With just a little under nine weeks until December 25, many Brits will be well underway with their Christmas shopping in a bid to spread the cost over the next two pay packets.
There are lots of ways to try and save a bit of money on gifts this year, from scaling back who you need to buy for, to scouting out discount codes on the internet. But one of my favourite ways to save some serious money and stretch my budget is a trip to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
With more than 140 stores all in one place selling a variety of brands, you can get the majority of your ‘big gifts’ bought in one go - and there are plenty of stocking fillers to be found, too.
READ MORE: Cheshire Oaks announces major discount during opening hours change next week
This half term, I headed up to Ellesmere Port’s famous designer outlet - which is less than an hour from Manchester city centre - and set out to find some of the best deals and offers that could come in handy over the next few months.
The first main benefit that saves a LOT of money is that fact that the McArthurGlen shopping village offers free parking, meaning you can browse all day long without worrying about you ticket running out, or that it’s going to add £20 to your total days spend when it’s time to come home.
Parking on the multi-story, we make our way clockwise around the village, weaving in and out of shops hunting high and low for the best offers, and here are some of the best I found.
Joules
Joules wellies are the perfect gift for this time of year, and as the proud owner of dogs who love a muddy walk, they’re an essential. I’ve often dropped on a discount code online or had a gift voucher to spend previously, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen them as cheap as I did in the outlet.
A pair of the leopard print wellies were originally £59.95, but were better than half price down to £24.95 in store. There was also a matching rain mac for the same price, perfect for those who have got festival tickets for 2023.
Hotel Chocolat
Have you even been to Cheshire Oaks if you don’t go to Hotel Chocolat for the free sample? The luxury chocolate brand’s Velvetiser device is often at the top of people’s Christmas lists, but naturally in the run up to Christmas, it’s currently out of stock online.
The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser starter kit is usually £113.45, and comes with the Velvetiser device, two pod cups and a 10 sachet selection box. At the designer outlet, you can get all of this for under £100, costing £99.95.
Whittard of Chelsea
Sticking with hot chocolate, in Whittard you can also sample some of their seasonal hot chocolate, including my favourite, gingerbread. Their tubs of luxury hot chocolates usually cost £9 each, but the more you buy, the more you save with their deal.
Two tubs of mix and match hot chocolate, or even instant tea (we got mulled wine flavoured), cost £12, or you can get four for £22. Those with big families can bag six for £30, which offers a total saving of £24.
Jeff Banks
I had to rub my eyes and take a double look when I saw the offer in Jeff Banks, which claimed that most things in store were covered by a ‘buy one, get one for £1’ deal. My partner had spotted a jacket for £104, but could have gotten two for £105.
There were, of course, some cheaper products in store, including jumpers between £30 and £40.
The best way to take advantage of this offer, though, is to buy two products for a similar price. So, instead of buying a £104 jacket and a £40 jumper and getting both for £105, you’ll want to opt for two jackets, or, bag two jumpers for £41.
The Beauty Outlet
At The Beauty Outlet you can find some outrageously low prices, as well as some amazing dupes, particularly on fragrance. Their perfume counter has a very handy guide that says ‘if you like [luxury perfume], then try [cheaper alternative], which helps you find similar smelling products for around £4-5 each.
A deal I took advantage of was the three for £20 on some of their more expensive brands, including Stila, KVD, Becca and Cover fx. I picked up a foundation, eyeshadow and lipstick from Becca, which was even better since the brand has been discontinued and you can’t really find it anywhere else. The offer could be mix and matched, too, so you could get yourself a real beauty haul or snap up some stocking fillers, with prices from as little as 99p.
Superdry
In the dimly lit Superdry store there are some big savings to be had on men and women’s sweats, where you can get any two, mix and match for £55 - essentially making them £27.50 each.
Most Superdry hoodies have an RRP of £49.99, and one I saw had an outlet price of £34.99, saving just under £15 on the outlet price and £45 on the outlet price.
There were lots of styles to choose from, and with the cold weather, they’re ideal for wearing in the house to avoid nudging the thermostat up as they are SO warm.
Levi’s
I’m a big fan of Levi’s jeans and typically don’t wear anything else. They’re exceptional quality and if properly looked after, can last you a lifetime, meaning your cost-per-wear will be pennies in no time.
The average RRP for a pair of Levi jeans is £110, but at the outlet, you can save £33 and get them for £77. But, there’s also a multi-buy offer on at the moment where you can get two pairs for £119 or three for £159. This takes the price down to £53 per pair, saving more than 50 per cent on the original price. Bargain.
Le Creuset
Everyone knows how popular Le Creuset have become in recent years, and while I’ve seen the odd TikTok video of people discovering them in charity shops, I don’t think I’d ever be so lucky.
Their cast iron pumpkin casserole dish was originally £219. At the outlet, shoppers can snap one up for £153, which may still seem steep, but this cast iron crockery can be handed down through the generations. They make an amazing gift for new homeowners to inspire culinary creations.
The Cosmetics Company
I didn’t dare venture too far into The Cosmetics Company as my bank balance wouldn’t have thanked me for it, but you can pick up some fantastic offers on brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder.
For example, the best-selling Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation is usually £38, but you can pick it up at the outlet for £26.75.
They often have other stackable deals too, where you can save 20 per cent for buying multiple products. It’s well worth asking in store before you start filling your basket so that you can get the best deal.
Tomorrow, October 27, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be holding their late night shopping event which will see an additional 20 per cent off the outlet price at a number of brands.
From 9am to 10pm shoppers will have the opportunity to browse their favourite brands and take advantage of the additional discounts on a wide range of must-have items.
There will be savings at over 60 brands, including Furla, Calvin Klein, Pinko and The Cosmetics Company Store, as well as fashion favourites Ted Baker and Tommy Hilfiger.
Guests visiting the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet during the late night shopping event will also be able to enjoy a wide range of entertainment, including a special performance by Jordan Phillips, as seen on ITV’s The Voice. For younger guests visiting the centre, face painting artists will be ready to delight all day at Guest Services, with drop-ins available from 10am until 6pm.
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