. The Body Shop has all but disappeared from high streets but here you can bag incredible bargains and the staff are super helpful.
I collected a hand cream, body wash and passionfruit spray for £15 before moving onto Rituals, where once again the you can find gorgeous gifts for a third less than the usual prices in the calm setting of its outlet store.
A candle, a body mousse and a body scrub mitt set me back just over £20 and I got to try out some lovely hand washes at the sink. Bargain!
At the Cosmetics Company Store there are limited selections on huge brands such as Jo Malone, Mac, Clinique, Too Faced and Bobbi Brown – with an extra 25% off for Black Friday.
A Clinique lip gloss and a Jo Malone body wash came in at a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere – affordable luxury for £30.
The LDO is also brilliant for sportswear, with brands including Nike, Adidas, North Face, Converse, Vans, Puma, and New Balance. I bagged tracksuit bottoms in the Nike store for 50% off at £40 and two T-shirts in Converse for under £20.
My final trip was to M&S for some snuggly Christmas pyjamas and packs of pants and socks. This came in at £25, reaching my self imposed limit.
The LDO has plenty of places to relax for a bite to eat once you are done – from TFI Fridays to Wagamama, Zizzi, Pizza Express, and Nando’s.
In fact anyone celebrating their birthday in December or January could bag themselves a free LDO VIB party pack complete with helium balloon, crowns and a £5 gift voucher for the birthday girl or boy.
The first 30 to book quoting LDO PARTY KIDS or LDO PARTY ADULTS with ID proving they have a birthday in those months can also be in line for offers such as discounts on food, free menu items or a bottle of prosecco.
There’s 40% off Frankie & Benny’s , free prosecco, nachos or churros from Las Iguanas , a free bento per party at Wagamama, or complimentary fudge brownie for the birthday VIP from Afrikana.
Find out more about The Birthday Takeback or the range of shops at LDO from londondesigneroutlet.com
